Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. He is the 3-time Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of ten books and is widely considered one of the most entertaining and original speakers on trends, innovation and marketing in the world.

Rohit has been invited to deliver “non-boring” keynotes and workshops in 32 countries around the world to change the way teams and leaders think at the World Bank, NASA, Intel, LinkedIn, MetLife, Under Armour, Univision, Disney and hundreds of other well-known organizations. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur and founding the Non-Obvious Company and Ideapress Publishing, he spent 15 years leading marketing strategy at Ogilvy and Leo Burnett where he advised global brands on human behavior, marketing and storytelling.

Outside his speaking and consulting, Rohit has taught persuasive speaking and global marketing as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, is frequently quoted in the global media and writes a monthly column on non-obvious ideas for Inc magazine. Rohit lives in the Washington DC area with his wife and is a proud dad of two boys. He loves the Olympics (he’s been to six!) and actively hates cauliflower.

Lynn is a 4th generation dairy farmer from Baltic South Dakota. The farm was homesteaded by his grandparents in 1874.  This summer they celebrated their 150th year of operation.

Boadwine Farms raises forages for their 5000 cow herd. Lynn is also the managing partner in two other dairy operations in eastern South Dakota. The dairy has been progressive utilizing cover crops, responsible manure application and biogas production at their locations. The dairy herd has also utilized different products for enteric methane reduction. Work continues on their operations to reduce water usage, refine manure separation systems while increasing the number of acres their operations fertilize.

Lauren Brey is the director of strategic partnerships and sustainability for Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative. In this role, she serves as managing director of Farmers for Sustainable Food (FSF) and directs their support of farmer-led conservation groups and sustainability projects. Brey is responsible for leading efforts to expand the FSF farmer-led sustainability project model through a $50 million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities award as well as fostering relationships with other organizations to bring more value and resources to the members of the Voice of Milk. She previously worked as a scientist for a cheese company.

Brey is a 2013 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in food science and life sciences communication.

She is also involved on her family’s dairy and beef farm, Brey Cycle Farm LLC and Brey Family Beef, in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

Lee Briese (BREEZ) is an independent crop consultant from central North Dakota. He works directly with farmers to provide agronomic advice to help improve their individual systems to grow and manage crops profitably. He specializes in helping farmers adopt practices to protect and improve their soil and local environment and economics including reduced till, no-till, cover crops, crop rotation and increased plant diversity. Lee is also involved in projects to help build adviser networks to share knowledge and experiences with how to help farmers implement sustainability practices. Lee earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Dakota State University and his Doctor of Plant Health from the University of Nebraska.

Dr. Jessica Chiartas received her PhD in Soils & Biogeochemistry from the University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on the long-term impacts of agricultural management on soil carbon, soil health and the provision of ecosystem services. Following her PhD, she served as a Postdoctoral fellow and Project Scientist also at UC Davis, where she developed a practice and outcomes-based scoring framework for regenerative agriculture. She is currently Research Manager of the Center for Sustainable Food Systems at University of British Columbia and President/Lead Scientist for RegenScore.

Over the last five years, Jessica has supported businesses, brands, non-profits, and NGOs in developing bespoke monitoring programs to track the environmental, agronomic, and economic impacts of regenerative management; including Ben & Jerry’s, Simple Mills, Daily Harvest, Citizens of Humanity, Community Alliance with Family Farms, Fibershed, and Moonshot Snacks. She is President and Lead Scientist at RegenScore, an evidence-backed, place-based, scoring framework for assessing regenerative agriculture. Jessica is a technical advisor for the North Coast Soil Health Hub, LandCore USA, PlanetFwd, and Crop/Range-C; and served on the Soil Health Advisory Committee for Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC). She is a member of the ASA-CSA-SSSA Science Policy Committee and represents UC Davis in the California Farm Demonstration Network. She is also founder/creator of Soil Life, a website and series of short videos and educational resources that inspire, empower, and engage young people in the many solutions to global challenges that lie right beneath their feet.

Ben Collier is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Farmlink Project, a transformative initiative addressing food waste and hunger across the United States and into Canada. What began as a college dorm room idea quickly grew into a national movement, redistributing over 280 million pounds of nutritious food to communities in need. Launched at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with a single rented U-Haul, The Farmlink Project was built by over 600 college students and now operates with a dedicated 25-person team working to tackle hunger on a systemic level.

The Farmlink Project has garnered significant recognition, including awards such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers Award, the Jefferson Award for Public Service, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Service Award. Widely featured in outlets like The New York Times and ABC World News Tonight, Farmlink’s mission continues to grow, driven by the belief that a future without hunger is within reach.

