(706) 407-4391 info@agmediasummit.com

Aaron Putze, Keynote Speakers

Motivational speaker Aaron Putze, chief officer of brand management and engagement for the Iowa Soybean Association, will deliver the keynote address Monday morning.

Aaron learned the importance of hard work, showing up, keeping your word and treating others with respect growing up on a northwest Iowa crop and livestock farm. Those leadership traits are the fuel for continuous improvement as a team manager, strategist, coach, husband and father. In addition to being an experienced strategist, speaker and leadership coach, Aaron’s the author of two books: “Destined for Greatness – The Story of Chuck Long & Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes’ Football” and “You Are Destined for Greatness – Stories of Inspiration and Empowerment.” Stories and lessons featured in both books serve as the foundation for impactful, entertaining and engaging keynote presentations and team development workshops given to audiences throughout the country. Aaron holds a degree in public relations and communications from the University of Northern Iowa and Supervisory Leadership Certificate from Drake University. He’s an accredited public relations practitioner and serves as Chief Officer of Brand Management & Engagement for the Ankeny, Iowa-based Iowa Soybean Association (ISA). Prior to ISA, Aaron served a variety of roles with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, including Public Relations Manager and Executive Director of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. He’s a Rotarian, member of the Knights of Columbus and Central Iowa Public Relations Society of America and serves on the Greater Des Moines Partnership communications board of directors. Aaron enjoys golfing, grilling, gardening, and spending time with family. He and his wife Crystal live in Waukee and are the parents of three children and a four-year-old Goldendoodle named Beau!

Khara Plicanic

A camera-slinging design geek and all around Adobe nerd, Khara’s a natural born teacher who’s been sharing inspiration & know-how with fellow creatives around the globe for over 20 years. She’s authored several books, oodles of online courses, and customized training for clients big and small. When she’s not presenting at creative industry events, wrestling with cloud storage, or getting lost in her overgrown font collection, Khara can be found plotting her next craft project, dancing in her roller skates, or trying to remember where she left her phone. Find her at KharaPlicanic.com.
Session: Deep Dive Skills – Adobe Photoshop

Manuel Herrera

Manuel Herrera is an illustrator, educator, and speaker who has spent nearly 25 years inspiring creativity through his talks, art, and workshops. Known for his playful illustrations and engaging teaching style, Manuel has been featured at global events like South by Southwest, The International Sketchnote Camp, and The International Society for Technology in Education. He was recently named one of Ed Tech Magazine’s top 30 K-12 Influencers to follow.You can explore his work, which includes children’s book illustrations, live sketchnotes and digital illustrations by visiting www.manueldraws.com.
Sessions: Intermediate Canva: Media Mastery | Sketch Your Thinking

Laura Baumhover

Senior Digital Experience Strategist · Lessing-Flynn

Laura Baumhover is a senior digital strategist at Lessing-Flynn, a full-service marketing agency based in Des Moines, Iowa. Known for crafting smart, results-driven digital experiences, Laura specializes in solving complex problems and helping clients navigate an ever-changing digital landscape. She’s particularly passionate about search visibility — making content work harder for both human readers and AI-driven search engines through SEO, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). With a sharp eye for data and a commitment to staying ahead of emerging trends, Laura ensures every strategy is grounded in insight and built to perform.
Session: SEO Is Dead. Long Live Search Visibility.

Betty Haynes

Freelance writer and photographer · Midwestern Lens

Betty Haynes is a mother, farm wife, cattlewoman, and freelance writer and photographer for her business, Midwestern Lens. Her experience includes roles at Farm Progress and the Illinois Beef Association, with degrees from the University of Missouri and the University of Illinois – Springfield. Haynes was named 2023 Andy Markwart Horizon Award winner and 2023 International Federation of Ag Journalists-Alltech Young Leader, and has achieved Writer of Merit and Master Photographer status with the Ag Communicators Network.
Session: Writing that cuts through the noise

Dr. Austin Moore

Associate Professor of Agricultural Communication · Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

