Hays: Energy, Water and Natural Resources/ Understanding Infrastructure – XVI

Hays: Energy, Water and Natural Resources/ Understanding Infrastructure – XVI

Nathan Miller
Benton

Energy, Water and Natural Resources/ Understanding Infrastructure

Day One
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Submitted by: Nathan Miller

Russell, KS–Location: Dole-Specter Conference Center

10:00am: Optional

– Many individuals got to tour some projects going on within Russell and the downtown area of Russell. A lot is going on in that sector and making great strides. I couldn’t make it to the tours, so any specific details, reminders, or questions please reach out to Andrea Krauss. She’s being a rock star for these projects and the city of Russell.

11:30am:

– We heard from the Russell City Manager John Jonquinday. He talked about the Pure Field Ingredient Plant. This plant consists of an ethanol, gluten processor, fish food, and power plant. It’s very efficient, recycles most of the water it uses, and is currently going through an expansion. They can utilize by products to create little waste. Russell purchased part of the R9 Ranch for their water needs. It sounded like a great plant and the expansion will be very beneficial.

12:00pm-1:00pm: TALK5KARL

– Luke Ahmend: “The world is ran by those who show up.” & “God can’t steer a parked car.” Showing up for the community/friendships and action is extremely important.

– Sara Arnberger: Made a great point how she didn’t come from an agriculture background and after KARL views her job differently. That many farmers and ag industries do not always seek out involvement, so she must go to them to get their input and involvement. It was encouraging to hear how she’s going to go find those agriculture connections.

– Ashley Beying: Revaluating community and economic development for her and her family’s community. Where do I want our community to be in 5 years? Will it be a place for my children to come back home to and stay?

– Jamie Boggs: Had a wonderful presentation, full of pictures and quotes. Discussed how she always had a reason to say NO to applying for KARL, but it’s never a “perfect” time so go for it. Be okay with failure and always invite people to the table. Don’t miss the good stuff (people)!

– Carl Claassen: Discussed how KARL brought people with different backgrounds together and experiences outside of agriculture. Also being able to discuss different ideas and ways of accomplishing goals.

– Andrea Dietel: Touched on a very important topic which was Ag suicide prevention and how it impacts communities. How she’d been to basically all the cities we visited, BUT now see’s areas through new eyes and different light. Redefine community!

– Greg Georing: KARL helped an introvert get out of his comfort zone and help become more extroverted. It was worth taking the time to show up even in the busyness of life.

– Ryan Engle: Networking with different backgrounds of people-jobs, BUT all going towards the same goal. Enjoyed seeing the diversity of Kansas industries and farming. Really appreciated seeing the quality of people throughout the entire state.

– Sarah Henry: You know you’ve made it when you get to work with your friends. Talked about enjoying relationship building, networking, and how these relationships have and will continue to expand in the future.

1:00pm: Mike Morley with Midwest Energy and John O. Farmer III with John O. Farmer, Inc.

– Mike and John talked a lot about the energy sector. The covered wind, solar, fossil fuels, and natural gas.

– They provided their backgrounds and how John O. Farmer Inc was started and their future. We were able to ask them both many questions and it was a very open dialogue.

– Discussed how many solar and wind farms are being funded by overseas companies and how much of the energy produced goes elsewhere.

– We also talked about renewable energies, compressed natural gas, batteries, and EV’s.

2:15pm: Warren Martin, Executive Director of Kansas Strong: The Ks Oil and Gas Resources Fund

– Warren did an entertaining presentation utilizing many different Valentine’s Day products. The overall message was how every product a part of his presentation had one thing in common: petroleum

– He informed us about A LOT of facts when it comes to the oil and gas industry.

o 40% of the barrel of oil goes to gasoline.

o 80% of producers produce 20% of the oil.

o 20% of producers are producing 80% of the oil.

o 2% of the energy is produced by wind and solar.

o 60% of the world population is energy deprived.

o 40% of the fuel price is about the cost of logistics.

o The number of jobs tied to oil and gas was staggering.

o Big void of workers in the age range of 35-55 in the oil industry

o 26% more energy will be needed by 2050.

