Gary Matteson
Senior Vice President Beginning Farmer Programs and Outreach
Farm Credit Council
Gary Matteson works for Farm Credit’s trade association in Washington, DC as Senior Vice President, Beginning Farmer Programs and Outreach. This includes policy work on local foods, sustainable agriculture, and direct-to-consumer agriculture.
He is an advocate for young, beginning, small, and minority farmer outreach programs. This includes work on emerging opportunities in local foods, direct-to-consumer agriculture, and generational transition of farm businesses. He has researched, designed curricula, and taught financial and business planning skills for more than twelve years to
thousands of beginning farmers in conferences, seminars, webinars, and college classrooms. Matteson specializes in making basic business concepts approachable and relevant to beginning farmers.
For thirty years Matteson was a small farmer raising greenhouse wholesale cut flowers marketed in the Northeast and beef cattle for local sales. He has served on numerous boards of directors including Farm Credit, Farmer Veteran Coalition, Farmers Market Coalition, and many other non-profits.
Senior Vice President Beginning Farmer Programs and Outreach
Farm Credit Council
Gary Matteson works for Farm Credit’s trade association in Washington, DC as Senior Vice President, Beginning Farmer Programs and Outreach. This includes policy work on local foods, sustainable agriculture, and direct-to-consumer agriculture.
He is an advocate for young, beginning, small, and minority farmer outreach programs. This includes work on emerging opportunities in local foods, direct-to-consumer agriculture, and generational transition of farm businesses. He has researched, designed curricula, and taught financial and business planning skills for more than twelve years to
thousands of beginning farmers in conferences, seminars, webinars, and college classrooms. Matteson specializes in making basic business concepts approachable and relevant to beginning farmers.
For thirty years Matteson was a small farmer raising greenhouse wholesale cut flowers marketed in the Northeast and beef cattle for local sales. He has served on numerous boards of directors including Farm Credit, Farmer Veteran Coalition, Farmers Market Coalition, and many other non-profits.
Tera Johnson
Program Director
Food Finance Institute
Tera Johnson is a serial entrepreneur whose mission is to create the next generation of environmentally and economically resilient food and farming businesses. The founder of teraswhey® and host of the Edible-Alpha® podcast, Tera participated in the full arc of creating a successful investor-financed company. Now the founder of the Food Finance Institute at the University of Wisconsin System and winner of the UW-Extension Chancellor’s 2017 Wisconsin Idea Award, Tera is a frequent speaker, teacher and financial consultant to sustainable food and farming businesses, communities and economic development organizations, as well as social venture funds and investors.
Program Director
Food Finance Institute
Tera Johnson is a serial entrepreneur whose mission is to create the next generation of environmentally and economically resilient food and farming businesses. The founder of teraswhey® and host of the Edible-Alpha® podcast, Tera participated in the full arc of creating a successful investor-financed company. Now the founder of the Food Finance Institute at the University of Wisconsin System and winner of the UW-Extension Chancellor’s 2017 Wisconsin Idea Award, Tera is a frequent speaker, teacher and financial consultant to sustainable food and farming businesses, communities and economic development organizations, as well as social venture funds and investors.
Ruth Hambleton
President
Annie's Project
Ruth Hambleton is the founder of Annie's Project - Education for Farm Women. She currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors. Ruth designed the educational program, commonly known as Annie's Project, based on her life experiences as an educator and growing up on a dairy farm in Illinois. The program based on the education needs of farm women Ruth identified during her years as an educator for the University of Illinois in the area of farm business management and marketing. The Annie's Project approach resonates with women from all backgrounds and levels of experience.
Ruth has a passion for farm women and providing them with the tools to become successful partners or sole proprietors in agricultural business. Annie's Project includes confidence building along with important business skills. Hambleton is the Farm Management instructor for her alma mater, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She also manages the family trust farm in the tradition of her own mother, Annette Kohlhagen Fleck, for whom the program is named.
President
Annie's Project
Ruth Hambleton is the founder of Annie's Project - Education for Farm Women. She currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors. Ruth designed the educational program, commonly known as Annie's Project, based on her life experiences as an educator and growing up on a dairy farm in Illinois. The program based on the education needs of farm women Ruth identified during her years as an educator for the University of Illinois in the area of farm business management and marketing. The Annie's Project approach resonates with women from all backgrounds and levels of experience.
