Accomplished Under 40 – Miguel Villafana

Senior Commercial Lender and Vice President/Co-Owner and Operator – Zions Bank/Villafana Farms, LLC

Miguel Villafana has proven himself a rare combination of financial acumen and hands-on agricultural expertise that has made him a leader in Idaho’s banking and farming communities. As vice president and senior commercial and agricultural relationship manager at Zions Bank, he has used his unique perspective as both a banker and farmer to help agricultural businesses thrive.

As a child, he worked alongside his father on a farm in Aberdeen, Idaho, which instilled a lifelong passion for agriculture that eventually led him to pursue a degree in Agribusiness from Utah State University. After graduating in 2012, he launched his career as a banker focused on helping young and beginning farmers access capital.

Since joining Zions Bank, Villafana has been instrumental in growing the bank’s agricultural portfolio, increasing his personal loan portfolio by 122% in just one year. His colleagues value his willingness to share knowledge.

“Miguel’s unique blend of financial acumen, deep understanding of agriculture, and unwavering commitment to his clients and community make him an ideal candidate for the Idaho Business Review’s Accomplished Under 40 award,” said Robert Bischoff, executive vice president at Zions Bank.

In 2019, Villafana and his wife Camas took a significant step toward realizing his lifelong dream by purchasing a 20-acre farm in Wilder, Idaho. Starting with 10% down and owner financing, they have steadily expanded their operation to now manage more than 500 acres.

“We’re proud of our rapid growth, which is unusual in the farming industry, especially for young farmers,” Villafana said. “According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, farmers and ranchers make up less than 2% of the U.S. population and less than 25% are considered young and beginning farmers.”

His achievements have earned him recognition from peers, including the prestigious Idaho Farm Bureau Achiever Award in 2024. But perhaps more meaningful is the impact he’s had on his community through leadership roles with the Canyon County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers, the Canyon County Planning and Zoning Commission and the Idaho Potato Growers Association.

As a first-generation Mexican-American whose father had only a sixth-grade education, Villafana has broken barriers and created opportunities not just for himself but for others in his community.

“I break barriers because I don’t set ceilings for myself. My determination and resilience break apart obstacles because I believe the sky is the limit,” he said.