Supporting Emerging Leaders in Ag
February 23, 2025
Written By Adam Buckallew
More than 45 young farmers and ranchers from Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas gathered at Camden on the Lake Resort in Lake Ozark, Mo., for the fourth Emerging Leaders in Agriculture Conference. The two-and-a-half-day event in January, hosted jointly by MFA Oil and MFA Incorporated, brought together the next generation of agricultural producers for a thoughtful program focused on industry challenges, market dynamics and helping next-gen farmers grow their businesses.
U.S. Farm Report host Tyne Morgan kicked off the conference by addressing pressing agricultural issues, including market volatility and the growing disconnect between farmers and the general public. Her presentation sparked discussions about strategies to bridge this communication gap and build positive perceptions of American agriculture.
The conference took an innovative approach to market education through a hands-on trading exercise led by Ben Brown from the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute. Participants traded farm commodities and supplies, gaining practical experience in market dynamics while learning valuable lessons about the importance of thorough recordkeeping and risk management planning.
Dr. Keri Jacobs, University of Missouri’s Partridge Chair of Cooperative Leadership, reminded attendees of cooperatives’ historical significance and ongoing relevance. “Agricultural cooperatives were formed because farmers realized they could not afford not to do it [individually],” she explained, emphasizing how cooperatives continue to maintain competitive markets and provide collective strength to individual farmers.
Estate planning attorney Connie Haden addressed one of farming’s most sensitive topics: succession planning. She stressed that preserving family relationships should be the primary goal of estate planning, noting how proper preparation can prevent devastating family conflicts.
Alan Weber from MU’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture presented emerging opportunities in carbon markets and biofuel programs, highlighting potential new revenue streams for modern farming operations. “There’s a lot of value in bringing together up-and-coming producers so that they can bounce ideas off one another, share successes from their operations and build their network of contacts with farmers and ranchers who face the same challenges,” said MFA Oil President and CEO Jon Ihler. “We’re proud to support our young farmers and ranchers in any way we can.”
Photo By Allison Jenkins