Ruth has a passion for farm women and providing them with the tools to become successful partners or sole proprietors in agricultural business. Annie's Project includes confidence building along with important business skills. Hambleton is the Farm Management instructor for her alma mater, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She also manages the family trust farm in the tradition of her own mother, Annette Kohlhagen Fleck, for whom the program is named.
Allison Beichner
Loan Officer
AgChoice Farm Credit
Allison Beichner is a loan officer with AgChoice Farm Credit serving three counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a diversified demographic of part-time and full-time farmers. Her unique territory presents with her with a large group of Young, Beginning and Small farmers which has provided her with the opportunity to help develop and grow financial and business management skills amongst her customer base. During her time with AgChoice she has developed a true passion for the young, beginning and small farmer segment and enjoys leveraging her network to further the education of her customers. She holds a degree in Animal Sciences with a focus in Poultry Science and Agribusiness Management from Pennsylvania State University and enjoys spending her free time on the farm with her husband, horses and dogs.
Loan Officer
AgChoice Farm Credit
Allison Beichner is a loan officer with AgChoice Farm Credit serving three counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a diversified demographic of part-time and full-time farmers. Her unique territory presents with her with a large group of Young, Beginning and Small farmers which has provided her with the opportunity to help develop and grow financial and business management skills amongst her customer base. During her time with AgChoice she has developed a true passion for the young, beginning and small farmer segment and enjoys leveraging her network to further the education of her customers. She holds a degree in Animal Sciences with a focus in Poultry Science and Agribusiness Management from Pennsylvania State University and enjoys spending her free time on the farm with her husband, horses and dogs.
Sarah Campbell
USDA BFR Program Coordinator
USDA
Sarah Campbell is the National BFR Program Coordinator for USDA where she helps coordinate beginning farmer related efforts across the Department and works closely with USDA’s BFR coordinators in each state to increase beginning farmer participation and access to programs. She has held several positions within USDA and has a wealth of experience working on issues impacting beginning farmers and ranchers. She served as acting director of the Customer Experience for the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, where she led the piloting of innovative, customer-centric initiatives and has worked for FSA both in DC and in the field. She studied International Development at Guilford College and holds and MS in Community Development from UC Davis.
USDA BFR Program Coordinator
USDA
Sarah Campbell is the National BFR Program Coordinator for USDA where she helps coordinate beginning farmer related efforts across the Department and works closely with USDA’s BFR coordinators in each state to increase beginning farmer participation and access to programs. She has held several positions within USDA and has a wealth of experience working on issues impacting beginning farmers and ranchers. She served as acting director of the Customer Experience for the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, where she led the piloting of innovative, customer-centric initiatives and has worked for FSA both in DC and in the field. She studied International Development at Guilford College and holds and MS in Community Development from UC Davis.
Jennifer Hashley
Director
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
Jennifer Hashley is Director of the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, a beginning farmer training program that assists diverse individuals to begin farming in Massachusetts. Jennifer is also a vegetable and pasture-based livestock farmer and serves on the Boards of The Carrot Project and the Urban Farming Institute of Boston. She is a farm business planning instructor for Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and is advisor to several regional food systems initiatives. She served as an agricultural Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras and holds a Master’s in Agricultural Policy from Tufts University and a BS in Environmental Science from Indiana University.
Director
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
Jennifer Hashley is Director of the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, a beginning farmer training program that assists diverse individuals to begin farming in Massachusetts. Jennifer is also a vegetable and pasture-based livestock farmer and serves on the Boards of The Carrot Project and the Urban Farming Institute of Boston. She is a farm business planning instructor for Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and is advisor to several regional food systems initiatives. She served as an agricultural Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras and holds a Master’s in Agricultural Policy from Tufts University and a BS in Environmental Science from Indiana University.
Vicki Carter
Director
Spokane Conservation District
Vicki Carter currently serves as the Director of the Spokane Conservation District. Her management experience includes over 25 years in human resource management, accounting and financial management, project and program development, and governmental insurance programs. She serves a board of directors in an agriculturally based county and provides input to policy and legislative matters at local and state levels.
