OAKWOOD, GA. — Wayne-Sanderson Farms and Vestwell, a financial technology company, are teaming up to deliver a savings program for the poultry processor’s 2,000-plus farm partners. Farmers working with Wayne-Sanderson Farms can participate in a Group of Plans (GoP) retirement program powered by Vestwell and tailored to fit their individual needs.

The Vestwell platform enables Wayne-Sanderson to offer its network of farmers a scalable, efficient and affordable savings program to more easily save for retirement, according to the company. To support the program, Wayne-Sanderson appointed a select group of farmers to serve on a dedicated committee tasked with overseeing the execution of the program.

“This committee will play an integral role in ensuring that the program is implemented in a way that directly addresses the needs of its farmers and delivers value to the farming community,” the company said.

Citing US Department of Agriculture data, Wayne-Sanderson noted that while many farmers have some sort of retirement nest egg, their balances are lower than the national average. And many face financial uncertainty without structured savings options, such as retirement, emergency and education savings.

The Vestwell platform makes saving for retirement easier and more affordable by lowering administrative costs and simplifying the process for both farmers and employers. This initiative reflects a growing movement to extend financial benefits to historically underserved industries, according to Wayne-Sanderson.

“At Wayne-Sanderson Farms, we care about the well-being of the farmers who play an integral role in our process to deliver the best quality chicken to the marketplace,” said Jeremy Kilburn, chief legal and compliance officer of Wayne-Sanderson Farms. “Our partnership with Vestwell has allowed us to create an opportunity for our farmers to be able to plan for their future. We are proud to support their ability to save for retirement with confidence and peace of mind.”

Founded by Aaron Schumm in 2016, Vestwell provides services to nearly 1.5 million savers across more than 350,000 businesses nationwide, with over $30 billion in assets under management. Vestwell provides various workplace savings solutions, including retirement plans, student loan repayment benefits, and specialized accounts for education, emergencies and disability savings.

“Farmers are at the heart of our country, yet they’ve often been overlooked when it comes to retirement savings,” said Schumm, chief executive officer of Vestwell. “At Vestwell, our goal is to ensure hardworking Americans, including those in agriculture, have the opportunity to build financial security.

“Our partnership with Wayne-Sanderson Farms is an important step in providing farmers with the support they deserve.”