§ How are we going to get there?

– Warren also discussed how he’s able to go speak at schools to shed some light into the oil and gas industry for students.

-3:00pm: Matt Drieling, Vice President/Geophysicist at John O. Farmer, Inc.

– He presented on how the oil and gas industry utilizes 3D seismic technique to help geologists and engineers to find out where possible hydrocarbon is thousands of feet below the earth surface.

– Matt talked about how the 3D seismic works, obtaining the data, and analyzing the data.

– One big thing that stood out was how improved and more accurate utilizing this technology had made the industry.

-3:30pm: Oil Lease and tank battery tour with John O. Farmer Inc.

– We were able to meet at and learn about the exploration of oil within Russell County and how an oil well works. We also got to visit a tank battery where the oil is delivered to and the logistics of it all.

– They helped break down how an oil well works, the drilling process, and finished product. They also discussed all the safety procedures they follow and constant monitoring as they drill a well.

– The type of wells used, oil production per day, and how you cap a well that is not producing anymore was also covered.

-4:30pm: Tour of the “Cathedral of the Plains” in Victoria, Ks.

-As we traveled from Russell to Hays who ever wanted to go to tour the Cathedral. It was very pretty.

-7:00pm: Burke Griggs, Professor of Law Washburn University

– Presentation on “Leadership in Water Law and Policy”

– Burke Griggs talked in great detail about the law and water.

– He talked about different water rights such as Senior, Junior, etc. type of water rights.

– A history of water rights and lawsuits were discussed. For example, Kansas going to court vs Colorado and Nebraska at different times about water rights.

– He answered many questions pertaining to water law.

– I feel he opened many eyes to how complicated and complex water law truly is.

Andrea Krauss did a fantastic job being chair that day. If there are any questions or you want more information pertaining to this day please reach out to Andrea Krauss.

Eli Svaty
Liberal

Energy, Water and Natural Resources/ Understanding Infrastructure

Day Two
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Submitted by: Eli Svaty

Our first full day during the Hays Seminar included a short drive across town to the newly
renovated The Strand in downtown Hays. The venue was fabulous. Originally serving as a
theater and then a retail shop, the space included high ceilings, the original tin tiles, beautiful chandeliers, and ample space for presentations or festivities.

The agenda included a full lineup of speakers. We began with Dr. Grady Dixon from FHSU who
spoke to us about leadership. What kind of leaders do we want to be? Cheerleaders or
Changeleaders? According to Dixon, agriculture doesn’t need cheerleaders right now. Yes,
those roles are important, but agriculture right now needs changeleaders. We, as the KARL
Class XVI, can be those voices of innovation in agriculture that take this historically critical role
and modernize it with the rest of the world.

From Dixon, our conversation once again turned to water with a presentation by Dr. Charles
Rice of K-State. RIce’s presentation reviewed climate data for our region and the world and
showcased not only how much has changed over the last few decades but also how much is
projected to change in the coming years. His work on a long-term field study of tillage versus
no-till offered great insight into the importance of soil health and the role that producer choices
make in that.

The first panel of the day included Susan Metzger, Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, and Toby Dougherty.
This was moderated by KARL Board member Troy Dumler. Sometimes, panel discussions feel
like broken records with participants repeating what the previous speaker said. This was not the
case at all. While all three panelists care about water in Kansas and beyond, their experiences
with this resource and the impact it has on our communities and economies were all very
unique. This gave us the chance to see how the water issue is being addressed at the city level,
at the state level, and at the policy level.

We enjoyed a fabulous lunch catered by Gella’s and had some time afterwards to explore the
new shops in downtown Hays. Some of us were even able to take a quick driving tour of a local
feedlot that Ryan Engle, a class XVI fellow, had helped finance. It had been years since any of
us had crammed six grown men into a pickup truck, but we did it, and we had a great time
checking the pens. It appeared that the others enjoyed their time in downtown Hays, too, since
so many returned to The Strand with gifts and packages from local shops.