Vicki is active in the veteran community of Spokane through her work as Director of Vets on the Farm. VOTF has gained statewide and national attention by emphasizing the growing need to fill a gap in our agricultural production with post 9/11 Veterans ready for a new mission. Vets on the Farm provides training and employment opportunities in seven Eastern Washington counties. Vicki was instrumental in the formation of the Farmer Veteran Coalition Washington State Chapter and was recently appointed to the national Farmer Veteran Coalition Board of Directors.
Director
Spokane Conservation District
Vicki Carter currently serves as the Director of the Spokane Conservation District. Her management experience includes over 25 years in human resource management, accounting and financial management, project and program development, and governmental insurance programs. She serves a board of directors in an agriculturally based county and provides input to policy and legislative matters at local and state levels.
Vicki is active in the veteran community of Spokane through her work as Director of Vets on the Farm. VOTF has gained statewide and national attention by emphasizing the growing need to fill a gap in our agricultural production with post 9/11 Veterans ready for a new mission. Vets on the Farm provides training and employment opportunities in seven Eastern Washington counties. Vicki was instrumental in the formation of the Farmer Veteran Coalition Washington State Chapter and was recently appointed to the national Farmer Veteran Coalition Board of Directors.
Katie Trozzo
Program Associate
Virginia Tech
Katie Trozzo is a program associate in the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education at Virginia Tech. She works in support of the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition as well as the GREW (Graining Results Through Evaluation Work) Project for Beginning Farmer and Rancher Programs and the Virginia Tech Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation. Her background is in agroforestry, community development, and social science.
Program Associate
Virginia Tech
Katie Trozzo is a program associate in the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education at Virginia Tech. She works in support of the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition as well as the GREW (Graining Results Through Evaluation Work) Project for Beginning Farmer and Rancher Programs and the Virginia Tech Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation. Her background is in agroforestry, community development, and social science.
Poppy Davis
Farm Business and Policy Adviser
C2C Consulting
Poppy Davis is an agricultural and food business and policy adviser. She works with farm organizations around the country to train farmers and ranchers on financial and legal business management skills. She also works directly with nonprofits, associations, and local governments to help them build financial and managerial capacity and to develop programs to support farmers and ranchers and related enterprises and to improve healthy food access. Poppy also teaches a class in agricultural tax law at the University of Arkansas School of Law.
Poppy began her career as a California Certified Public Accountant and later worked for the United States Department of Agriculture as the National Program Leader for Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Washington, D.C.. While at the USDA she served as a member of the management team for Secretary Vilsack's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative, and co-founded the USDA 4 Veterans, Reservists & Military Families, and Women and Working Lands workgroups.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of California at Davis, a Masters in Journalism from Georgetown University, and a Juris Doctor with a Certificate in Agricultural Law from Drake University Law School. Poppy is also a past fellow of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 35).
Her not-for-profit experience includes a year as the Executive Director of the Ecological Farming Association, and board service including Oregon Tilth (current) and previously the Farmer-Veteran Coalition, The Carrot Project New England, Red Tomato, The Center for Land Based Learning, and The Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
Farm Business and Policy Adviser
C2C Consulting
Poppy Davis is an agricultural and food business and policy adviser. She works with farm organizations around the country to train farmers and ranchers on financial and legal business management skills. She also works directly with nonprofits, associations, and local governments to help them build financial and managerial capacity and to develop programs to support farmers and ranchers and related enterprises and to improve healthy food access. Poppy also teaches a class in agricultural tax law at the University of Arkansas School of Law.
Poppy began her career as a California Certified Public Accountant and later worked for the United States Department of Agriculture as the National Program Leader for Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Washington, D.C.. While at the USDA she served as a member of the management team for Secretary Vilsack's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative, and co-founded the USDA 4 Veterans, Reservists & Military Families, and Women and Working Lands workgroups.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of California at Davis, a Masters in Journalism from Georgetown University, and a Juris Doctor with a Certificate in Agricultural Law from Drake University Law School. Poppy is also a past fellow of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 35).
