Join us on Wednesday, December 4, for the Council’s Annual Meeting at the Grand Street Café, featuring Mike Seyfert of the National Grain and Feed Association. With the dynamic political landscape in D.C., we look forward to Mike’s insights into the new administration and its potential impacts.

Mike Seyfert has served as President and CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association since March 2021. Immediately prior to joining NGFA, he served seven years with FMC Corporation as the Director of Government and Industry Affairs North America. Prior to FMC he served 16 years working on Capitol Hill for former U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, including serving two years as the Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. 

Mike is a graduate of Kansas State University and The George Washington University. He was the fourth generation raised on his family farm in Kansas. He and his wife, Christy Seyfert, maintain an active interest in the farm today with crops including hay, soybeans, sorghum, and wheat. Christy serves as the Executive Director of Government Affairs for the American Soybean Association in Washington, DC. They have two daughters, Sydney and Madison. 

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted by email at least 7 days prior to the scheduled event. No refunds or credits will be provided within 7 days of the event. This policy applies to all circumstances including illness. Registrations are transferable - please email to make arrangements for substitution in advance.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is pleased to again be holding the November monthly meeting in conjunction with the Agriculture Future of America's annual Leaders Conference at the Sheraton Crown Center. Join AFA Board members for breakfast featuring Elizabeth Fastiggi, Global Head, Agri-food at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Her remarks will focus on the intersection of agriculture and technology, especially artificial intelligence.

Elizabeth guides strategy for the industry and partners with agriculture customers on transformative initiatives that align digital innovation with their business vision. She is motivated everyday by the opportunity to create solutions across the sector that create a healthier, transparent, and more inclusive food system for all.

Prior to AWS, Elizabeth led Market Development at Indigo Agriculture and Business Development at Farmers Business Network. Previously, Elizabeth was a private equity investor with GE Capital and Ziff Brothers Investments, structuring investments in the energy and agriculture sectors, including the Brazilian sugarcane ethanol industry.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted by email at least 7 days prior to the scheduled event. No refunds or credits will be provided within 7 days of the event. This policy applies to all circumstances including illness. Registrations are transferable - please email to make arrangements for substitution in advance.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Kansas State University Olathe Campus invite you to join us on Thursday, October 10, for a luncheon meeting highlighting Kansas State University and its impact on the state, region, nation and world. Featured speaker will be K-State Alumnus Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).

Before arriving at NMPF Gregg served as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative from 2018 until 2021; before that, he served as the president of the Commodity Markets Council, representing commodities exchanges before Congress and federal agencies. He also has served as a staff member for the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, where he helped draft the 2012 Farm Bill, and as chief economist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Most recently, he worked at Aimpoint Research as its Vice President of Global Situational Awareness and Chief Economist.

A native of Mankato, Kansas, where he grew up raising cattle, Gregg earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and a Master of Science in agricultural economics from Kansas State University. He was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Kansas State University Agriculture Alumni Association in 2012 and also received the Outstanding Alumnus award from the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State in 2017. Gregg serves on the K-State Flinchbaugh Agricultural Policy Chair Advisory Council. He currently lives with his family on their horse farm in Lothian, MD.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted by email at least 7 days prior to the scheduled event. No refunds or credits will be provided within 7 days of the event. This policy applies to all circumstances including illness. Registrations are transferable - please email to make arrangements for substitution in advance.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

The 10th annual Ag Outlook Forum, co-hosted by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse Communications, will feature top economic, policy, business, and government officials with their current outlook especially geared to agribusiness and the challenges it faces in these volatile times.

Join us, Thursday, August 15, for the Council’s monthly luncheon meeting featuring Meg McCollister, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 7 at the Grand Street Cafe.

Administrator McCollister has a strong advisory and advocacy background with nearly two decades of experience serving nonprofits, candidates for public office, and public policy campaigns.

Born in Kansas and raised in both Kansas and Missouri, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas before attending the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate with an emphasis in urban, land use and environmental law.

After law school, McCollister and her husband moved to Sonoma County, California, where she served on the Board of Directors for Sonoma County Conservation Action and worked on environmental campaigns and in local government. Upon her return to the Midwest, she has continued to serve as an advisor and strategic thinker in areas including environmental, health, and social improvement initiatives as well as communication strategies.

McCollister resides in Kansas City with her husband, three children, and rescued greyhound. She enjoys running, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted by email at least 7 days prior to the scheduled event. No refunds or credits will be provided within 7 days of the event. This policy applies to all circumstances including illness. Registrations are transferable - please email to make arrangements for substitution in advance.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

Who says we're all business?

Come unwind after a long, busy work week with fellow Council members on Tuesday, July 9. This complimentary event will offer hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar for attendees.

Please be sure to RSVP. Space is limited.

We are excited to be making some special recognitions at the July social hour, including our class of Young Leaders and the recipients of the Council's “Distinguished Service Award".

