Speakers

Amanda Bahn-Ziegler is an Account Manager with Truterra, the sustainability business of the 100-year-old farmer-owned cooperative, Land O’Lakes. She has been involved in production agriculture her whole life, growing up on a small Wisconsin dairy farm and now living on her husband’s family farm in north-central Ohio. Prior to joining Truterra, she spent 7 years… Continue reading →

Becky Huttenga, a lifelong resident of Ottawa County, grew up as a 4-H kid on a 24-acre hobby farm in Spring Lake Township before heading off to Michigan State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Her passion for being the bridge between natural resources and agriculture began when she became… Continue reading →

Cara farms in Kalamazoo County with her Husband, Matt, and Matt’s uncle. Together they grow seed corn, commercial corn, soybeans, and cattle on 2,000 acres. Cara did not grow up on a farm but joined the operation in 2013 through marriage and has since become an integral part of the operation, alongside Matt and their… Continue reading →

Imagine a talk show host mixed with an Agricultural economist with a healthy dose of comedian.  That’s Damian Mason. Damian delivers crisp, current, Ag commentary intersected with humor.  His positive, hilarious, straight talk resonates with Ag audiences from across the spectrum. In addition to speaking at Ag meetings, Damian produces and hosts his own –… Continue reading →

Dave Mielnicki obtained achieved his certified general appraiser license in 2008. In April 2009 Dave joined the Southfield/Detroit office of CBRE where he went on to appraise a breadth of commercial real estate. Dave confirmed the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute in 2014. In January 2021 Dave resigned from CBRE after an 11-year tenure… Continue reading →

David Moll is a Row Crop Insurance Manager for GreenStone Farm Credit Services.  His focus is on working with row crop producers to help them get the most value from crop insurance, FSA Programs and Government Disaster Programs.  Corn and soybean growers face a number of financial risks in today’s market place from very high… Continue reading →

Devin Roth is a Senior Crop Insurance Specialist from GreenStone Farm Credit Services where he services row crop producers.  His focus is helping customer understand their financial risks and how to manage them.  Devin teaches how a crop insurance policy partnered with your grain marketing plan can help producers market their corn and soybeans when… Continue reading →

Dr. Hauvermale’s scientific training has provided an extensive combination of qualifications and expertise in plant molecular biology, protein biochemistry, seed physiology, genetics, and hormone signaling. In her current role as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Washington State University, she relies on integrated approaches to develop immunological tools… Continue reading →

Connor Sible is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois studying under advisement of Dr. Frederick E. Below. He received his BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Crop Sciences from the University of Illinois where his research has focused on categorizing biological products and in understanding where,… Continue reading →

Manni’s research, extension, and teaching program at MSU focuses on current and emerging issues in cropping systems of Michigan with an overall goal to improve the profitability and sustainability of these systems. Variety selection and improved management strategies are explored in the context of modern farming practices, climatic patterns, and economic conditions. Current research is… Continue reading →

Martin Chilvers is an Associate Professor at MSU, having earned his Bachelor of Agricultural Science with honors and Ph.D. from the University of Tasmania, Australia, with subsequent post-doctoral training at Washington State University. Dr. Chilvers’ leads a field crops pathology program encompassing both basic and applied research and extension. Dr. Chilvers’ program encompasses root, stem… Continue reading →

Fahimeh is the MiSTRIPS coordinator for the Long-term Ecological Research program at Michigan State University W. K. Kellogg Biological Station. She has worked in various fields within natural resources management including wildlife management, forestry, and education.

Gregg brings an unparalleled global perspective and economic expertise to the team. He works closely with members of the Executive Intelligence Network (EIN) and plays a major role in the development of its thought leadership priorities. Prior to joining Aimpoint Research, Gregg served in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative as Chief Agricultural Negotiator… Continue reading →

Heather Rindler grew up on a small dairy farm in Maria Stein, Ohio. After graduating high school, Heather went on to college to pursue a degree in agriculture. She graduated from Wilmington College with a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy with a minor in Chemistry in 2018. While in college, Heather had several internships that focused… Continue reading →

Horst Bohner has been the provincial Soybean Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs since 2001.  He works closely with producers and researchers to address soybean production issues.  His responsibilities include soybean field research, improving production techniques, and providing soybean information to Ontario growers.  Horst is past chair of the Ontario… Continue reading →

Jacob farms 1400 acres in Jackson County with his father and uncle. Together they grow corn, soybeans, and wheat. Jacob is a Pioneer seed dealer and serves on the Michigan Corn Growers Association board of directors.

Josh Linville is the Vice President of Fertilizer for StoneX Financial Inc. – FCM Division. Having grown up in Northwest Missouri on a family farm that raised row crops, tobacco and livestock, Josh brings a unique point of view to the fertilizer markets. With 20 years of experience in the fertilizer industry, Josh has operated… Continue reading →

Kelley Goldblatt is the Cybersecurity Advisor for Michigan with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). In this role, Ms. Goldblatt supports the mission of strengthening the cyber resilience and security of the nation’s critical infrastructure. Prior to joining CISA, Ms. Goldblatt worked for the State of Michigan as a member of the Michigan Cyber… Continue reading →

Marc Hasenick of Hasenick Brothers Farm located in Springport Michigan has incorporated prairie strips to improve the profitability of the farm.  The same data driven decision making that has allowed the farm to become efficient in seed and fertilizer use also allows for conservation practices to be adopted without risk of financial burden.

Mark Kies farms 3500 acres of corn, soybean, wheat, and cattle in Hillsdale County, Michigan. Mark farms alongside his son, Patrick and utilizes cover crops. Mark currently serves as the Hillsdale County president for the Michigan Corn Growers Association.

Michael Fraleigh specializes in Farm Business and Succession Planning, Estate & Trust Planning, and Asset Protection.  Michael grew up on a fourth-generation family farm and has a unique understanding of the financial and legal issues farmers and their families face. He draws on more than 30 years’ experience to provide his clients with solutions that… Continue reading →

Paul Jasa, Extension Engineer with the University of Nebraska, develops and conducts educational programs related to crop production that improve profitability, build soil health, and reduce risks to the environment.  He received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Nebraska and has been working with planting equipment and tillage… Continue reading →

Richard works with Dr. Bruno Basso’s lab at Michigan State University, specializing in precision ag tools like remote sensing and crop simulation modeling to enhance productivity and efficiency at the field scale.

Rob is from Harlan, Indiana, where he works at G&K Concepts. Rob has been a part of the Amplify Network for over four years. Rob’s entire professional career has been in the crop consulting industry. Rob handles the majority of the communication needs for Brookside Labs’ Conservation Innovation Grant field trials. He excels at explaining… Continue reading →

Ryan Olson is the Market Access Manager at the U.S. Soybean Export Council. Funded by the U.S. soybean checkoff, USDA FAS, and industry, USSEC focuses on differentiating, elevating preference, and attaining market access for the use of U.S. Soy for human consumption, aquaculture, and livestock feed in 80+ countries internationally. At USSEC, Ryan works to… Continue reading →

Stephanie Smith M.S., C.C.A., from Michigan State University in Crop and Soil Science.  Held various agronomy and innovative roles within Monsanto, DuPont Pioneer, 360 Yield Center and now currently as Golden Harvest District Manager in Michigan and Ohio.  Farming with her family in southern Hillsdale County, MI, each day is a mission to make the… Continue reading →