As CEO of Farmers Electric Cooperative, I have the unique privilege of seeing firsthand what it takes to keep the lights on for our members. In April, we take time to pause and recognize the brave men and women who make that possible every single day—our lineworkers.

When storms impact our communities and outages occur, many people see an inconvenience, but our lineworkers see a call to action. Our crew is always ready when it matters most, even when it means leaving family dinners, working through the night and heading into challenging conditions to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. That readiness is not accidental. It comes from rigorous training, deep experience and a shared commitment to serving others.

One thing our cooperative is particularly proud of is supporting our apprentice linemen as they receive the education and on-the-job training needed to become journeymen. In recent months, three of our four apprentice linemen on staff successfully completed their apprenticeships. You’re in good hands when these skilled and experienced linemen head out for a day of building, maintaining or repairing our 1,801 miles of electric line to ensure your power is reliable.

We understand any time the lights go out can be frustrating, bringing everyday life to a halt. We are incredibly grateful to our members for your patience and encouragement during these times. Linework is demanding, physical, and at times, dangerous. Our crew approaches each job with a focus on safety and teamwork. They take pride in their craft and in the trust our members place in them.

On April 13, 2026, we will celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day, but one day is hardly enough. Every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and dedication, which are the backbone of our cooperative.