Jill Zimmerman was the queen of Kansas Trivia. All board members and those associated with
KARL should be proud of that fact. We have several proud and competitive Kansans in the
group–myself included–and there was no doubt that she answered more questions and faster
than anyone else. Kudos to her.

Perhaps the greatest takeaway of the afternoon presentation and maybe the whole session was
the question posed during the Kansas Sampler Foundation time. Are you owning your
community, or are you just renting your community? This forced us to think about the
relationship we have with the towns we call home. Do we invest our time, energy, and resources
into a place like we own it? Or do we use and abuse a town like a temporary resident? A gut
check for sure.

The afternoon also included the second wave of Talk 5 presentations. Today’s group continued
the trend of seriousness and emotional gratitude for the program and the friendships that it has
created.

Our evening festivities included a dinner at Thirsty’s followed by some billiards and refreshments
at The Golden Q. This was our last evening together as a class prior to the international tour, so
the group was limited to the class and our leaders. Despite the rust that many of us showed with
a pool cue in hand, the evening was a grand time, and one I’m sure we’ll all remember.

Nick Peters
Goessel

Energy, Water and Natural Resources/ Understanding Infrastructure

Day Three

Friday, February 16, 2024
Submitted by: Nick Peters

The final day of our Hays, Ks seminar took place in the hotel conference room. The speaker for the morning was Dr. Jill Arnsdorf. She is the Provost of Fort Hays State University and a Hill City, KS native. She challenged us on “What’s Next- Taking it back home.”

One main question/thought that was brought up was “As you think about your communities/organizations that you will go back to, what are your aspirations for that community/org?” The class was then split up in to groups to talk about this question and come up with ideas. Most of the answers consisted of the importance of being the person that is willing to take risks. As a group, we need to help provide the energy and ideas to make changes and improvements when we return home.

Another question she asked was “What is the current reality of your community/organization?” There was wide variety of answers ranging from communities that are very ‘forward thinking’ and progressive to those that tend to be stuck in old ways and habits. Dr. Arnsdorf then presented us with the term of Adaptive leadership Challenge, which is the gap between your current situation and your goals.

Some ways that we can help narrow this gap and help move the needle to a more positive outlook for change in our communities/organizations is to keep the stakeholders involved and informed. It’s important to keep ideas and thoughts going with conversations that contain multiple people in the community. Making connections inside and outside of the community is key! Talking with others that are dealing with the same issues and talking with those that have gone through similar issues is very important. One really good idea that was mentioned was to form peer groups within the community to build relationships make trusting each other easier.

Economies of Kansas & Global Leadership Seminar – XVI

Economies of Kansas & Global Leadership Seminar – XVI

Iryna McDonald
Hays

Economies of Kansas & Global Leadership Day One
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Submitted by: Iryna McDonald

The KARL group gathered at the Drury Plaza hotel in Wichita and left on a bus to visit the Southern Kansas Cotton Growers in Anthony, Kansas. The group had an amazing opportunity to learn more about the history and production of cotton in Kansas and met with board members and CEO of Southern Kansas Cotton Growers (SKCG).

The CEO of SKCG, Gary Fiest, provided an overview of cotton production across southern Kansas and the 1995 Farm Bill, “Freedom to Farm” provisions, permitting cotton to be grown on all previously restricted “program acres.” In the spring of 1996, a small group of producers in Cowley and Sumner counties in the east and Seward and Stevens Counties in the Southwest began planting a limited number of cotton acres in Kansas. The first modern cotton gin was established in Winfield, ginning 4.4450 bales, marking the rebirth of Kansas cotton production and ginning in the Southern area. A second gin has since been constructed in Anthony, Kansas.

The KARL group had a wonderful opportunity to tour the cotton gin located in Anthony and learn all about the ginning process of cotton. Jim McClung, board member for SKCG, noted southern Kansas has favorable conditions for cotton growth with a yield range of 1200 to 1600 pounds per acre. With new genetics, yield and quality can be improved. Robust rural economies rely on consistent farm income, and cotton yields and prices frequently rank among the most robust in comparison to other crops in the Southwest.