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is presenting an Emerging Leaders Coffee Conversation, designed to bring young professionals and interns from the KC agriculture industry for connection, conversation and caffeine. You do NOT have to be a Council member to attend, and attendance is free. The event will feature a panel of agricultural leaders thriving in the Kansas City region. The discussion will highlight the ins-and-outs of working and leading in the KC ag scene. Enjoy a local breakfast beverage while steeping in exciting conversations to help you make the most of your experience in Kansas City agriculture. Your first cup is on us! Please RSVP by May 29 through this link.  

Panelists:

Johnny Weidmaier | Bayer Crop Science
Melissa Miller | World Trade Center Kansas City
Emma Reynolds | Dairy Farmers of America

Moderator:

Elizabeth Galbreath | Merck Animal Health

Join us for the Council’s June Luncheon Meeting!

A discussion of key issues facing Kansas and Missouri from the leaders of their respective State Department of Agriculture

Featuring

Chris Chinn, a fifth generation Missouri farmer from Clarence, was named Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture in January 2017. Director Chinn has held leadership positions in agriculture on the local, state and national level for more than 15 years, working to move the state’s agriculture industry forward.

As a trailblazer in ag advocacy, Chinn has established her brand through social media and public speaking. Her blog and Twitter audiences have attracted more than 10,000 faithful followers who have tuned in to hear her farm story. Through her outreach, she stands up for both rural and urban Missouri by bridging the gap between farmers and consumers and contributes to the advancement of the state’s No. 1 industry.

Mike Beam was appointed secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture by Governor Laura Kelly in January 2019.  He came to KDA following 38 years of experience in association management for the Kansas Livestock Association. He has served as the Executive Director of the Ranchland Trust of Kansas, an affiliate of KLA, for 15 years.

He has dedicated his career to assisting farmers and ranchers to advance their policy and public relations needs and in building highly visible, responsive and respected organizations. In his role at KLA he participated and led coalitions in strategizing and implementing legislative and regulatory initiatives.

Secretary Beam is a former chair of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted by email at least 7 days prior to the scheduled event. No refunds or credits will be provided within 7 days of the event. This policy applies to all circumstances including illness. Registrations are transferable - please email to make arrangements for substitution in advance.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City will honor the late Cliff Becker and Dr. Scott Brown with the group’s prestigious Jay B. Dillingham Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence at a luncheon on May 16 in Kansas City’s historic Union Station. 

Cliff Becker, Edwardsville, KS

Cliff Becker, prior to his untimely passing on December 30, 2023, served as vice president of new campus development for the American Royal.  Becker enjoyed a distinguished career in agriculture, largely in the media and publishing sectors.  At Vance Publishing where he worked for 23 years, he was the senior executive for the firm’s food360 Division.  He later joined Farm Journal where he was executive vice president of its livestock publications group for 10 years.  Becker served as chair of the Ag Business Council from 2016-2017.

Becker was recognized with several industry awards over the span of his 39-year career, including the National Agri-Marketing Association's Career Achievement Award and the Livestock Publication Council's Distinguished Service Award. He was a nationally recognized speaker in the industry and served on several boards, including as Vice Chair of the Agriculture Advisory Board at Western Illinois University. His leadership there was instrumental in enhancing the School of Agriculture program, alumni involvement and current and future success of WIU students.

Dr. Scott Brown, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Dr. Scott Brown has announced he is retiring in September from the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources where he is an Associate Extension Professor and Interim Director of the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF).  He joined Mizzou in 1989 as a research associate in FAPRI, the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute.

Dr. Brown is an expert in Missouri agricultural policy, as well as the livestock market outlook and dairy policy.  During the past two decades, he has worked extensively in determining the quantitative effects of changes in federal dairy and livestock policies and has testified regularly before U.S. Congress. He currently works with the Missouri legislature on the economic effects of state policy options on Missouri agriculture. He also provides regular market outlook on the livestock and dairy industries.

He has been honored on many occasions for his work.  In 2016 he received the C. Brice Ratchford Memorial Fellowship from the UM Board of Curators for commitment, dedication and effectiveness in advancing the land-grant mission, and has been recognized as a Special Friend of the Missouri Institute of Cooperatives. He was the 2005 national winner of the Farm and Ranch Financial Management Program Award, given by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

The 2024 Awards Luncheon is sponsored by:

Table Registrations

If you are registering for a table, and do not have your attendee list finalized, please enter your own information for each attendee. Final list of table attendees are due May 6 and can be sent by email.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted by email at least 7 days prior to the scheduled event. No refunds or credits will be provided within 7 days of the event. This policy applies to all circumstances including illness. Registrations are transferable - please email to make arrangements for substitution in advance.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

Parking

A four-level parking garage is located on the west side of Union Station. Additional parking is available up front.  Click here for directions and additional parking details – parking lots are equipped with credit card payment kiosks – cash is not accepted at all lots.

The Ag Business Council is pleased to welcome Dr. Chad Higgins as the featured speaker for the 2024 Mizzou Showcase. Dr. Higgins is newly named Vice Chancellor for Extension & Engagement and UM System Chief Engagement Officer.