A native of the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles, Dr. Austin Moore spent his formative years on a large cow-calf operation in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma before attending Oklahoma State University for agricultural communication. Moore then spent 20 years in video and television production before earning a PhD in Agricultural Education and Communication at Texas Tech University. He worked for 10 years as an extension communication specialist for Texas Agrilife Extension, producing educational and marketing videos for the Division of Agriculture at Texas A&M University. Then restarted the SUNUP television program at Oklahoma State University and spent six years working with his team to help farmers and ranchers continue their education through that PBS show. He then moved to Oklahoma CareerTech where he produced the workforce-focused news magazine Oklahoma Horizon for Oklahoma PBS stations and RFD-TV. He now leads the agricultural communication program at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. Sessions: From Farm to Screen: Serving Ag Content through Video | Carving Creative Content: The Process of Lean, Efficient Video Editing

Loren King

Digital Marketing Supervisor: AI + Insights · MorganMyers

Loren works at the crossroads of artificial intelligence and insights, teaching organizations and individuals how to morally technology and support decision making with data driven analytics. He was raised on a corn and soybean farm and has worked in a variety of agriculture industry roles. Today he’s the eyes and ears for MorganMyers in digital marketing and artificial intelligence and works to understand how tools like AI are impacting the agriculture, food, and natural resources. While the concept of AI may seem new, Loren has been studying AI for over 10 years and has guided AI education across internal teams, with clients and even on his family’s farm. Session: AI for Ag Work: Augment Your Writing, Editing and Research

Mike Sabatino

Brush Art

Mike Sabatino is a digital strategy leader with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations use websites, content, audience data, and digital channels to better understand and engage their audiences. His career spans global PR agencies, agency ownership, and boutique marketing firms, giving him a unique perspective on how organizations of all sizes can use customer data to strengthen communications, improve marketing performance, and drive business results. At Ag Media Summit, Mike will lead a practical, hands-on workshop focused on turning audience data into actionable communication strategies. Attendees will learn how to use audience insights to create more relevant content, optimize channel performance, and demonstrate the impact of communications through measurable audience behavior.
Session: Your Content Doesn’t Matter…If You Don’t Know Your Audience

Wendy Brannen

Vice President of Communications and Marketing · National Pork Producers Council

Wendy Brannen serves as Vice President of Communications and Marketing for the National Pork Producers Council, where she leads national communications strategy, media relations, advocacy messaging, and industry storytelling efforts on behalf of America’s pork producers. With more than 20 years of experience in agricultural communications, Brannen has helped guide organizations through complex conversations surrounding trade, animal agriculture, sustainability, biotechnology, and public policy while strengthening public trust in food and farming.
Session: Leading the Conversation Before Others Define It

Sara Wyant

Founder & CEO · Agri-Pulse

Sara Wyant is an award-winning agricultural journalist, entrepreneur and founder of Agri-Pulse Communications Inc., a unique digital media firm she launched in 2004 to focus on farm, food and rural policy issues. An investigative reporter who has written many groundbreaking stories, Wyant has covered almost every farm and food policy debate since the 1980s. She is well recognized on Capitol Hill, as well as by farm, ranch and commodity associations across the country, as a veteran journalist and sought-after speaker. Throughout her career, Wyant has been a trailblazer through several “glass” ceilings. In 1995, she was the first female to be named to the senior management team in agricultural publishing as vice president for editorial at Farm Progress. She served as the first female chairwoman on the Farm Foundation’s board of trustees and as president of the American Agricultural Editors Association, where she also earned an Oscar in Agriculture award for excellence in agricultural reporting. Wyant was named to Folio’s “Top Women in Media” in the Entrepreneurs category in 2015. For her leadership within the industry, she has received numerous awards and accolades from a wide variety of organizations including: American Agri-Women, Agriculture Future of America, FFA, Missouri Farm Bureau, National Association of Farm Broadcasters, North American Agricultural Journalists, United Soybean Board and others. A graduate of Iowa State University, Wyant gained first-hand knowledge of crop and livestock production while growing up on a century farm near Marengo, Iowa, which she now owns and manages. She and husband Allan Johnson also own the farm where her husband’s family originally established a homestead near Almont, North Dakota. They are the parents of two sons and three grandchildren.