The textile industry in the United States uses an annual average of 7.6 million bales of cotton where a single bale is approximately 480 pounds. More than half of this quantity (57%) goes into apparel, 36% into home furnishings, and 7% into industrial products. Export of U.S. cotton plays a crucial role in alleviating the U.S. trade deficit. On an annual basis, the overseas sales of U.S. cotton have consistently surpassed $2 billion. In recent times, the United States has been a major contributor to the global cotton market, providing over 10.5 million bales, representing approximately 37% of the total world export market. China and Mexico stand out as the primary recipients of U.S. cotton.

The board members and CEO of SKCG stated that their mission is to protect the interests and resources of Kansas farmers and create a passion for the cotton industry, as each of them is a key part of success in the rural community, and they are all trying to help each other be successful. Following our tour of the cotton gin the KARL group visited Harper Industries located in Harper KS. Harper Industries may be one of the nation’s leading producers of agricultural, turf and hydraulic power equipment.

Tim Penner, President, and CEO of Harper Industries, provided insights into the company tracing back to Dewey Hostetler’s ingenuity in designing hay-handling equipment. Dewey’s initial workshop near Harper evolved into a functioning business in 1974 with the products aptly named DewEze. Tim Penner, administrator at Harper Industries in 1991, witnessed the company’s growth. On Feb. 6, 1998, he received a phone call and dinner invitation from the CEO of the

public company Owosso, parent company to DewEze Manufacturing. Owosso was reluctant to sell the business due to the industry diversification DewEze offered (e.g., manufacturing of agriculture, hydraulics and turf equipment). This meant splitting the company and restructuring operations, however, Tim was able to purchase the company in 1998 and rebranded DewEze Manufacturing to Harper Industries.

Today, it remains a locally owned and operated enterprise, achieving remarkable success. The company’s revenue surged from $5 million in 1998 to an impressive $50 million with a doubling in employment and continual advancement of the product line. It was due to the management and leadership of Tim that created a culture of success believing it is you that make things happen as a team. By allowing his employees the opportunity to become shareholders employees feel more connected to the company, increasing job performance and satisfaction.

The Vice President of Operation Harper Industry Luke Thornton (KARL class XI) give an overview of culture and leadership development at Harper industries. Caring leaders foster effective communication and is the core value to the success of Harper Industries. The company focuses on diversification while identifying niche markets for each agricultural product. Luke pointed that Harper Industries are passionate about the strengthening rural communities across America and serving the world through Christs love.

The core values of the company are:

Authentic – speak truth

Driven – be self-starter

Humble – lead by serving

Trustworthy – depend on each other.

As Luke mentioned, to be leader we need to be appreciative of everything and do not forget to say that to others.

KARL class XVI had a wonderful panel discussion with Melisa Bergkamp, Vice president of Sales and Marketing (KARL class XIV), learning about Harper Industries holding a prominent place in the market and how the rural community and education of the younger generation is supported.

KARL class XVI enjoyed a wonderful dinner that was provided by Harper Industries, complete with homemade ice cream and cookies. We met wonderful people and enjoyed great experiences touring Harper Industries and engaged in discussion of the importance of what makes rural America special.

Derick McGhee
Lenexa

Economies of Kansas & Global Leadership Day Two

Thursday, January 18, 2024
Submitted by: Derick McGhee

We started off day two by jumping on the bus, most of us made the bus… We had to circle back and get our KARL board members, we were grateful they spent time exploring Wichita with us. We then headed to our first stop at McConnell Air Force Base where we had a briefing by the Wing Commander, Corey Damon and the Chief, Laura Hoover.

