Topics and Speakers Finalized for American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) 2024 Annual Conference

American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) / AgPR

Andy Neuhofer, Florida Farm Bureau Federation; Curt Covington, AgAmerica; Steve Johnson, chair, Florida Citrus Commission; Andrew Muhammad, Ph.D., University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture; Corey Geiger, Lead Economist for Dairy at CoBank, and Paige Gilligan, CAC, Risk Mitigators & Advisors, are rounding out the slate of speakers for 2024 Annual Conference of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) in Fort Myers, Fla., November 3-5.

Neuhofer, a Florida native with life-long involvement in the state’s agriculture, will lead off with a “Welcome to Florida Agriculture” on Monday morning. He has been with the Farm  Bureau since 1988.

In his role as director of institutional business and managed assets, Covington assists with  credit analysts and production personnel on large agricultural loans. He will bring that  experience to his presentation, “A Look Inside the Head of a Seasoned Ag Banker.”

“Issues Affecting the International Fresh Citrus Trade” will be addressed by Muhammad, a  professor at the university, whose current research focuses on agricultural trade and trade  policy, global competitiveness of U.S. agriculture, effects of trade on developing countries,  and the economic determinants of global diets and food choice. In addition, as the Blasingame Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Policy, he focuses on assisting decision  makers in the evaluation of opportunities, policies, and programs on international trade.

Geiger, who brought scientific, managerial, and policymaking information to the world’s  dairy community as an editor for “Hoard’s Dairyman” for nearly three decades and  authored two award winning ag books, will speak on how “Beef on Dairy Is Transforming  Markets.”

Gilligan’s presentation, “Consulting in an AI Environment,” will draw on her expertise as a  thought leader in the field of collateral valuation and due diligence, and her role as a

trusted advisor in navigating complex financial landscapes. This segment will also satisfy the  ethics course requirement for Certified Ag Consultants (CAC).

Johnson, a fourth-generation citrus grower and cattle rancher, will keynote the Monday  dinner, providing insight on “Florida Agriculture and Its Role in the State’s Diversity.” He  will be able to draw from his experiences as the owner and general manager of Johnson Harvesting, Inc. and Treeair Cattle Co., Inc., as well as his positions with state and county Farm Bureau Federations and the Hardee County Soil and Water Conservation Board.

These presenters will join previously announced speakers Rusty Rumley, JD, LL.M, National Ag Law Center; Chrissy Wozniak, North American Ag; and Don Tyler, Tyler and Associates.

Rumley, back by popular demand, will give attendees an update on the ag industry’s ever changing legal and policy landscape during the Monday afternoon session, November 4.  Wozniak will address “Leveraging Technology to Efficiently Build Your Brand.” Tyler will provide his insights on situations where clients seek assistance with more personal matters with his segment entitled “How to Switch from Consultant to Counselor.”

With the education sessions finalized, the committee has turned its attention to the Tuesday afternoon ag tours, which will be announced shortly.

Conference registration is now available on the website at:

https://www.agconsultants.org/2024_annual_conference.php. The hotel information and  reservation link for the conference room rate of $169 per night at the Crowne Plaza Fort  Myers Gulf Coast can also be found there.

Also posted on that page are the conference details, including sponsorship opportunities.  This information will be updated regularly.

The American Society of Agriculture Consultants (ASAC) is a non-profit organization  whose members represent a diverse range of disciplines in the agriculture industry. ASAC’s  membership is comprised primarily of experienced consultants boasting a wide array of  expertise. Their business models range from sole proprietorships to leadership roles in  larger, multi-consultant organizations, which cover a wide geographical area. To learn more  about how ASAC can help you grow your agricultural consulting business, go  to www.agconsultants.org.





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