Mr. Daniell has served as the State Conservationist for Minnesota since 2018 and enjoys the opportunity to help agricultural producers meet conservation and production challenges.

Troy began his NRCS career as a Range Conservationist in Louisiana in 1996.  He later became a District Conservationist in Oklahoma for 6 years; then served as an Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations in Illinois for 7 years.  Troy has also worked at National Headquarters serving2 years as National Initiatives Team Coordinator and as Acting Branch Chief for EQIP.  

In 2011, he moved to his home State of Texas where he worked as the State Administrative Officer, State Financial Assistance Programs Manager and Acting Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations in just prior to accepting the State Conservationist position in Minnesota. Troy went back to National Headquarters in 2023 to work as the Acting Branch Chief for Projects.

Mr. Daniell serves as a member of the Chiefs Advisory Committee and as the Chair of the Soil Health Advisory Board. He has worked on multiple process improvement projects to support agency improvement over his career. Mr. Daniell comes from a multi-generational family agricultural operation. He maintains a role in his families farming and ranching activities in Texas. He has a passion for ensuring support for a sustainable American agriculture system for future generations.  

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Louis DeMaso is a Manager of Pinion's sustainability consulting team. Through his work, Louis has developed a deep understanding of the environmental, social, and business challenges faced by agricultural producers and food companies. He collaborates with organizations throughout food and agriculture supply chains – including growers, processors, retailers, investors, non-profits, and industry associations – providing actionable insights and tailored solutions that help them solve sustainability challenges and create lasting value.

Kristin Duncanson is an owner and partner at Highland Family Farms located in Mapleton, MN.

Kristin and husband of 30 plus years, Pat, raise corn, soybeans, rye, oats, specialty corn and hogs with a commitment to a triple bottom line approach: economic profitability, environmental improvement and community engagement.

Kristin is an advisor at the Meridian Institute’s AGree project, former chair and current board member of the MN AgriGrowth Council.  Past Chair of the Non-Profit Feeding Our Communities Partners, past chair of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, former board member of the American Soybean Growers, a member of AAPEX, Moving Forward Advisory Council and several commodity groups.

In 2017, she became a Board Member of the Mankato Area Foundation and served as the Foundation’s Board chair until 2.023 In June 2018 at she became a  Trustee for the Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

In 2024 Kristin will serve as a Walton Family Foundation Fellow  and chair of the Taylor Family Farms Foundation Board.

In 2001-2002, Kristin attended the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute where she was a Policy Fellow.  She is a 1981 graduate of Luther College with a degree in Political Science and Communications and a 2012 graduate of TEPAP at Texas A&M.

Kristin started her professional career on Capitol Hill in the office of Senator Rudy Boschwitz as a legislative aide before moving back to Minnesota to work at Hubbard Milling Company as territory manager and specialty feed marketing manager. Kristin served as the Director of the Mapleton Child Center from 2000 to 2002.

The Duncanson’s attend St John’s Lutheran Church in Mapleton where Kristin served as the council president for six years and still provides supply ministry.  She also mentor’s seminary student who are planning to engage in rural ministry for the ELCA.

She is a Masterpiece Art Instructor, an activity which is near and dear to her heart.

Pat and Kristin are parents to four young adult children, have five grandchildren and enjoy traveling the world where they are not always comfortable.

Meet Malique Fowler, an Environmental Science and Technology major from Montego Bay, Jamaica, now studying at the University of Maryland - College Park. Driven by a passion for sustainable development, Malique is committed to making a real difference in environmental practices through innovative legal strategies. As an aspiring environmental lawyer, he actively engages with organizations like AFA to advance sustainable agricultural techniques that are both effective and equitable. Join him at the AG Sustainability Summit in Minneapolis, MN, this November 20-21, where he’ll discuss how legal frameworks can catalyze lasting environmental change. Be part of the movement toward a more sustainable future with Malique!

Janssen Hang is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Hmong American Farmers Association. Janssen grew up growing, harvesting and selling vegetables for the local food economy and currently runs his family-owned value-added business making spring rolls and egg rolls at the downtown Saint Paul Farmers Market.

A 2001 Saint Olaf graduate in Biology and Asian Studies, Janssen has over 20 years of experience in agriculture, 12 years in small business management, and 7 years as a licensed-real estate agent. Janssen is also one among just a few certified Hmong Mekongs (cultural broker).