Dean Chris Daubert says "Chad has a critical role in university leadership and has proven himself within the University of Missouri System." Chad will join us to discuss his new role and all they are doing at the University of Missouri to improve agriculture, health, education, and economic development.

University of Missouri President Mun Choi announced in February that Chad Higgins has been named vice chancellor for extension and engagement for MU and chief engagement officer for the UM System, effective March 1, 2024. Chad had previously been serving as interim in this capacity since January 2023.

In this role, Chad will provide leadership for continuing education programs across the state and university-wide engagement in coordination with leaders at all four system universities. He also will play a key role in evolving the land-grant mission of the university to meet Missouri’s 21st-century grand challenges and the changing needs of Missourians.

Chad previously served as associate vice chancellor since 2020 and, in that role, was the academic and operations officer overseeing the day-to-day programmatic and administrative components of the educational programs and initiatives for the Office of Extension and Engagement. He has worked to develop innovative, relevant programming and partnerships to solve Missouri’s grand challenges related to the economy, education and health.

Before coming to the University of Missouri, Chad served as senior director of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. He also brings extensive teaching, mentoring, curriculum development, evaluation and reporting experience from past roles at Louisiana State University, West Virginia and Idaho State universities and their education, extension and outreach components. He has a doctorate in higher education administration from Louisiana State University.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted by email at least 7 days prior to the scheduled event. No refunds or credits will be provided within 7 days of the event. This policy applies to all circumstances including illness. Registrations are transferable - please email to make arrangements for substitution in advance.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

Parking

A four-level parking garage is located on the west side of Union Station. Additional parking is available up front.  Click here for directions and additional parking details – parking lots are equipped with credit card payment kiosks – cash is not accepted at all lots.

Join us, Wednesday, March 27, for the Council’s monthly luncheon meeting featuring Congressman Sam Graves. The Congressman was the first speaker hosted by the Ag Business Council in October 2003, and we are delighted to have him back with us 20 years later.

Congressman Graves is a lifelong resident of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District. As a small businessman and a sixth-generation family farmer, Sam has spent his life working to make Missouri a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

In Congress, Sam serves as the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. As Chairman, Sam leads the Committee as it has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation – our aviation system, highways and bridges, transit and rail transportation, pipelines, and maritime and waterborne transportation. Sam’s role in transportation is critical as he works on behalf of Missouri’s 34,000 highway miles and 10,400 bridges in need of maintenance and repair as well as the 6th Congressional District’s two major rivers – the Missouri and the Mississippi. Sam is also a member of the House Committee on Armed Services.

Congressman Graves was born in Tarkio, Missouri on November 7, 1963. He graduated from Tarkio High School in 1982 and attended college at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he received his degree in Agronomy from the School of Agriculture.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted by email at least 7 days prior to the scheduled event. No refunds or credits will be provided within 7 days of the event. This policy applies to all circumstances including illness. Registrations are transferable - please email to make arrangements for substitution in advance.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is presenting the second event of the Emerging Leaders social series, designed to bring together professionals from the KC agriculture industry for connection and networking. You do NOT have to be a Council member to attend; this is for local individuals who work in agriculture-related roles, and are in the first 15 years of their career. If you are looking to make new connections in the industry, convene with local agriculturalists, or just catch up with colleagues, this is the event for you! First drink is on us. Attendance is free, RSVP is encouraged, but not required. RSVP here.

Presented by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City

Thank you to all for helping make this event a success!

Featured Speakers

• Dr. James Lowenberg-DeBoer, Professor and Elizabeth Creak Chair of Agri-Tech Economics, Harper Adams University - “Glimpses of an agri-tech future – from 3 decades on the precision agriculture adoption path”

  • Click here for presentation slides.

• Aidan Connolly, President, Agritech Capital - “A short review of 10,000 years of ag tech: Transforming food and farms through innovation & technology.”

• Ranveer Chandra, Managing Director, Research for Industry and CTO of Agri-Food, Microsoft - “Generative AI for Regenerative Agriculture”

Panel: Soil Health - Implications for Land Value, Farm Economics & Food Quality

Moderated by Michael Doane, Global Managing Director, Food & Freshwater Systems, The Nature Conservancy

• Nick Guetterman, Guetterman Brothers Family Farms, Bucyrus, KS

  • Click here for presentation slides.

• Dan Poston, Vice President Field R & D, PivotBio

• Jason Tatge, CEO, PrairieFood

  • Click here for presentation slides.

Panel: Artificial Intelligence

Moderated by Dr. Jonathan McFadden, Research Economist, USDA-Economic Research Service - Click here for presentation slides.

• Dr. Pascal Hitzler, Lloyd T. Smith Creativity in Engineering Chair and Director, Center for AI and Data Science, Kansas State University

  • Click here for presentation slides.