Mary Gordon

G&S Business Communications

Mary Gordon is a vice president at G&S Business Communication with more than 24 years’ experience in agricultural marketing. She helps agribusiness clients translate complex topics into clear, compelling, multi-channel stories that connect with modern ag audiences. Over the course of her career, Mary has served on the board of the Carolinas/Virginia Chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), and she received the Professional Development Award of Excellence from NAMA in 2015. Raised in Mount Airy, North Carolina (AKA Mayberry, home of Andy Griffith), Mary grew up on her grandparents’ corn, soybean and tobacco farm – land that has remained in the family since 1868. Mary earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication and Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She and her husband (Jason) live in Raleigh, North Carolina, with their three children (Gracyn, 12; Bailey, 9; Grant ,7), rescue puppy (Banjo), rescue cats (Shimmer and Karma) and a frog (Malcom).
Session: Work Smarter, Not Harder: Leveraging Content Across Channels

Mike Wilson

Executive Editor / Farm Progress

Mike Wilson is Senior Executive Editor at Farm Progress Co., where he helps lead an editorial team producing content across digital, print, broadcast, and live events. A three-time Writer of the Year with the Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN), Mike has served as president of both ACN and the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. His reporting has taken him to 36 countries, covering global agriculture from Brazil to China. He helps organize the annual Organic Growers Summit, the premiere event for organic farmers nationwide. Raised on a grain and livestock farm in Illinois, he holds a degree in agricultural journalism from the University of Illinois.
Session: Editing for Impact: What to Cut, Keep, and Clarify

Jackie Bowman Ponder

Director · National Pork Producers Council

Jackie Bowman Ponder of Indianapolis, Indiana, combines legal expertise with hands-on experience in pork production. She co-owns Bowman Family Holdings, Inc., managing 23,000 sows, marketing 200,000 pigs annually, and farming 4,000 acres of corn and soybeans. Jackie holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University, a Juris Doctor from Indiana University McKinney School of Law, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She has been an active leader in the pork industry, working with Indiana Pork Producers Association on lobbying and government relations, participating in NPPC’s Washington, D.C. fly-ins, and serving on the 2024 NPPC Strategic Planning Committee. Beyond agriculture, Jackie has held leadership roles as the president of Beacon of Hope Center for Women and as a trustee and vice president of the Center Grove Community School Corporation.
Session: Newsmaker Panel: Fields, Farms & Financial Stability: What’s Really at Stake for American Agriculture

Matt Carroll

Digital Content Manager · John Deere

Trends come and go, but relevance is built, not chased. In this session, John Deere’s social media content lead walks through the ways the brand uses TikTok as a long-term storytelling tool. You’ll see how Deere balances humor and heart with brand integrity, how TikTok fits into a broader social ecosystem, and how this strategy translates to measurable brand impact. Designed for journalists, PR teams, agribusiness marketers, and creators, this session offers practical frameworks, real-world examples, and clear takeaways for anyone navigating the fast-changing world of digital storytelling.
Session: Beyond Trends: How John Deere Uses TikTok to Build Relevance, Reach, and Trust

Kylee Deniz

Digital Content Manager · John Deere

Kylee Deniz serves as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Pork Council, where she leads strategic communications, advocacy, workforce development, industry partnerships, and public trust initiatives on behalf of Oklahoma’s pig farmers. With a background in agricultural communications and consumer marketing, she works at the intersection of agriculture, public perception, and policy, helping position the pork industry proactively in conversations surrounding animal care, sustainability, and freedom to operate.
Session: Leading the Conversation Before Others Define It

Katie Dehlinger

Progressive Farmer

Katie Dehlinger is Editor in Chief of Progressive Farmer, where she leads the editorial direction of the magazine and its coverage of the issues shaping rural America. Named to the role in January 2026, she is the first woman and just the eighth editor in the magazine’s 140-year history. Before becoming Editor in Chief, she served in several roles at DTN, including Markets Editor and Farm Business Editor. She also spent several years as Executive Producer of RFD-TV’s daily news programs, Market Day Report and Rural Evening News. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, she has spent her career covering the business of agriculture and the issues that matter most to farmers and rural communities. Katie grew up in Rockton, Illinois, but now lives in the Nashville area with her husband and two children.
Session: Blurred Lines: Balancing Sponsored Content and Editorial Trust

Dr. Alexis Main

Paradigma Agricultural Innovations and Consulting, LLC

Dr. Alexis Main serves as the Oklahoma Animal Care Advocate, focused on strengthening public understanding of modern livestock production and science-based animal care practices. Through work with pork industry partners and on-farm engagement initiatives, she helps connect consumers with the people and practices behind food production while fostering transparent conversations about animal welfare, trust, and agriculture’s role in society.