During the briefing we learned about the missions that the 22nd air refueling wing conduct to impact the range of our air force, along with fulfilling humanitarian needs. The impact on the Wichita area by the base was surprising to us, the base is the 4th largest employer in South Central, KS. This responsibility was not lost on the base leadership, they have a huge focus on giving back to the community. They urged us to attend Wichita’s Airshow hosted at the McConnell Air Force Base August 24-25, 2024. Then the airmen who have responsibility for one of the KC-46 refueling jets, shared with pride how they deliver their missions with a tour of the aircraft. Letting us know that the boom on this jet can unload 1,200 gal per min of fuel in the air.

We took off to our next stop at Textron Aviation, where they conduct the final assembly of the Cessna, Beechcraft and Halker airplanes. Textron employs about 13,000 people across the state in their aviation division, with about 70% of this work force being union employees. The team at Textron was excited to share the manufacturing process with us by providing a tour of the assembly floor. During the wrap up discussion, they shared the many opportunities they deploy to help recruit the vast workforce needed in the aviation industry.

Dale, our awesome bus driver, returned us to the hotel where we convened for a panel discussion from the Spain pre-trip crew. This panel did a great job of sharing the history, culture and items needed for our international tour coming up in March. During the evening session our group had the chance to network with the Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program.

The real icing on the day was our chance to hear from Judge Tommy Webb about his life story. Judge Webb was born in Korea where he found himself at an orphanage around Soul. Tommy was adopted by a family in Oklahoma and later relocated to the Junction City, KS community. Judge Webb later became the first Asian judge in the state of KS. The judge left the group with the challenge to approach each day with the outlook of “today well lived”!

Jamie Boggs
Buhler

Economies of Kansas & Global Leadership Day Three

Friday, January 19, 2024
Submitted by: Jamie Boggs

After a brutally cold start to the day, the class met at Cargill Protein Headquarters. Day 3 Chair, Nathan Miller, set the tone for the day with a brief welcome showcasing his signature blend of famed dad jokes and deep thoughts!

The first presenter for the day was John Rolfe, President/CEO of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. He provided an overview of the region, industry, partnerships, and upcoming initiatives aimed at fostering Wichita’s continued growth.

Highlights of Mr. Rolfe’s presentation included the following:

· The Chamber’s strategic priorities going forward include advocacy, quality of life, a robust business environment, talent, and sustainability.

· With just over 1,400 members, the Chamber’s staff and volunteer base are committed to achieving success for their members, leadership for the community, and prosperity for the region.

· Wichita’s key industries include aviation, technology, financial institutions, colleges, and aviation suppliers. There are over 400 individual suppliers in Wichita that serve the aviation industry alone. Many of the top manufacturing companies in Kansas including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Koch Industries, call Wichita home.

· The city’s current focal points include a strategic initiative addressing homelessness, significant updates to the fine arts and entertainment district, and a concerted effort towards downtown revitalization.

John Rolfe was a great spokesman for the Wichita region, emphasizing the importance that the health of Wichita is vital to the health of Kansas!

Up next was Meghan Mueseler, KARL alumni and the Responsible Sourcing Lead for Cargill Protein North America. Her primary focus lies in conducting social compliance audits and overseeing responsible sourcing practices. This includes working with organizations such as Save the Children and The Centre for Child Rights and Business to assess and prevent the risk of child labor in the communities where Cargill operates its protein facilities.

Meghan discussed Cargill’s efforts to understand the preferences of the younger consumer, providing several examples of current issues. She also explained the company’s commitment to social compliance, social responsibility, and social sourcing. Cargill Protein has 44 facilities in North America, employing approximately 6,000 people in Kansas.

The day’s most anticipated yet initially feared moment unfolded with our concluding speaker, Cathy McClain from Dauntless Leadership, LLC. The class was assigned prework in the form of an online evaluation called the Hogan Assessment. This assessment is said to examine how and why people behave the way they do from every angle. Additionally, this approach provides the information to hire the right person, identify and develop individuals and build leaders.

When the initial results were shared via email, the class WhatsApp group broke out in laughter, comments, and good-natured heckling. The amusement stemmed from how several of the initial results (or lack thereof) resonated with each person’s career/focus/personality, etc. We were anxious to learn more!