• Nic McCarthy, Senior Vice President Agronomy, Central Valley Ag Coop

• Matt Olson, Precision Ag Go-to-Market Manager, John Deere

  • Click here for presentation slides.

Panel: Livestock Technology Adoption

Moderated by Dustin Johansen, Senior Vice President, Livestock Division, Farm Journal

• Jerrod Westfahl, Chief Strategy Officer, Innovative Livestock Services, Inc.

• Coby Buck, Director of Strategic Accounts, AgriWebb

  • Click here for presentation slides.

• Paul Koffman, Executive Director, Livestock Technology Solutions, Merck Animal Health

Event Emcee

Kristie Larson, Strategic Relationship Manager, The DeBruce Foundation.

The Agricultural Business Council will kick-off 2024 with its Annual Legal Update on Thursday, January 18, at the Kansas City Public Library Plaza Branch with Husch Blackwell. This year's meeting will focus on possible implications of animal welfare legislation such as California's Proposition 12 and Massachusetts farm animal containment Question 3. Changing production standards often impact every level of the supply chain. Join us to learn the status of implementation and what compliance might involve for your business.

Featured Speaker: Cynthia Cordes, Partner, Husch Blackwell

A nationally recognized former federal prosecutor, Cynthia is well known by companies, Boards, and executives for counseling them with their most complex legal needs to address growth and risk mitigation.

Cynthia’s breadth of knowledge is extensive as she has spent years aiding clients in developing compliant, legally sustainable growth strategies and advising through times of transition and challenges faced, whether that be litigation or government investigations. Cynthia has represented numerous companies in the food, agriculture, manufacturing, and technology industries.

This event has been cancelled. Please contact Erica for further information.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by January 11 for refund. No refunds will be provided after January 11. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

Join us, Thursday, December 14, for the Council’s Annual Meeting featuring Caleb Wurth, Regional Director Southeast Asia & Oceania, US Grains Council.

The U.S. Grains Council is a non-profit organization that promotes the global use of U.S. corn, barley, sorghum and related products including ethanol and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). In this capacity, Caleb identifies and addresses all relevant trade, technical and policy factors relevant to building and maintaining the market for U.S. coarse grains and co-products for the countries stretching from Myanmar to New Zealand.

Before his current function, Wurth acted as the assistant regional director of Southeast Asia for the U.S. Grains Council, where he designed and executed market promotion programs that fostered the mutually beneficial trade of grain to the countries of Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Prior to the Council, Wurth worked for Archer Daniels Midland as manager of international container freight where he was responsible for the movement of bulk, specialty and high value commodities around the world. He also held a position as a trader at ADM, responsible for the trade of domestic corn, wheat, grain sorghum and corn co-products into the large feed markets of West Texas. Prior to ADM, Wurth served as a Series 55, 63 and 7 certified Trader at J.P MorganChase Investment Bank where he traded commodity and equity ETF derivates.

Wurth holds a bachelor’s degree in feed science and management from Kansas State University. There, he published scientific research in trans-pacific feed preservation and particle grain size analysis.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by December 7 for refund. No refunds will be provided after December 7. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is pleased to again be holding the November monthly meeting in conjunction with the Agriculture Future of America's annual Leaders Conference at the Sheraton Crown Center. Join AFA Board members for breakfast featuring Camille Abrams, Senior Vice President, Finance, Energy and Processing and Food Ingredients, CHS Inc. Her remarks will focus on energy challenges and opportunities in agriculture.

Camille Abrams is CHS senior vice president, finance, energy and processing and food ingredients, responsible for financial accounting, reporting and analysis for two of the four CHS core businesses. A certified public accountant with more than 20 years of experience, Camille also serves on several CHS risk committees and chairs its governance, risk and compliance committee.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by November 3 for refund. No refunds will be provided after November 3. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

Welcome all emerging agricultural leaders in Kansas City!

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is presenting a social event series designed to bring professionals from the KC agriculture industry for connection and networking. You do NOT have to be a Council member to attend; this is for local individuals who work in agriculture-related roles, and are in the first 15 years of their career. If you are looking to make new connections in the industry, convene with local agriculturalists, or just catch up with colleagues, this is the event for you!  First drink is on us, appetizers will be provided, RSVP is encouraged but not required. See you there! 

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Kansas State University Olathe Campus invite you to join us on Tuesday, October 10, for a luncheon meeting featuring Dr. Ernie Minton, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Dr. Bonnie Rush, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

It is an exciting time at K-State University, particularly for those associated with the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture.  Deans Bonnie Rush and Ernie Minton will address the Council’s October 10 lunch to bring us the latest on key opportunities and strategic initiatives in their respective College. 

Dr. Bonnie Rush serves as dean of Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. In this role, she is charged with leading the college on a variety of fronts, including program development, faculty and student development, research, teaching and extension, program accreditation, diversity and the 2025 plans for both the college and the university.

By all accounts, Dean Rush is doing incredible work to strengthen the numbers of rural, large animal vets.  She also has great view for the future of the Vet School and what she would like to see done there in the next 3 to 5 years. 