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John Hanselman is passionate about recycling organics, once considered waste, into renewable energy and low-carbon fertilizer. His focus is developing organic waste and decarbonization solutions for food and beverage manufacturers, corporations, and food retailers and enhancing regenerative agriculture practices alongside Vanguard’s farm partners. Mr. Hanselman has over thirty years of experience leading renewable energy, environmental, and mission-driven companies. He is a well-known speaker at energy, waste, and sustainability conferences.

Dr. Wayne Honeycutt is President and CEO of the nonprofit Soil Health Institute, where he leads the Institute’s programs to safeguard and enhance the vitality and productivity of soils.  He previously served for 5 years as the Deputy Chief for Science and Technology with USDA-NRCS in Washington, DC, where he led programs to ensure NRCS conservation practices reflect the latest scientific advances for conserving the nation’s soil, water, air, plant, animal, and energy resources.  He served as a Research Soil Scientist for 14 years and a Research Leader for 11 years with the USDA-ARS New England Plant, Soil, and Water Laboratory, where he led and conducted interdisciplinary research on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling and sustainable cropping systems development.  In those roles he led national research teams for predicting nutrient availability, developed procedures adopted by ARS for coordinating research nationally, published over 90 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and 9 book chapters, and received regional and national awards for technology transfer.  He served on assignments to the USDA-ARS National Program Staff and to the United States Senate.  

Wayne’s commitment to agriculture is rooted in his experiences with raising tobacco, corn, and other crops on his family’s 120-acre farm in Kentucky.  He holds a Bachelor's degree in Forestry and Master's degree in Soil Science from the University of Kentucky and a Ph.D. in Soil Genesis from Colorado State University.  He is a graduate of the Mastering the Art of Public Leadership executive development program at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC; and the Performance Excellence and Knowledge executive development program of USDA.  He was the 2018 recipient of the Hugh Hammond Bennett Award, the highest honor bestowed on an individual by the Soil and Water Conservation Society, and the 2023 recipient of the Soil Science Industry and Professional Leadership Award from the Soil Science Society of America.

Bill Knapke is the Environmental Manager at Cooper Farms and has worked there since 1996. Cooper Farms is fully integrated in the turkey business with breeders, two hatcheries, contract growers, a processing plant for heavy tom turkeys and a further processing plant. In the chicken egg business Cooper Farms has contract growers and in line production as well as a breaking plant for liquid egg and pasteurized products. Swine production includes farrowing facilities as well as contract growers for nursery, finishing and wean/finish production. Bill is responsible for environmental compliance at the feed mills, processing plants and nutrient management with company owned farms and guidance for contract growers.

As a farmer, personally, Bill raises corn, beans and rye. He is a livestock producer as well growing cage free pullets and nursery pigs and dairy beef production. The Knapke farm is all no-till and cover crop and utilizes manure on the farm as well as selling manure to other area farmers.

I am a fifth-generation sustainable family dairy farmer from Buffalo, Minnesota. I farm with my son Andrew. We milk 350 Holstein cows and run 500 acres of alfalfa, winter rye, and corn. I serve as the Chair of the Midwest Dairy Corporate board, First Vice Chair of United Dairy Industry Association, US dairy ambassador Global Dairy Platform. I also serve as a Dairy Farmer of America council director and the Chair of Board for Centra Sota Cooperative in central Minnesota. Our family has been recognized as the Minnesota Milk Producers- Producer of the year, Dairy Farmers of America- Members of Distinction, National Dairy Shrine- Progressive Dairy Producer, National Milk Producers Federation- Spokesperson of the Year. We believe that we do not own the land, we are only caring for it for the next generation.

Ryan Locke is currently theDirector of Sustainability Partnerships and Business Development at Nutrien AgSolutions, a global agricultural fertilizer and crop inputs provider.  In this role he guides the North Americanengagement and partnership strategy and serves as the global liaison forNutrien’s sustiable ag efforts supporting agriculture producer’s access,participation, and value capture in sustainability and climate smart alignedfarm-level programming throughout the ag value chain.  Before his time at Nutrien, Ryan heldprevious roles of increasing responsibility with market leading organizationsincluding FMC, Bayer Crop Science, Novozymes, and Syngenta.

He is aprofessional member and National President-Elect of Minorites in Agriculture,Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS), an organization focused ondevelopment and highlighting talent in the agriculture and natural resourcesfields.  Ryan is also a founding memberof Young Professionals in Agriculture and a 2023 Farm Foundation YoungAgri-Food Leader.

Levi and his family farm near Keota, IA. They raise organic corn and soybeans and as well as, aronia berries, tart cherries, and various other fruits. Levi’s Indigenous Fruit Enterprises (LIFE) seeks to facilitate the profitability and sustainability of small farms. Previously an organic inspector, Levi now consults farmers transitioning to organic certified production. He recently started The Levi Lyle Podcast to provide a platform for thought-leaders and out-of-the-box thinking. In addition to spending quality time with his wife, Jill, and their five children, he enjoys playing banjo and guitar. He has published two books, available at www.levilyle.com and on Amazon.