Cathy started her presentation by breaking down personality and why it matters in leadership growth.

– People who know themselves…

o Seek feedback and act on it.

o Are more successful than those who don’t.

– People who lack self-awareness…

o Have blind spots.

o Ignore feedback they do receive.

o Top-out or fail.

The Hogan Assessment results are broken down into 3 inventory reports.

· MVPI – Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory

o Includes personal goals, interests, and drivers

o What environment will you create/thrive in?

· HPI – Hogan Personality Inventory

o Everyday strengths and weaknesses

o What do you bring to the job?

· HDS – Hogan Development Survey

o Overused strengths that derail careers

o What will get in your way?

After we understood what we were looking at, she placed us in a variety of fun, hypothetical scenarios, and asked us to share strategies for success based on our personality types. These exercises provided an opportunity to gain self-awareness and valuable insights both personally and how we can contribute effectively within our respective organizations.

The final conversation of the day was with a panel of KARL alum detailing our next steps as we approach the final sessions of our experience. Each panelist gave examples of how we can continue to serve the KARL program in the future.

Lastly, I would like to give a shoutout to our chair of the day, Nathan. We’ve all come to know him as a deep, emotional thinker and he finished the day in that very way. He shared his thoughts on his KARL experience, urging us all to consider how we can make a difference as we move forward. Nathan told us about a meaningful conversation he had with a producer when he started his business last year and it has resonated with me every day since. “God can’t steer a parked car”. It’s a daily reminder that we can’t stand still in our communities to make a difference. We must have action and keep moving for God to steer us!

Domestic Study Tour – XVI

Domestic Study Tour – XVI

Marysville (KS), Lincoln (NE) & KC Federal Reserve

Megan Hobbs
Newton

Domestic Study Tour Day One
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Submitted by: Megan Hobbs

Landoll Corporation

Marysville City

Evening meal: Landoll Lanes

Andrea Dietel
Madison

Domestic Study Tour Day Two
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Submitted by: Andrea Dietel

Break out sessions

Josh Demers and Mike Young

Ben Williamson 

Jesse

Mitch

Marble Technologies 

Engler 

Kevin Logan
Hesston

Domestic Study Tour Day Three–KC Federal Reserve Bank
Friday, November 10, 2023
Submitted by: Kevin Logan

Morning-Mr. Ryan Engle served as Host for the Day.

8:00—Left Hotel for Federal Reserve Bank

8:30—Arrival at Fed. Reserve, Checked-In, and Proceeded to Presentation Hall on 2nd Floor

-Coffee, Juice, and Snacks were available while the class was able to informally visit with the day’s presentors.

9:00—Welcome by Jeffery Schmid: President and Chief Exec. Officer of the KC Fed. Reserve.

9:10–History of the Federal Reserve-Presented by Tim Todd, Exec. Writer and Historian.

(History and Structure of the Federal Reserve Bank)

-Established in 1913

-Tasked w/ providing Monetary Stability and Financial Stability

-Prior to the Federal Reserve

-The first US Central Bank was a 20 year charter shortly after the nation was founded

-This charter expired and during the War of 1812, the US did not have a central bank.

-The Second Central Bank was in existence from 1816-1833. Andrew Jackson doesn’t see the need for the bank and veto’s an attempt to extend its charter.

-Most of the 1800’s in the US were financially unstable.

-In 1907 JP Morgan began doing “Central Bank” things. In response to Morgan’s actions, the US Congress didn’t want one person to use their money to save the economy and earn that type of “influence.”

– A congressional action in 1913 created the Federal Reserve in 1913.

-The Federal Reserve Bank had 7 Governors. These governors serve staggered 14 yr. terms.

-There are 12 Federal Reserve Banks-Each with a Board of Directors.

-KC ended up w/ a Fed. Reserve Regional Bank due to the efforts of Jerome Thralls.