As Dr. Rush explains:

The State of Kansas provides a unique scholarship for talented veterinary students with the intent to enter rural practice. The scholarship pays in-state tuition for approximately seven veterinary students in each class.  In return, recipients enter mixed-animal practice in an underserved county in Kansas for at least four years after graduation. To support their career development, the college offers a certificate program that prepares veterinary students for success in rural practice.  The certificate is subscribed by 90 veterinary students across the four-year curriculum, including all rural scholarship recipients.  Representative course work includes feedlot medicine, cow-calf management, rural business management, bovine palpation, production medicine, and disease outbreak investigation. The Rural Veterinary Workforce Taskforce is a collaboration between the College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Livestock Association, and the Kansas Veterinary Medicine Association.  The Taskforce has identified veterinary shortages in Kansas by geographic region and gaps in specific services.  Future work is focused on innovative ways to strengthen recruitment and retention of veterinarians to rural practice.

Meanwhile, at the College of Agriculture, Dean Ernie Minton is leading the largest infrastructure investment in K-State’s history through a $208 million ag innovation project.  Dr. Minton, who is also director of K-State Research and Extension, is focused on advancing the college’s agriculture legacy as one of the nation’s top academic programs, and K-State’s Research and Extension’s mission through research, outreach, engagement and economic development.

Dean Minton explains that a little background is in order to help understand the current initiative.

Based on a 2021 report by the Board on Agricultural Assembly of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, growing deferred maintenance upgrades and skyrocketing total replacement values across the Land-Grant system had the entire system in trouble.   Anticipating the challenges of their infrastructure, in 2020 K-State’s College of Agriculture begin a comprehensive master planning exercise to quantify and prioritize projects that could be “shovel ready” should the federal infrastructure planning ultimately include opportunities at Land-Grant universities. The stars aligned in February 2022 as K-State’s College of Agriculture had completed key elements of its master planning exercise, the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic was in recovery mode at the nation’s colleges and universities, there were active discussions of President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” infrastructure plan, and Dr. Rich Linton arrived in Manhattan as K-State’s 14th president, after serving as Dean of NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for the past decade.

Fast forward to July 2023, K-State is deep into acquiring public (State of Kansas) and private philanthropic support to realize a $208 million Ag Innovation Initiative. This is the largest single infrastructure plan in the history of K-State that will signal the beginning of a food, agriculture, and natural resources infrastructure overhaul in Manhattan and throughout the state. The project will set a new bar for multidisciplinary research and innovation, and continue to elevate K-State status among Colleges of Agriculture in the United States. This infrastructure will further our ability to present ourselves as a world-class institution in areas that matter to K-State, the State of Kansas, and the entire central plains region.

The details of this plan and what it means for K-State in the coming several decades will be the focus of Dean Ernie Minton’s presentation at the October 10 luncheon meeting of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City’s meeting in Olathe.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by October 3 for refund. No refunds will be provided after October 3. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event

The 9th annual Ag Outlook Forum, co-hosted by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse Communications, will feature top economic, policy, business, and government officials with their current outlook especially geared to agribusiness and the challenges it faces in these volatile times.

Join us for the Council’s August 24 Luncheon Meeting which will feature a panel discussion on developments in renewable energy focusing on the many dimensions of the search for future energy sources and the implications for agriculture.  We will hear perspectives on:

Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Carbon Capture
Role of Traditional and Non-Traditional Energy

Registration is closed.

Featured Panelists:

Scott Fenwick, Technical Director, Clean Fuels Alliance America. Scott is the Technical Director for Clean Fuels Alliance America, the trade association representing biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel stakeholders within North America. Scott leads the advancement of core member services for technical, quality assurance and operations support issues. He provides key support for technical aspects needed by renewable fuel stakeholders to effectively position the industry, educates key decision makers, and helps build industry credibility; along with overseeing the BQ-9000 quality programs.

Lee Blank, CEO, Summit Carbon Solutions. Lee is CEO of Summit Carbon Solutions and works closely with the company’s sponsor, Summit Agricultural Group, to deliver on the company’s mission to decarbonize the agriculture and biofuels industries. Lee is a past Board Member of the Ag Business Council and has more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning the agricultural supply chain.

Chace Daley, SVP & Director of Energy Management, Farmers National. Chace leads Farmers National Company's Energy business, including oil and gas asset management, leasing, sales, and renewable energy. He has been in this position since October 2022, and has 14 years of oil and gas experience in private practice and leading oil and gas companies, guiding more than $1.6 billion in oil and gas transactions.

Registrations must be received by August 14, 2023.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by August 14 for refund. No refunds will be provided after August 14. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

Who says we're all business?

Come unwind after a long, busy work week with fellow Council members on Thursday, July 6. This complimentary event, sponsored by Dairy Farmers of America, will offer hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar for attendees.

Please be sure to RSVP. Space is limited.