Her not-for-profit experience includes a year as the Executive Director of the Ecological Farming Association, and board service including Oregon Tilth (current) and previously the Farmer-Veteran Coalition, The Carrot Project New England, Red Tomato, The Center for Land Based Learning, and The Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
Julia Freedgood
Director, Farms for a New Generation and Senior Advisor
American Farmland Trust
Julia is a national expert in farmland protection, agricultural viability, and food systems who heads AFT’s efforts to support the future of farming by increasing land access and supporting next-generation farmers. She co-authored “Cultivating the Next Generation: Resources and Policies to Help Beginning Farmers Succeed in Agriculture,” and leads AFT’s efforts to train trainers and build a network of service providers to help beginners secure land and succeed in agriculture. Freedgood co-authored AFT’s “Farms Under Threat” report. She was a co-PI of a USDA-NIFA supported project “Growing Food Connections,” and published “Growing Local: A Community Guide to Planning for Agriculture and Food Systems” to strengthen local economies and improve community food security. She is a long-time member of the American Planning Association. She served on USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Grant Review Board and the USDA-Secretary Vilsack’s Land Tenure Advisory Committee. She is also a founding member of North American Food Systems Network and serves on the Advisory Board and Editorial Committee of the Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development and the Network Committee of Food Solutions New England. She holds a Master of Arts in urban and environmental planning and policy from Tufts University.
Director, Farms for a New Generation and Senior Advisor
American Farmland Trust
Julia is a national expert in farmland protection, agricultural viability, and food systems who heads AFT’s efforts to support the future of farming by increasing land access and supporting next-generation farmers. She co-authored “Cultivating the Next Generation: Resources and Policies to Help Beginning Farmers Succeed in Agriculture,” and leads AFT’s efforts to train trainers and build a network of service providers to help beginners secure land and succeed in agriculture. Freedgood co-authored AFT’s “Farms Under Threat” report. She was a co-PI of a USDA-NIFA supported project “Growing Food Connections,” and published “Growing Local: A Community Guide to Planning for Agriculture and Food Systems” to strengthen local economies and improve community food security. She is a long-time member of the American Planning Association. She served on USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Grant Review Board and the USDA-Secretary Vilsack’s Land Tenure Advisory Committee. She is also a founding member of North American Food Systems Network and serves on the Advisory Board and Editorial Committee of the Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development and the Network Committee of Food Solutions New England. She holds a Master of Arts in urban and environmental planning and policy from Tufts University.
Kerry McGrath
North Coast and Bay Area Program Coordinator
CAFarmLink
For the last five years Kerry McGrath has been working on behalf of the farmers, ranchers and wider community of Marin Organic, a non-profit organization that supported local, organic agriculture. She was the liaison to more than 40 farmers and ranchers and primary interface with communities across Marin County.
Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Kerry has experience with both conventional and organic farming. Kerry relocated to California in 2000 to combine two of her passions: the outdoors and working with children. Kerry interned and worked as a Naturalist with Marin County Outdoor School before graduating from University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree emphasizing Agroecology and Ethnobotany. She has interned at various livestock and vegetable family farms throughout the state. Kerry also designed and implemented a two-acre food garden for restauranteur Pat Kuleto at Nick’s Cove, a resort on Tomales Bay.
With California FarmLink, Kerry offers assistance with land acquisition, business planning, financing strategies, agricultural loans, securing conservation easements, and mentorship with experienced farmers. She looks forward to working with the FarmLink community. In her spare time, you can find Kerry in her garden or hiking, paddling, biking, attempting to surf, shucking oysters and eating her way across west Marin.
North Coast and Bay Area Program Coordinator
CAFarmLink
For the last five years Kerry McGrath has been working on behalf of the farmers, ranchers and wider community of Marin Organic, a non-profit organization that supported local, organic agriculture. She was the liaison to more than 40 farmers and ranchers and primary interface with communities across Marin County.
Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Kerry has experience with both conventional and organic farming. Kerry relocated to California in 2000 to combine two of her passions: the outdoors and working with children. Kerry interned and worked as a Naturalist with Marin County Outdoor School before graduating from University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree emphasizing Agroecology and Ethnobotany. She has interned at various livestock and vegetable family farms throughout the state. Kerry also designed and implemented a two-acre food garden for restauranteur Pat Kuleto at Nick’s Cove, a resort on Tomales Bay.
With California FarmLink, Kerry offers assistance with land acquisition, business planning, financing strategies, agricultural loans, securing conservation easements, and mentorship with experienced farmers. She looks forward to working with the FarmLink community. In her spare time, you can find Kerry in her garden or hiking, paddling, biking, attempting to surf, shucking oysters and eating her way across west Marin.