Session: Leading the Conversation Before Others Define It

Kyle Durham

United Soybean Board

A sixth-generation farmer from Norborne, Missouri, Kyle Durham manages 2,400 acres of soybeans and corn with his father. He and his wife, Courtney, have two sons. He is on United Soybean Board’s executive committee serving as the Innovation & Technology lead. Previously, he chaired the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.

Session: Newsmaker Panel: Fields, Farms & Financial Stability: What’s Really at Stake for American Agriculture

Gunita Singh

Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press

Gunita Singh is a staff attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press where she works on litigation, policy, and amicus work, primarily around state and federal freedom of information laws while also helping reporters and news organizations with records requests. Gunita received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and her undergraduate degree from Boston University where she studied political science and graduated magna cum laude. She has co-authored two publications about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to public records: Access to Public Records and the Role of the News Media in Providing Information About COVID-19 (Journal of National Security Law & Policy, 2020); Prioritizing the Public’s Right to Know in a Pandemic (Wake Forest Journal of Law & Policy, 2021). She also serves on the board of directors at LION Publishers. Gunita was previously an attorney at the DC-based government transparency organization Property of the People where she used the Freedom of Information Act to foster transparency and accountability of government institutions. She grew up in Palo Alto, California.

Session: How to Exercise Freedom of the Press

Marty Wolske

Successful Farming/People Inc.

Marty Wolske has P&L responsibility for People Inc.’s founding brand, Successful Farming. Successful Farming delivers practical content that farmers take directly to the shop, cab, field, or office, helping them save time, make money, and increase satisfaction in the farming business. Core products include print, digital, social, data, research, audio, e-marketing, custom content, and events — all delivered through the trusted and brand-safe Successful Farming name, which is relied upon by generations of farm families. A native of Story City, Iowa, Marty grew up picking eggs, walking beans, and detasseling corn. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Saint John’s University and a Master of Science from Saint Mary’s University, and has been with Successful Farming for 13 years. He has served on the Ag Retailers Association Public Policy Committee and Field to Market’s Education and Outreach Committee, is a past president of the North Central NAMA chapter, and is an active mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa.

Session: Blurred Lines: Balancing Sponsored Content and Editorial Trust

Derek Mulhern

Cultivating Change Foundation

With over 15 years of experience, Derek Mulhern is a former association executive and certified coach who supports associations and nonprofits. As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation, Derek is deeply familiar with the challenges nonprofit and associations face. His extensive background, coupled with a certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University, equips him to guide leaders and organizations toward sustainable growth and success. Raised on a dairy farm in Fountain, Minnesota, Derek grew up in a family that valued hard work and perseverance. This upbringing shaped his drive to ambitiously create his future and instilled a commitment to building lasting impact. Derek’s work is about creating unstoppable organizations that shape the future of work. His philosophy centers on the belief that transforming organizations starts with transforming relationships and leadership practices.
Session: How to Effectively Reach a Broad Audience

Caitlin Speckhals

Pivot Bio

Caitlin Speckhals Senior Brand Manager, Commercial Marketing | Pivot Bio Caitlin Speckhals is a commercial marketing leader with more than 15 years of experience in agriculture, biotechnology, and customer-focused organizations. As Senior Brand Manager at Pivot Bio, she leads strategic marketing initiatives that support product launches, customer engagement, sales enablement, and commercial growth. She partners closely with cross-functional teams to bring innovative nitrogen solutions to market and create meaningful value for growers. Prior to joining Pivot Bio, Caitlin spent over 10 years with Bayer Crop Science, where she held leadership roles across marketing, product management operations, and customer success. Throughout her career, she has led large-scale commercial events, developed impactful marketing programs, and helped organizations navigate change while driving business results. Caitlin holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is passionate about connecting strategy, storytelling, and execution to help teams and customers succeed. *Condensed Version* Caitlin Speckhals is a Senior Brand Manager at Pivot Bio with more than 15 years of experience in marketing, sales, and commercial operations. She leads strategic marketing initiatives that support product launches, customer engagement, and business growth across the organization. Prior to Pivot Bio, Caitlin spent over a decade with Bayer Crop Science in a variety of marketing and leadership roles. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Session: Next-level Thought Leadership for Building Influence and Industry Authority

