Ag Banking Program

Ag Banking Conference

Program

     Speakers
     Session Info

Resources

Sponsors

Stay updated on agricultural markets, economics, and risk management. The Ag Banking Conference enhances your knowledge and skills to better serve your ag customers.

2025 Program

Wednesday, August 20th 2025

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.Registration & Refreshments
10:30 a.m.Welcome & Introductions
Kaylee Heap, Emcee
10:40 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.From Farm to Finance: Leading Change and Growth in Ag Banking
Kaylee Heap, Senior Grain Portfolio Manager, GROWMARK, Inc.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Farm Business Success & Income Outlook: Strategies and Risks for 2025
Bob Rea, CEO, Illinois Farm Business Farm Management Association
Gary Schnitkey, UofI Professor; farmdoc
12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.Networking Lunch
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Legislative Update: Key Policy Developments Impacting Ag Banking
Ben Jackson, EVP, Government Relations, Illinois Bankers Association
Ed Elfmann, SVP, Agricultural and Rural Banking Policy, American Bankers Association 
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.Securing the Future: Succession, Strategies in Farmland Ownership
Thomas Jennings and Ryan Michaelsen, Livingston, Barger, Brandt & Schroeder, LLP
3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.Break 
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.Managing Through Economic Chaos
Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech
4:45pm-6:00pmNetworking Reception

Thursday, August 21st 2025

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.Breakfast Buffet
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.Renewables on the Farm: What to Know About Wind and Solar Leases
Ryan A. Michaelsen & Thomas Jennings, Livingston, Barger, Brandt & Schroeder, LLP
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.Break
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.Grain Markets Outlook
Matt Bennet, AgMarket.Net®
10:30 a.m. – 11: 00 a.m.Fireside Chat with Matt Bennett & Eric Snodgrass
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. High Impact Meteorology – Changes in Predictive Science
Eric Snodgrass, Sr. Science Fellow, Nutrien Ag Solutions

Speakers

Speakers

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Matt Bennett

AgMarket.Net®

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Ed Eflmann

SVP, Agricultural and Rural Banking Policy
American Bankers Association

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Kaylee Heap

Senior Grain Portfolio Manager
GROWMARK, Inc.

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Ben Jackson

EVP, Government Relations
Illinois Bankers Association

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Dr. David Kohl

Professor Emeritus
Virginia Tech NOT AgriVisions, LLC

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Bob Rhea

Illinois Farm Business Farm Management Association

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Eric Snodgrass

Sr. Science Fellow
Nutrien Ag Solutions

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Gary Schnitkey

UofI Professor; farmdoc

This program is subject to change. Please bookmark this page to check for continuing updates.


Agricultural Advisory Committee

Interested in shaping the future of agricultural banking? Join the Agricultural Advisory Committee and contribute to planning next year's Ag Banking Conference. For questions, contact Lyndee Fein.