We are excited to be making some special recognitions at the July social hour, including our class of Young Leaders and the recipients of the Council's “Distinguished Service Award".

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

Join us for the Council’s June Luncheon Meeting!

A discussion of key issues facing Kansas and Missouri from the leaders of their respective State Department of Agriculture

Featuring

Chris Chinn, a fifth generation Missouri farmer from Clarence, was named Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture in January 2017. Director Chinn has held leadership positions in agriculture on the local, state and national level for more than 15 years, working to move the state’s agriculture industry forward.

As a trailblazer in ag advocacy, Chinn has established her brand through social media and public speaking. Her blog and Twitter audiences have attracted more than 10,000 faithful followers who have tuned in to hear her farm story. Through her outreach, she stands up for both rural and urban Missouri by bridging the gap between farmers and consumers and contributes to the advancement of the state’s No. 1 industry.

 Mike Beam was appointed secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture by Governor Laura Kelly in January 2019.  He came to KDA following 38 years of experience in association management for the Kansas Livestock Association. He has served as the Executive Director of the Ranchland Trust of Kansas, an affiliate of KLA, for 15 years.

He has dedicated his career to assisting farmers and ranchers to advance their policy and public relations needs and in building highly visible, responsive and respected organizations. In his role at KLA he participated and led coalitions in strategizing and implementing legislative and regulatory initiatives.

Secretary Beam is a former chair of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by June 8 for refund. No refunds will be provided after June 8. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City will honor two of the region’s leading agricultural figures on May 18 at a luncheon in the Chamber Board Room in Kansas City’s historic Union Station.  The honorees will receive the Council’s highest award, the Jay B. Dillingham Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence.

Agricultural Business Council Chairman Dustin Johansen notes the honorees are champions for agriculture in separate but very key areas in the region. The 2023 honorees are Dr. Marty Vanier, K-State National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, Manhattan, Kansas, and Blake Hurst, owner, Hurst Farms and retired president of Missouri Farm Bureau.

Dr. Marty Vanier, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

Dr. Marty Vanier is the director of the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center (NABC) at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS.  She has deep roots in Kansas agriculture where she grew up on a prominent family ranch in central Kansas that raised commercial and registered Hereford cattle.  In her professional life, she has held several leadership positions in the veterinary pharmaceutical and food safety areas.

She received her undergraduate and graduate (D.V.M.) degrees from Kansas State University.  She began her career in Washington, DC, with the Animal Health Institute and later joined USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service as deputy director for Information and Legislative Affairs.  In 1987, she returned to K-State as part of the Food Safety Consortium in the University’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry.  She later served for seven years as executive director of the Kansas Agricultural Alliance. 

In June of 2003 Dr. Vanier moved from the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry to the KSU National Agricultural Biosecurity Center.  Later she joined the NBAF Program Executive Office as Director of Strategic Partnership Development.  She returned to the NABC in 2019 as its director.  In that role she directs the development, coordination, implementation and leveraging of a broad range of programs and capabilities addressing diverse threats to the US and world agricultural economies and food supply.  She serves as the liaison between the NABC and national, state and local stakeholders and allied industry groups.

Dr. Vanier has received a number of awards for her distinguished service.  She was awarded the President’s Award in 2002, 2012, and 2014 and the 2009 Veterinarian of the Year Award from the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association.  In addition, in 2017 she was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.  She was honored by the U.S. Army War College in 2017 by being named to the Commandant’s National Security Program.

Blake Hurst, Hurst Farms, Westboro, MO

Blake Hurst retired as president of Missouri Farm Bureau after serving in that role for 10 years. Prior to serving as president, Blake served as vice president, and as a district board member. At Hurst Farms, Blake raises corn and soybeans with his family. He also operates a wholesale greenhouse business with his wife, Julie; daughter, Lee; and sons-in-law, Ryan Harms and Matt Schlueter. The family raises flowers in two and a half acres of greenhouses. Hurst is a free-lance writer, with his essays appearing on Agri-Pulse as well as other national publications.

During Blake’s time as Missouri Farm Bureau President he served on the American Farm Bureau Board of Directors, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group’s AMAC, and the FTC Precision Ag Task Force. Additionally, he testified on behalf of Farm Bureau on several occasions at Congressional hearings. He also led statewide coalitions, helping to pass the following initiatives: 2014 Missouri Amendment 1 - The Missouri Farming Rights Amendment, 2019 SB 391 - Standardized the regulation of CAFOs, and 2020 Missouri Amendment 3 – Cleaner Missouri.

“These individuals have had a positive and lasting effect on our community,” said Council Chairman Johansen. “They are strong examples of what a leader can accomplish.”

The event will be held at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room in Union Station beginning at 11:30 a.m. for networking followed by lunch.

Accompanied by Senator John Boozman, Ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall is planning a whirlwind series of meetings across Kansas in late April.

They will kick-off their sessions with a breakfast meeting April 28 with the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.  Expect the Senators to open with a few comments on current political topics but focus on farm policy initiatives and the upcoming debate on the 2023 Farm Bill.

