OABA Industry Conference to Provide Outlook for Future of Agriculture
The upcoming Ohio AgriBusiness Association Industry Conference is packed with widely-respected speakers and industry professionals, sharing their expertise on a variety of topics relating to agronomy, grain and feed, safety and more.
The two-day conference, Feb. 1-2 in Columbus, is designed to allow participants to choose session topics most relevant to their profession. In addition to these breakout sessions, the conference will feature four general sessions focusing on broader issues in agriculture and leadership.
“The general sessions help participants grow as leaders and professionals, while providing an outlook on the future of agriculture,” said Chris Henney, OABA president and CEO.
This year’s general sessions include:
- Framing the Future: An Agricultural Outlook
- Tim Luginsland, senior vice president and head of the grain and oilseed sector at Wells Fargo, is part of a national team of industry specialists that support Wells Fargo as the nation’s largest agricultural lending bank. He has held various professional positions within the agricultural industry, including Archer Daniels Midland and Bank of America.
- Lon Swanson, senior vice president within the food and agribusiness industry advisers group at Wells Fargo, focuses on the crop inputs and feed industry sector. He joined Wells Fargo in 2002, previously working for Bank of America and Oppenheimer Industries.
- It’s Not About You, It’s About the Bacon – Consumer Perspectives Panel
- Kristin Reese is a farm mom from Baltimore, Ohio. Mother of two, she farms alongside her parents, raising sheep, chickens, hay and more. Reese is the owner of Local Flavor Foods, a private cooking business that seeks to build upon the rich tradition of high quality food production in Ohio.
- Mariah Black works in marketing and public relations at Saddleberk Pork in Columbus, Ohio. She grew up on a commercial hog farm in Canal Winchester, participating in Ohio 4-H, FFA and Pork Producers for many years. The opportunity to join Saddleberk in 2016 provided her a unique perspective to showcase a niche product to a large consumer base.
- Nick Dekker is a food and travel writer and tour guide. He has written his award-winning blog Breakfast with Nick since 2007, and authored Breakfast with Nick: Columbus, a complete guidebook to all the unique breakfast, brunch, donut, and coffee places in Columbus.
- Thriving Across Generations: Embracing Our Differences to Achieve Success
- Mark Jewell is a speaker, trainer and coach serving organizations by helping them stop surviving and start thriving in any behavior. Leveraging his experience growing up on a unique farm in Minnesota, Jewell brings stories from the past and turns them into relevant lessons today. For nearly 20 years, Jewell has been dedicated to improving the lives of the people he works with and helping them reach their full potential.
- Don’t Let Climate Change “Rain on Your Parade”
- Dennis Todey, director of the United States Department of Agriculture Midwest Climate Hub, is known for speaking nationally on various climate issues. He has completed research around the impacts of climate on agriculture and water and how to improve decision-making using climate information.
The general sessions will offer continuing education units (CEUs) for both Certified Crop Advisers and state licensed pesticide applicators. For more information on conference topics and sessions, view the complete agenda at www.oaba.net/events_conference.
All-inclusive registration for the event includes admission to both days of educational programming and all meals, including the Industry Networking Reception & Dinner and OABA Annual Meeting. Registration fees are as follows:
- Member: $260 ($335 after Jan. 6)
- Non-Member: $400 ($475 after Jan. 6)
Individual day and reception/dinner-only registrations are also available, as are exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities. Visit www.oaba.net/events_conference for more information and to register. All cancellations must be made by Jan. 22 to be eligible for a refund.
Hotel accommodations for the Columbus Marriott Northwest can be made online by visiting www.oaba.net/events_conference or by calling 614-791-1000 and using the code “Ohio AgriBusiness Association.” The deadline to make reservations is Jan. 22.