Mike Stranz
Vice President of Advocacy
National Farmers Union
Mike Stranz is the Vice President of Advocacy for the National Farmers Union and has been in this role since early 2020. He works to advance and expand NFU’s outreach to policymakers, partners, and the general public through communications and government relations efforts.
Stranz comes to NFU from the House Agriculture Committee majority staff, where he most recently worked as Subcommittee Staff Director for General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. During his five years at the Ag Committee, Stranz helped negotiate the 2018 Farm Bill and worked on issues related to crop insurance, commodity programs, and grain standards.
Before going to Capitol Hill, Stranz spent the previous five years in Washington, D.C., as a government relations representative at NFU. Prior to that, he worked for Wisconsin Farmers Union as a state lobbyist.
Stranz earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He grew up in rural Oconto County, Wisconsin.
Vice President of Advocacy
National Farmers Union
Mike Stranz is the Vice President of Advocacy for the National Farmers Union and has been in this role since early 2020. He works to advance and expand NFU’s outreach to policymakers, partners, and the general public through communications and government relations efforts.
Stranz comes to NFU from the House Agriculture Committee majority staff, where he most recently worked as Subcommittee Staff Director for General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. During his five years at the Ag Committee, Stranz helped negotiate the 2018 Farm Bill and worked on issues related to crop insurance, commodity programs, and grain standards.
Before going to Capitol Hill, Stranz spent the previous five years in Washington, D.C., as a government relations representative at NFU. Prior to that, he worked for Wisconsin Farmers Union as a state lobbyist.
Stranz earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He grew up in rural Oconto County, Wisconsin.
Erin Pirro
Enfield
Farm Credit East, ACA
Erin Pirro has been helping farmers large and small make their businesses run better since 2001. As a Certified Agricultural Consultant for Farm Credit East with a background in agricultural economics, Erin's focus is on profitability improvement and systems improvement because sustainability means economics, too! Profitability is an essential element for the next stage of Erin’s work, in which she guides family businesses through transition, whether that’s growing the business, adding (or discontinuing) an enterprise, or bringing in the next generation. Erin works with clients to identify goals, facilitate discussions and coach them through the steps for successful implementation. In short, she’s your catalyst: the element that creates the spark to move forward. And best of all, Erin understands these things from both sides of the table. At home, her small family farm raises and markets sheep and wool products in southern New England.
Enfield
Farm Credit East, ACA
Erin Pirro has been helping farmers large and small make their businesses run better since 2001. As a Certified Agricultural Consultant for Farm Credit East with a background in agricultural economics, Erin's focus is on profitability improvement and systems improvement because sustainability means economics, too! Profitability is an essential element for the next stage of Erin’s work, in which she guides family businesses through transition, whether that’s growing the business, adding (or discontinuing) an enterprise, or bringing in the next generation. Erin works with clients to identify goals, facilitate discussions and coach them through the steps for successful implementation. In short, she’s your catalyst: the element that creates the spark to move forward. And best of all, Erin understands these things from both sides of the table. At home, her small family farm raises and markets sheep and wool products in southern New England.
Allison Paap
Vice President - Lending Manager
American AgCredit
As Vice President-Lending Manger for American AgCredit, Allison Paap helps provide financing for all types of farmers and ranchers throughout Southern California. With over 20 years of experience with Farm Credit, Allison has been an active participant in the Southern California agricultural community. She currently serves on the Boards of the San Diego County Farm Bureau and the Riverside Food System Alliance, and is a member of the urban agriculture working group for the Los Angeles Food Policy Council. Allison works with farmers and ranchers within all segments of agriculture to provide support and information around access to capital, business planning, budgeting, and risk identification. In her spare time, Allison enjoys exploring the mountains and beaches of Southern California her husband and two daughters.
Vice President - Lending Manager
American AgCredit
As Vice President-Lending Manger for American AgCredit, Allison Paap helps provide financing for all types of farmers and ranchers throughout Southern California. With over 20 years of experience with Farm Credit, Allison has been an active participant in the Southern California agricultural community. She currently serves on the Boards of the San Diego County Farm Bureau and the Riverside Food System Alliance, and is a member of the urban agriculture working group for the Los Angeles Food Policy Council. Allison works with farmers and ranchers within all segments of agriculture to provide support and information around access to capital, business planning, budgeting, and risk identification. In her spare time, Allison enjoys exploring the mountains and beaches of Southern California her husband and two daughters.