Hailey Gilbreath

Kansas Beef Council

Hailey Gilbreath is a Marketing and Communications specialist with a deep passion for agriculture and sustainability. Originally from Southwest, Missouri, Hailey’s connection to agriculture was shaped by her community and being raised on a small cow-calf farm, sparking a career dedicated to advancing the industry. She is currently the Director of Communications for the Kansas Beef Council where she drives demand for beef to consumers and elevates brand awareness through social media, digital advertising campaigns, driving audience engagement, brand partnerships and more. Prior to the Kansas Beef Council, she served as the Communications Manager at the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, where she developed and executed impactful communication strategies to educate producers and promote research that supported the sorghum industry. In addition to her full-time job, Hailey provides freelance communications support for Sustainable Crop Insurance Services and also works with a rural radio broadcaster, delivering news, updates and agricultural insights to rural communities. Hailey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Communications with a Minor in Animal Science from Missouri State University and an Associate’s degree in Agriculture Business from Crowder College. She is committed to amplifying the voices of producers and finding creative ways to tell the story of agriculture industry.
Session: Design That Drives Action (Digital + Measurement + Design)

Jennifer Shike

Editorial Leader · Farm Journal’s PORK

Jennifer is the brand leader and editor of Farm Journal’s PORK. An award-winning writer and creative leader, she’s passionate about communicating science and innovation to help pork producers succeed in an ever-changing marketplace. She spent nearly 10 years in the purebred swine industry, creating a national youth swine association to help connect young people to a future in the pork industry. She then took on a new role as a science writer at the University of Illinois, covering animal sciences and crop sciences before becoming the director of communications and marketing for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Jennifer is a graduate of Kansas State University with degrees in animal science and agricultural journalism. She enjoys attending swine shows throughout the Midwest with her family.
Session: Newsmaker Panel: Fields, Farms & Financial Stability: What’s Really at Stake for American Agriculture

Faith Peppers

Communications Director · USDA – National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Faith Peppers is Communications Director for the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. She joined USDA NIFA in June 2020 after a 27-year career in agricultural communications and public affairs at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Prior to joining UGA, she worked for more than a decade as an Atlanta newspaper reporter, public information officer and healthcare marketing specialist. In 2016, she was recognized by the Association for Communication Excellence with their highest honor, the ACE Fellow, which recognizes career-long excellence and professionalism in agricultural communications. She also is an internationally known lecturer and trainer in agricultural communications and crisis and issues management.
Session: Viral, Visible, Vulnerable: Navigating Crisis in Real Time

Kandi Bradford

Growing Media Marketing

Kandi Bradford is a news reporter and anchor turned communications strategist, media professional, and storyteller. Kandi has more than 20 years of experience helping organizations connect with audiences in meaningful ways. She spent a decade in television news, where she developed an instinct for clear, compelling storytelling that continues to shape her work today. Raised on a cotton and soybean farm in the Southeast Missouri Bootheel, Kandi brings a lifelong understanding of agriculture to her work in communications and videography. That perspective, combined with her broadcast background, gives her a rare ability to translate complex agricultural topics into stories that are both authentic and accessible. She spent 15 years with the United Soybean Board, where she supported communications, public relations, and nutrition messaging. In her current work with Growing Media Marketing and The SPIEL television show, Kandi continues to apply her videography and professional editing expertise to create polished, engaging content across television, digital, and social platforms for her clients. Kandi’s combination of television news experience, agricultural roots, and multimedia expertise gives her a unique ability to connect with audiences across the agriculture industry and beyond.
Session: From Pocket to Publish: Smartphone Photography & Video That Stands Out

Jenn Norrie

Alltech

Jenn Norrie is passionate about sharing stories of agriculture, personally and professionally, and spends her days managing external communications, media relations, advertising and editorial efforts across North America and Europe for the global animal health and nutrition company, Alltech. She grew up in rural Alberta, Canada, southwest of Calgary, where her family had a commercial cow-calf ranch. Wanting to pursue a career in agriculture, Jenn attended the University of Saskatchewan and through invaluable connections made, she embarked on a career in agriculture marketing and communications spanning over 20 years with companies including Alltech, Bayer Crop Science, AdFarm and United Farmers of Alberta. Jenn enjoys travelling near and far, for work and pleasure, meeting new people and enjoying local food.
Session: Blurred Lines: Balancing Sponsored Content and Editorial Trust