Gary Matteson is a senior advisor to Farm Credit’s trade association in Washington, DC.  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 20 years to thousands of beginning farmers in conferences, seminars, webinars, and college classrooms.  Mr. Matteson specializes in making basic business concepts approachable and relevant to beginning farmers.

For thirty years Gary 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, Native Agriculture Financial Services, and many other non-profits.

Macie McPeak is serving as a Student Advisor along with 9 other team members for Agriculture Future of America. Originally from the Central Valley of California, Macie now calls Oklahoma State University her home while pursuing a dual degree in Plant and Soil Science and Agribusiness. With a strong foundation in agricultural research, student industry experience, and leadership, Macie has worked as an OSU Undergraduate Research Lab Manager, BASF Technical Service Intern, and Ambassador for Agriculture Future of America. Finishing up her last year in undergraduate school, Macie looks forward to exploring her options to get involved in the industry.

Paul is the CEO and Founder of Athian, a sustainability software company that has built the world’s first carbon insetting Marketplace for the livestock industry. Athian’s platform provides quality greenhouse gas insetting credits that fund livestock producers’ sustainability measures. Athian was funded by industry leading companies in animal health (Elanco & DSM Venturing), Dairy (Newtrient & California Dairies Inc.), and Beef (Tyson Ventures).

Paul is a serial software startup CEO, but he comes from three generations of cattle ranchers in the 4-corners region of the US Southwest.

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Keith Olander is the Executive Director of AgCentric, Minnesota State Northern Agricultural Center of Excellence. He also oversees strategic agricultural partnerships at Central Lakes College as Dean of Agricultural Studies.

As Executive Director of AgCentric, Keith’s major responsibilities are to augment the capacity and enrollment in comprehensive agricultural education from K-12, through post-secondary to fill industry needs. Workforce development includes building partnerships, developing seamless educational pathways, and informing audiences of the agricultural web that surrounds every person who enjoys a good meal and an environment that is sustainable. Directing the work of Minnesota Farm Business Management is also a major part of his role for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities with 62 faculty at 7 colleges with nearly 3,000 students (farmers). Key components of this program is farmer well-being (financially & mentally) and rural mental health.

Keith is married with 3 children and they reside in rural Staples. Keith owns and operates a crop farm consisting predominantly of a corn and soybean rotation. Faith, family, and his passion for agriculture consume his schedule.

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Cory Peter has led Nutrition 101 for over 20 years.  His education in agricultural engineering, business, and finance allowed Nutrition 101 to grow into a leading provider of eco-friendly, waste management services for food processors and retailers. The company has become a go-to partner for regional, national, and global food manufacturers seeking end-to-end waste management solutions that reflect their own sustainability goals. 101’s service offering involves the repurposing of food residuals from manufacturers and retailers into nutritious livestock feed, compost, and green energy products like bio-gas – reducing waste, landfill usage, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Don Schiefelbein is a prominent leader in the cattle industry and the President of Schiefelbein Farms in Kimball, Minnesota. With over 30 years of experience in breeding and marketing, he collaborates with his family on a large, diversified farming operation known for its innovative genetic programs.

A Cum Laude graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Don has held key roles including Executive Director and President of the American Gelbvieh Association, where he managed a multi-million dollar budget and directed a 20-member team.

As a respected speaker, Don has presented at industry events across the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and South Africa. His leadership roles include President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in 2022 and past President of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association. He is dedicated to advancing sustainable practices in agriculture.\

Outside of work, Don enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and their three daughters, Shelby, Abbey, and Bailee.

Jack Scott serves as Nestlé Purina’s Vice President of Sustainable Sourcing where his team is focused on ensuring the sustainable and responsible sourcing of ingredients across several ingredient categories including meat, poultry, cereals, soy, and seafood.  Additionally, Jack leads regenerative agriculture efforts working closely with the agricultural community as part of Nestle’s climate commitment.

Jack joined the Nestle Family in 2003 and worked 10 years in consumer brand marketing at Nestle Purina U.S. and Nestle China Ltd.  Since 2013, Jack has led sustainable sourcing efforts for Nestle and Purina working within domestic and international supply chains, including leading operation teams in China and Thailand.  His experiences and knowledge of supply chains from the origin of materials and processing of ingredients to consumer branded products brings a unique and comprehensive perspective of value chain creation for sustainability.