The breakfast session will include an opportunity for open discussion with the Senators, so attendees are urged to be prepared for a good conversation.

This event is open to members of the Ag Business Council of Kansas City. Reserve your spot at this link.

Senator Marshall says the meetings are part of his effort to get the views of the Kansas ag community.  “Right now, the United States Senate is in the early stages of writing the 2023 Farm Bill, which will impact Kansans for the next 5 years,” he said.

He continued, “Our Kansas economy thrives on a strong agriculture industry, which in turn helps feed a hungry nation and world. This legislation needs to deliver the critical resources and support that our farmers, ranchers, growers, and producers have long relied upon.”

Senator Boozman is Arkansas’s senior U.S. Senator and the dean of the state’s Congressional delegation. As the leading Republican on the Senate Ag Committee his top priority is to open more markets for producers to sell their commodities. Senator Boozman says, “When it comes to agriculture, for every five customers we have in the U.S., 95 customers exist outside our country. We have to give our farmers and ranchers the opportunity to reach them.”

Senator Boozman’s bio notes that he successfully raised Polled Hereford cattle that were competitive in the show ring, as well as in bull testing at Oklahoma State University.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by April 21 for refund. No refunds will be provided after April 21. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

Featuring

Dr. Chris Daubert, Vice Chancellor and CAFNR Dean, “Drive to Distinction.
Now having served five years in the role, Dean Daubert will share his perspective on CAFNR and the college’s initiative to support Missouri’s agriculture, food and natural resource economies. Fast-changing environmental, economic, technological and sociological forces, including food needs, climate change, agriculture advancements and health demands for humans, animals and plants will transform our future. These changes will shape our research, student training and community connections. Missouri is fortunate to have strong agriculture, natural resource, financial and healthcare industries as allied partners to provide CAFNR, as part of Missouri’s land-grant university, an opportunity to affect the lives of every citizen by providing unbiased, relevant and accessible education, information and resources.

Dr. Tom Spencer, Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development, University of Missouri, “Update on the Research Enterprise at Mizzou: Focus on Precision Agriculture and Health.”
In addition to serving as Vice Chancellor for Research and the Scientific Director of the NextGen Precision Health building at the University of Missouri, Dr. Tom Spencer also serves as Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources. Scientific discovery and research leadership define Dr. Spencer’s career. Elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 2019, Dr. Spencer is an internationally recognized reproductive and developmental biologist.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by April 3 for refund. No refunds will be provided after April 3. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

The 2023 Farm Bill

An early discussion on key issues and political forces that will shape this debate. Key topics will include budget implications, understanding the baseline, the new Committee make-up, and outlook for key policy provisions including commodity programs, crop insurance and the historic linkages between commodity programs and food/nutrition programs.

Thursday, March 23, 2023
11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Featuring

A veteran of Capitol Hill and former staff director for the Senate Ag Committee, Joel Leftwich is well tuned into discussion over the coming farm bill.  As chief strategy officer for Kansas Farm Bureau, Joel’s experience working in public policy and his understanding of ag issues help KFB members navigate a fast-changing landscape to achieve greater success.

He is a Wellington, Kansas, native and received a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from Friends University and a Master of Arts in political science in American government from Loyola University of Chicago.

Dr. Pat Westhoff is the director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri (FAPRI-MU) and the Howard Cowden Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the MU Division of Applied Social Sciences.

Patrick, too, is a keen observer/analyst of farm policy issues and his career includes a stint from 1992-1996 when he served as chief economist for the Senate Ag Committee. He joined FAPRI-MU in 1996 and has worked on a range of projects in the United States, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

He is a native of Manchester, Iowa, where he grew up on the family dairy farm. He has a B.A. in political science from the University of Iowa, an M.A. in Latin American studies from the University of Texas, and a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Iowa State University.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by March 16 for refund. No refunds will be provided after March 16. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

Presented by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City 

Thank you to all for helping make this event a success!

Featured Speakers…

• Dr. Bill Wilson, Distinguished Professor, Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, North Dakota State University - “The Rise of Technology in Agriculture”

  • Click here for presentation slides.

• Carter Williams, President and Managing Partner, iSelect Fund - “The Convergence of Ag Technology and Human Health”

  • Click here for presentation slides.

• Steve Welker, Operating Partner, Lewis & Clark Agrifood - “Nurturing the Seeds of Innovation”

  • Click here for presentation slides.

• Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Economics, and Extension

Panel: New Technology/Entrepreneurs

Moderated by Mike Rohlfsen, Chief Commercial Officer, TechAccel

• Reza Bloomer, Director, Business Development, InnerPlant

• Dave Baitinger, Seed Production Engineering Team Lead, Bayer

• Dr. Justin Welsh, Executive Director, Livestock Technical Services, Merck Animal Health

  • Click here for presentation slides.