Leah Mindeman

National Accounts Executive · Farm Journal

Leah Mindemann is Vice President of Bock & Associates, where she has spent the past 18 years representing leading agricultural publishers. She currently works with Farm Journal and Lee AgriMedia, helping connect brands with farmers and ranchers across the country. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a degree in Agricultural Economics, Leah began her career with Land O’Lakes before joining Bock & Associates. Leah and her husband, Andy, along with their three children, Maggie, Gabe and Paige, raise Angus cattle on their family farm. She’s passionate about production agriculture, inspiring others to discover their own purpose, and building meaningful connections within the ag community.
Session: Blurred Lines: Balancing Sponsored Content and Editorial Trust

Mandy Johnson

Dairy MAX

Mandy Johnson brings more than 20 years of marketing and communications experience to her role as manager of media relations and thought leadership at Dairy MAX, where she leads strategic initiatives that amplify the dairy industry’s voice across earned media, thought leader positioning and marketing campaigns. A Texas Tech University alumna with a bachelor of arts in public relations, Mandy’s career spans some of the most recognizable names in sports and entertainment, including the NBA Houston Rockets, WNBA Houston Comets, Texas Renaissance Festival, Sam Houston Race Park and Houston Toyota Center/Clutch City Sports & Entertainment. This experience has taught her how to shape high-impact storytelling and audience engagement. At Dairy MAX, Mandy applies that experience to thought leadership strategy, helping position farmers and leadership as trusted, credible voices for the dairy industry in an increasingly complex media landscape.
Session: Next-level Thought Leadership for Building Influence and Industry Authority

Amy Jensen

Padilla

Amy co-leads Padilla’s Food, Beverage & Agriculture practice. With nearly 20 years of experience in food, agriculture and communications, she helps organizations build trust, shape industry conversations and connect with the audiences that matter most. Her work focuses on thought leadership, reputation and communications strategies that strengthen credibility, influence stakeholders and support business growth across the food and agriculture value chain.
Session: Next-level Thought Leadership for Building Influence and Industry Authority

Maddie Hokanson

CFO · Schafer Farms

Maddie Hokanson lives in southeast Minnesota with her husband, Eric, and their two sons, Brent (6) and Scott (3). She is part of the 7th generation of her family’s pig and cattle farm, Schafer Farms, where she serves as the Chief Financial Officer. With a team of more than 30 individuals working in Minnesota and Wisconsin, Schafer Farms focuses primarily on value-added and service-driven parts of the livestock industry, such as raising replacement females and providing bio-secure transportation, with a goal of helping producers be more effective and successful. She and Eric are also part of his family’s farm, Hokanson Family Farms, where they raise corn and soybeans with his parents. The remainder of her time is spent raising the future generation of both families’ farms, working to instill values of faith, family, and farming into both of her sons. Maddie serves on the Minnesota Pork Executive Board of Directors and stays engaged in the industry through promotion and advocacy work at the local, state, and national levels. She is also an active volunteer with Goodhue County 4-H, serving as the livestock judging coach for their program. Maddie earned her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications and Leadership with minors in Animal Science, Agricultural Business, and Marketing from South Dakota State University.

Session: Newsmaker Panel: Fields, Farms & Financial Stability: What’s Really at Stake for American Agriculture

Chris Torres

Farm Progress/Informa

Chris Torres, editor of American Agriculturist, previously worked at Lancaster Farming, where he started in 2006 as a staff writer and later became regional editor. Torres is a seven-time winner of the Keystone Press Awards, handed out by the Pennsylvania Press Association, and he is a Pennsylvania State University graduate. Torres’ family is based in Lebanon County, Pa. His wife grew up on a small farm in Berks County, Pa., where they raised corn, soybeans, feeder cattle and more. Torres and his wife are parents to three young boys.