Jessica Koehler
Co-Owner/Winemaker
La Finquita Winery & Vineyard
Jessica Koehler co-owns La Finquita Winery & Vineyard with her husband, Charlie Koehler. Purchased in December 2013, La Finquita Winery & Vineyard has become a true labor of love with countless hours spent in the vineyard and around the property as well as preparing the newly remodeled tasting room. The beautiful 8-acre property was christened La Finquita, meaning “the little farm.” La Finquita’s unique property has a natural well spring and stunning views of the Ramona Valley and San Diego Country Estates.
Co-Owner/Winemaker
La Finquita Winery & Vineyard
Jessica Koehler co-owns La Finquita Winery & Vineyard with her husband, Charlie Koehler. Purchased in December 2013, La Finquita Winery & Vineyard has become a true labor of love with countless hours spent in the vineyard and around the property as well as preparing the newly remodeled tasting room. The beautiful 8-acre property was christened La Finquita, meaning “the little farm.” La Finquita’s unique property has a natural well spring and stunning views of the Ramona Valley and San Diego Country Estates.
Harrison Bardwell
Owner/Operator
Bardwell Farm
Harrison Bardwell is the owner of a 20 acre diversified vegetable farm growing and selling to people of the Pioneer Valley through farm store, CSA and wholesale outlets. Harrison is a ninth generation farmer and going into his fifth season as a business owner and farmer. At Bardwell Farm they practice sustainable growing practices and work with the earth and environment to produce healthy food for people.
Owner/Operator
Bardwell Farm
Harrison Bardwell is the owner of a 20 acre diversified vegetable farm growing and selling to people of the Pioneer Valley through farm store, CSA and wholesale outlets. Harrison is a ninth generation farmer and going into his fifth season as a business owner and farmer. At Bardwell Farm they practice sustainable growing practices and work with the earth and environment to produce healthy food for people.
Jesika Harper
Vice President - AgVision
Northwest Farm Credit
Jesika’s experience with agriculture is grounded in her upbringing on her family’s farm in central Washington. With nearly 20 years of experience working in the ag sector, Jesika has a strong appreciation for the opportunities and challenges facing young, beginning, and small producers.
Jesika earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Regis University in Denver, CO. Following graduation, professional experiences include roles in human resources and commodity merchandising for Cargill and ConAgra. Jesika joined Northwest Farm Credit Services in 2012 and served as Senior HR Advisor before working with customers as a Relationship Manager. Today, she is the VP-AgVision at Northwest Farm Credit Services and based in Spokane, WA. The AgVision program focuses on initiatives and products that support the success of young, beginning, and small producers.
Vice President - AgVision
Northwest Farm Credit
Jesika’s experience with agriculture is grounded in her upbringing on her family’s farm in central Washington. With nearly 20 years of experience working in the ag sector, Jesika has a strong appreciation for the opportunities and challenges facing young, beginning, and small producers.
Jesika earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Regis University in Denver, CO. Following graduation, professional experiences include roles in human resources and commodity merchandising for Cargill and ConAgra. Jesika joined Northwest Farm Credit Services in 2012 and served as Senior HR Advisor before working with customers as a Relationship Manager. Today, she is the VP-AgVision at Northwest Farm Credit Services and based in Spokane, WA. The AgVision program focuses on initiatives and products that support the success of young, beginning, and small producers.
Ryan Patton
Consultant
Nationwide
Ryan Patton, JD, MBA, has been with Nationwide since 2013 and joined the Advanced Consulting Group after having served as a financial planner with Nationwide’s Land As Your Legacy® program. With the Land As Your Legacy team, Ryan worked with advisors and their clients to coordinate and help farmers and ranchers plan for the successful transition of their business to the next generation.
As a member of the Advanced Consulting Group, Ryan concentrates on business succession, business taxation, estate planning and agricultural planning. Prior to joining Nationwide, Ryan worked for an independent wealth management company that specialized in wealth transfer strategies and financial management.
Ryan earned his Bachelor of Economics from The Ohio State University, his MBA, with a specialization in finance, from Ashland University, and his Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School.
