FCC receives Canada’s first agriculture data privacy and security certification

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) AgExpert software users can sleep easy at night knowing their farm operations and business data won’t be used or accessed by anyone without their permission.
FCC has become the first Canadian company to receive the Ag Data Transparent (ADT) seal for its commitment to safeguarding farmers’ data. By certifying with ADT – a U.S.-based, not-for-profit company – FCC assures its software users transparency with all collected data.

"Transparency and integrity are fundamental to what we do," said Fred Wall, FCC marketing vice-president. "We want our customers, the producers, to know we are taking this seriously. Third-party verification shows they can trust us with their information."

FCC’s farm management software, AgExpert, was certified under ADT’s evaluation for companies that engage in the collection of agricultural data. It means FCC is committed to industry-wide principles, including transparency in data collection, access, use, portability, availability and retention.

The commercial Crown corporation recently released its new web-based version AgExpert Field and is expected to launch a web-based version of FCC’s farm financial software, AgExpert Accounting, in the near future. AgExpert Field now enables producers to record, share and analyze field data, such as inputs, yields and field conditions – right from their mobile phone.

"The ADT process is solid and simple, just like our software. It tells our producers exactly how we handle their data, what we do with it and who has access to it," Wall said. "Data transparency is top of mind for our customers and it’s a priority for us.”

ADT is built off of the privacy and security principles for farm data; a multi-company, multi-organization created document to protect farmers in today’s big-data market. Only companies that meet all core principles regarding collection, access and ownership are awarded the certified seal.

"For ag-tech companies, the ADT process requires considerable commitment in terms of time and resources," said Karen Hand, Director of Canada Digital Agri-Food (CDAF). "As the first Canadian company to become ADT certified, FCC exemplifies incredible leadership in demonstrating their commitment to Canadian farmers as a farm-first organization — a value shared across the Canadian ag-tech landscape."

"All the companies and organizations that designed Ag Data Transparent understood the need for transparency and trust in the ag precision sector,” said Todd Janzen, ADT administrator. “They knew that data and analysis will continue to change and improve agriculture, but that the producer deserves to work with credible data partners."

"Certification shows a commitment to the producers, the backbone of the ag industry," Janzen added.

Learn more about FCC's software management solutions at fcc.ca/agexpertfield