Session: How to Effectively Reach a Broad Audience

Lori Hallowell

Bader Rutter

Lori Hallowell, Executive Vice President, PR Lori Hallowell is a self-described Champion for Rural Voices. She has spent more than 30 years leading integrated communications for agriculture, animal health, food and beverage, pet care and rural-focused clients. A fifth-generation Nebraska rancher, she earned a degree in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Lori has dedicated her career to telling rural America’s story and helping brands connect authentically with their audiences. In 2026, Lori was recognized by PRNEWS as one of the Top Women in PR. A trusted mentor known for building strong teams, Lori champions impactful campaigns that drive results while honoring community values. Lori joined Bader Rutter in 1994 and serves on the company’s board of directors and leadership team. She also leads the PR department at the agency. Lori serves as president of the Agricultural Relations Council and is a member of NAMA, NAFB, ACN and LPC. She serves on the BOD of a local foundation at her alma mater high school, designed to give scholarships and help communities grow. Lori and her husband, Paul, raise commercial Black Angus cattle and operate HJ Bar Ranch. They started a direct-to-consumer beef business as another route to market and an opportunity to help consumers understand the care that goes into food production.

Session: Next-level Thought Leadership for Building Influence and Industry Authority

Greg Uchtmann

Digital Ag Solutions Marketing Lead · Syngenta

Coming from over five generations of farming on both sides of his family, Greg Uchtmann grew up farming alongside his grandfathers and father. Today, as Syngenta’s Digital Ag Solutions Marketing Lead, Greg brings more than two decades of experience across agricultural sales, marketing and farm management to help advance digital tools that create practical value for growers and channel partners.

Session: Sound Science and Smart Farming

Devin Mogler

President and CEO · National Oilseed Processors Association

Mogler comes to NOPA from Green Plains, Inc., where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and has also been responsible for all federal, state and local policy development and advocacy over the past seven years. An Iowa native, he previously worked for Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, advising her on agriculture and biofuels policy.

Session: Sound Science and Smart Farming

Dr. Jaye L. Hamby

Director · USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Dr. Jaye L. Hamby is the director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the extramural funding agency in the USDA Research, Education and Economics Mission Area. Prior to joining USDA NIFA, Dr. Hamby led and directed hundreds of proprietary research efforts, specializing in concept testing, product marketing, value driver analysis, and farm demographic trends. His consultative expertise includes the agronomy, livestock, and farm machinery markets. He has assisted with the launch of numerous crop protection products and authored field sales and competitive positioning manuals. Dr. Hamby, a Tennessee native, graduated from the University of Tennessee’s College of Agriculture with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education. Following his selection as a Harry S. Truman Scholar, he attended Oklahoma State University and earned master’s and doctorate degrees in Agricultural Education with a specialization in Agricultural Economics. He was an active 4-H’er and a national FFA officer. Dr. Jaye L. Hamby was sworn in as the USDA NIFA Director on March 25, 2025.

Session: Sound Science and Smart Farming

Ryan Locke

Vice-President of Engagement · National Oilseed Processors Association

Ryan Locke, past president of MANRRS, is the vice president of engagement for the National Oilseed Processors Association. He previously served as the director of sustainability partnerships and business development for Nutrien Ag Solutions. Prior to Nutrien, he was the industry relations manager for FMC Corp. In addition, Ryan has held roles of increasing responsibility with global leaders in the agriculture space including Bayer, Novozymes, and Syngenta with responsibilities in marketing, communications, product development, technical service, and commercial leadership. Ryan holds a B.A. in Animal Science from Texas A&M University. He currently lives near Omaha, Neb., with his wife Hayley, and daughter Skylar on a small farm.

Session: How to Effectively Reach a Broad Audience – Cultivating Change

Rita Courtwright

Communications Director · Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative

Rita Courtwright, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and a tribal citizen of the Fort Mojave Tribe of Indians, joined IFAI as the Director of Communications in June of 2025. With over 25 years of experience in tribal communications, she is a seasoned communications professional dedicated to amplifying Native voices and advancing wellness and food sovereignty in Indigenous communities. Rita holds a Master of Arts in Communications from Northeastern State University and brings deep expertise in project management, stakeholder engagement, team leadership, content creation, and risk mitigation. A passionate advocate for collaboration and truth-telling, Rita is committed to driving positive changes through impactful communication throughout Indian Country.

Session: How to Effectively Reach a Broad Audience – Cultivating Change

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