Ryan is an avid motorcycle racing fan and outdoorsman. He lives in Lexington, Ohio with his wife Nicole, daughter, Emma and son Ethan.
Consultant
Nationwide
Ryan Patton, JD, MBA, has been with Nationwide since 2013 and joined the Advanced Consulting Group after having served as a financial planner with Nationwide’s Land As Your Legacy® program. With the Land As Your Legacy team, Ryan worked with advisors and their clients to coordinate and help farmers and ranchers plan for the successful transition of their business to the next generation.
As a member of the Advanced Consulting Group, Ryan concentrates on business succession, business taxation, estate planning and agricultural planning. Prior to joining Nationwide, Ryan worked for an independent wealth management company that specialized in wealth transfer strategies and financial management.
Ryan earned his Bachelor of Economics from The Ohio State University, his MBA, with a specialization in finance, from Ashland University, and his Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School.
Ryan is an avid motorcycle racing fan and outdoorsman. He lives in Lexington, Ohio with his wife Nicole, daughter, Emma and son Ethan.
John Baker
Attorney at Law
Iowa State University Cooperative Extension
John R. Baker is the Attorney for Iowa Concern Hotline. In 1989 he created the AgLink matching service to provide opportunities to new entrants to identify opportunities to enter farming. In 1991 he created the Farm On project which links farmers and landowners with beginning farmers. He is a founding member of the International Farm Transition Network and served as the Chair of the Board until 2017. In 1994 Baker drafted the legislation that created the Beginning Farmer Center. He developed the Returning To The Farm seminar for those farmers and ranchers who want to transition the family business to the next generation. In 1995 he created the Farm Savvy farm succession planning manual.
In 1999 he and the late Professor Andrew Errington, University of Plymouth, Seale Hayne Faculty, England, co-founded the FARMTRANSFERS international research project on farm succession and retirement. He was a Co Principal Investigator on the farm Land Access, Succession, Tenure and Sustainability research project. He, Dr. Matt Lobley, Director of the Center Rural Research at Exeter University, Exeter, UK and Ian Whitehead, Professor at the University of Plymouth, Plymouth, England are Co-Editors of “Keeping it in the Family: International Perspectives on Succession and Retirement on Family Farms”.
In 2013, along with Joy Kirkpatrick, Outreach Specialist, University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Profitability developed the Certified Farm Succession Coordinator training program that is delivered through the International Farm Transition Network.
He has given numerous talks throughout the United States on the business succession planning process and has lectured in Canada, England, Ireland, Poland, Japan and New Zealand. He emphasizes the necessity of understanding importance of the connections between the people, plans, and the law.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, a Master of Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Attorney at Law
Iowa State University Cooperative Extension
John R. Baker is the Attorney for Iowa Concern Hotline. In 1989 he created the AgLink matching service to provide opportunities to new entrants to identify opportunities to enter farming. In 1991 he created the Farm On project which links farmers and landowners with beginning farmers. He is a founding member of the International Farm Transition Network and served as the Chair of the Board until 2017. In 1994 Baker drafted the legislation that created the Beginning Farmer Center. He developed the Returning To The Farm seminar for those farmers and ranchers who want to transition the family business to the next generation. In 1995 he created the Farm Savvy farm succession planning manual.
In 1999 he and the late Professor Andrew Errington, University of Plymouth, Seale Hayne Faculty, England, co-founded the FARMTRANSFERS international research project on farm succession and retirement. He was a Co Principal Investigator on the farm Land Access, Succession, Tenure and Sustainability research project. He, Dr. Matt Lobley, Director of the Center Rural Research at Exeter University, Exeter, UK and Ian Whitehead, Professor at the University of Plymouth, Plymouth, England are Co-Editors of “Keeping it in the Family: International Perspectives on Succession and Retirement on Family Farms”.
In 2013, along with Joy Kirkpatrick, Outreach Specialist, University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Profitability developed the Certified Farm Succession Coordinator training program that is delivered through the International Farm Transition Network.
He has given numerous talks throughout the United States on the business succession planning process and has lectured in Canada, England, Ireland, Poland, Japan and New Zealand. He emphasizes the necessity of understanding importance of the connections between the people, plans, and the law.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, a Master of Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