Panel: Transparency and Information Systems

Moderated by J.J. Jones, Principal, Cultivated Conversations

• Dr. Manreet Bhullar, Research Assistant Professor of Horticulture and Natural Sciences, Kansas State University

  • Click here for presentation slides.

• Lamar Steiger, Owner, The 808 Ranch

• Deb Arcoleo, Partner, Transparency Ventures

  • Click here for presentation slides.

Panel: Climate-Smart Pilot Programs

Moderated by Amy Skoczlas Cole, President, Trust in Food

• Katina Dove Hanson, Acting Senior Advisor, Climate-Smart Commodities, USDA

• Coralie Pierre, Senior Manager of Programs & Partnerships, Field to Market

  • Click here for presentation slides.

• Kristen Coady, SVP and Chief Communications Officer, Dairy Farmers of America

  • Click here for presentation slides.

• Nathan Fields, National Corn Growers Association & Farmers for Soil Health

  • Click here for presentation slides.

Event Emcee…

Tyne Morgan, Host, Executive Producer, U.S. Farm Report, Farm Journal

The Agricultural Business Council will kick-off 2023 with its annual legal update on Thursday, January 12, at the law offices of Stinson LLP in downtown Kansas City.

The meeting will feature top experts on two topics that are top-of-mind for many.

Legal Issues in Ag Tech

Jim Selle, Partner, Stinson LLP, will provide a general overview on the topic and legal issues that arise in the Ag Tech supply chain.  Jim has extensive experience in a wide range of commercial transactions in the agribusiness and other industries: mergers, acquisitions, sales, business structures and governance, commercial contracts, corporate financings, and growth of emerging companies.  His practice emphasizes joint ventures and strategic alliances involving both public and private companies and commercial transactions of local, national and international scope.

Penny Slicer, Partner, Stinson LLP, will dive further into the topic of intellectual property. She will address important intellectual property issues that come up in contracting, including in the context of mergers and acquisitions, licensing, supply agreements and data/material transfer agreements.  A registered patent attorney, Penny applies her extensive experience in patent and trademark matters in the U.S. and internationally to help clients avoid infringement claims and protect their most valuable intellectual property. She has extensive experience in both patent and trademark prosecution, clearance opinions, licensing, due diligence, and other IP agreement work, as well as infringement assessments, cease and desist matters, trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings, and patent litigation before the US Patent Trial and Appeal Board, District Courts and the Federal Circuit.

Doing Business with the Government - Cautionary Tales of Contracting & Compliance 

Bob Thompson, partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP will share some advice and anecdotal examples of what not to do. Bob focuses his practice in the area of complex commercial business litigation in both state and federal courts. He has been involved in many difficult and complex cases handled by the firm, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial disputes involving claims ranging from breach of contract to fraud and anti-trust, often involving agribusiness interests.

Jean Paul Bradshaw II, partner, Lathrop GPM will share his experiences that involve both the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources. Jean Paul is a former U.S. Attorney with experience in white-collar criminal defense, complex civil litigation, class actions and internal corporate investigations. At Lathrop, he frequently advises major clients on a range of litigious matters, especially those pertaining to the healthcare and agribusiness industries.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by January 5 for refund. No refunds will be provided after January 5. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

Join us, Wednesday, December 14 for the Council’s Annual Meeting featuring Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.

Mayor Quinton Lucas, “Mayor Q,” was sworn in as the 55th mayor of Kansas City on August 1, 2019. As mayor, Mayor Lucas has prioritized making Kansas City’s neighborhoods safer, creating more accessible and affordable housing and public transportation, fostering a healthier community and improving basic services. Mayor Lucas created and chairs the City’s Special Committee on Housing Policy.

Since 2012, Mayor Lucas has been a member of the University of Kansas Law School faculty, where he served as one of the youngest tenure-track law professors in the country. He is active in the Kansas City community and volunteers extensively in area schools and organizations, including providing mentorship in local prisons.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by December 7 for refund. No refunds will be provided after December 7. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is pleased to again be holding the November monthly meeting in conjunction with the Agriculture Future of America's annual Leaders Conference at the Sheraton Crown Center. Join AFA Board members for breakfast featuring Corey Flournoy, cofounder and Principal of Creative Outreach Consulting.

Corey is a recognized leader in DEI programming with more than 30 years of experience in strategy development, executive coaching, and employee engagement. He has worked with multinational corporations, non-profits, and educational institutions. In January 2021, Corey accepted the newly created role of VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Aurora, the company delivering the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly. Corey was also Groupon’s first Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity, and is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University, teaching a graduate-level course on leading global change.

A Chicago native, Corey earned his undergraduate degree at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his Master’s degree in Agricultural and Extension Education at Michigan State University. While in school, Corey was elected president of the 450,000-member National Future Farmers of America, becoming the first African-American person to hold the position in the history of the organization.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by November 4 for refund. No refunds will be provided after November 4. Registrations are transferable.

Accommodations & Special Dietary Needs

If you have questions concerning access, or if you have any special dietary needs, please e-mail at least seven days prior to the event.