As a final note, Jack is a vocal advocate for farmer families and ranchers recognizing their pivotal role in leading the sustainable changes we all wish to see.  He is highly engaged in multiple collaborations with farmers, supply chain partners, NGOs, and other stakeholder organizations and sits on multiple Board of Directors including the American Farm Bureau Foundation, Field to Market, and the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs.

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Rod Snyder served in the Biden-Harris Administration from October 2021 through August 2024 as Senior Advisor for Agriculture to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In March 2024, he was named as the director of EPA’s newly established Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Snyder is recognized for more than two decades of leadership at the intersection of agricultural and environmental policy. From 2014-2021, he served as president of Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, which is the largest multi-stakeholder initiative working to advance the sustainability of commodity crop farming in the United States. In this role, he forged science-based consensus among diverse stakeholders across the food and agriculture value chain on complex issues such as climate change, water quality, biodiversity, and pest management. In 2015, Snyder co-founded the Sustainable Agriculture Summit, which has grown to be the largest and most prominent annual sustainable agriculture conference in North America.

Prior to his time at Field to Market, Snyder held positions as Public Policy Director for the National Corn Growers Association and Government Affairs Leader for CropLife America. He has been a longtime champion of agricultural solutions to climate change and has on two occasions organized farmer delegations to participate in UN Climate Summits in Paris and Copenhagen.

Snyder holds a B.A. in Political Science from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. He resides on his family farm in Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia.

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Kalyn Taylor is currently a postdoctoral research soil scientist with the USDA-ARS Rangeland Resources and Systems Research Unit in Fort Collins, Colorado. She obtained her master’s degree in soil science at UW-Madison while investigating how various long-term cropping systems impact soil health. In 2022, she graduated with her Ph.D. from University of California, Davis in soils and biogeochemistry where she compared the impact of annual versus perennial grain production on soil health. She is thrilled to now utilize her training to investigate the effects of grazing intensity and rotational grazing on soil health in the U.S. Western Great Plains. Her current work and prior research experience at Colorado State University, UW-Madison, and UC Davis have provided her the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from numerous environmental partners such as land managers, policy makers, industry leaders, scientists, and extension and outreach professionals.

Bob Walker is the co-owner and operator of Walker Farms in Yum Yum, Tennessee. Alongside his brother, he raises cattle and grows cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay, most of which is on land that has been in the family since the 1830s. With a suite of sustainability practices that include no-till, cover crops, integrated pest management, variable rate fertility applications, and variable rate seeding, Bob only puts out what he need, when it’s needed.

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Aly Wells is the Global Biodiversity Program Lead for Corteva Agriscience. In this role, Aly works with internal and external stakeholders to advance Corteva’s commitment to support biodiversity and regenerative agriculture outcomes on 25 million acres globally by 2030. Prior to her current role, Aly was the North America Sustainability Manager for Corteva.

Before joining Corteva in 2021, Aly spent six years with the Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Corn Growers Association, first as Livestock & Aquaculture Program Manager and then as Production & Environment Director. She started her career in agriculture as Policy & Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Aly has a Juris Doctor and a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from Indiana University McKinney School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Butler University.

Mike Williams is a rancher who, with his wife Lynda run Diamond W Cattle Company, a commercial cow/calf operation in Los Angeles County California. Mike is the President of the Los Angeles County Cattlemen’s Association, the Chair of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and the Vice Chairman of the California Beef Council. He also serves on the California Cattlemen’s Association’s Executive Committee, the Board of Directors of the California Cattlemen’s Foundation and as the Vice Chair of the California Cattlemen’s Associations Ag and Food Policy Committee.

Maia Woodard is the 2024-2025 Region IV Graduate Student Vice-President for MANRRS. A proud “Rattler”, she is a two time alumnus of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. She received her Bachelor's degree in Agronomy from Florida A&M University in 2022; and her Masters degree in Agricultural Science with a concentration in soil and water in 2024. Currently, she is a doctoral student at Louisiana State University in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences. In her free time, Maia enjoys gardening, reading, and hiking.

Sara Wyant leads Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc., a digital media company with the largest and most experienced editorial team covering agriculture and food policy issues in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, CA. The firm’s subscription-only products and website, Agri-Pulse.com, include the latest updates on farm policy, commodity and conservation programs, trade, nutrition, food safety, rural development, and environmental and regulatory programs. She is an award-winning journalist who is widely recognized on Capitol Hill. A graduate of Iowa State University, Wyant grew up on a Century farm near Marengo, Iowa, which she now owns. She and her husband also own the farm where her husband’s family originally established a homestead near Almont, North Dakota.