9:45 Ag Economy-Presented by Franciso Scott, Economist

-General Ag Outlook was discussed

-Kansas follows general US economy factors. No big outliers

-Covid-19 has elevated commodity prices

-KS commodity prices are still a little “artificially” high

-The US has overall Strong External markets, but China, Asia, and Mexico are challenging US grains in the Feed and Energy markets.

-KS follows trends in US Agricultural Expenses

-Both revenues and expenses have increased from 2019-2020.

-Carl, from Plains, asked, “What is the outlook on China?” Dr. Scott’s answer, “Main indicators point to small economic growth in China, this is concerning to the US, especially in our pork exports.”

-Ashley, from Waverly, asked, “Exports from the US have gone down, do we see partners of China furthering this?” Dr. Scott’s answer, “We are competitive in exports, but Brazil is cheaper in the markets. US prices are offset positively in bio-fuels industry.”

-Danielle, from Hays, asked, “What about net-worth; Good increase in capital to put into new production and machinery, but we have very high interest rates?” Dr. Scott’s answer, “Yes, farmers have built up capital, but there are pockets of stress across the region.”

-Ryan, from Madison, asked, Will real estate prices remain high or will they pull back with the continue high interest rates?” Dr. Scott’s answer, “I do not see land values going down.”

10:40 The Power of Community Banks-Presented by Joe Gruber, Exec. VP and Dir. of Research

– Banks are those with less than $10 Billion in Assets.

-Most banks, in fact 95% of banks, are Community Banks

-Banking Regulatory Frameworks really cut back on the number from banks during the 1980’s, from 15,000 to 4,500.

-Community Banks consist of approximately 95% of the total bank numbers, but hold only about 15% of the total assets.

-Community Banks are more flexible to address consumer needs as evidenced by the COVID-19 relief fund distributions to small businesses.

-Inflation is necessary for the nation’s growth, 2% is the target.

11:30 Lunch—Jeffery Schmid, President and CEO Joined us.

-He is a native Nebraskan

-Bachelors from University of Nebraska, Lincoln

– Master from Southern Methodist University

-Owns a small farm in Humbolt, NB; very down to earth person. Interesting point he made, he is the only “banker-by-training” who is the President and CEO of any of the nation’s Federal Reserve Banks. The rest are from other backgrounds.

-Was in his 10th week in current role during our visit.

-Work on a process called “FED NOW,” allowing payments to be made “any day, any hour, any time.”

12:15p Tour of the Fed. Reserve-by Volunteer Eric

-Information on the currency and coin display collection.

-Pointed out that $10 Million in $100’s weighs about 880 lbs.

-The KC Federal Reserve Processes between $104 Million and $208 Million/day.

1:05 Bus Departed for MHK

Southeast Kansas – XVI

Navigating Change

Mark Palen
Beloit

Southeast Kansas Day One
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Submitted by: Mark Palen

Day one of the Southeast Kansas session began at the Miners Hall Museum in Franklin Kansas where we started off with a tour of the museum and all the artifacts showcasing the mining operations in the area from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. After everyone arrived, we had lunch and then listened to a presentation by Dr. Randy Roberts. Dr. Roberts shared the history of the Little Balkans of Kansas and the area of Crawford and Cherokee Counties. We learned there was an influx of immigrant settlers from 1880-1940 and how they setup and mined coal and other heavy metals from the region.

After finishing up at the museum, we traveled to the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Jason Wesco, President and CSO, gave us the history of how he helped form the non-profit organization that is focus on improving health care and access to health care for Southeast Kansas. Starting in 1997, CHC/SEK has grown from a small outreach to a regional organization serving over 70,000 patients a year as of recent. Jason share his passion for ensuring that every child receives the care they need – whether physical or mental – and the various ways that they have approached providing those needs.

The day concluded with drinks and a Hawaiian Luau buffet at Hampton Inn conference center. Trisha Purdon gave a presentation on “Changing the strategy for Rural Prosperity”. Trisha is the director of Rural Prosperity, Kansas Department of Commerce, and shared with us some of the work her office has been doing since being formed by Governor Kelly in 2019. Trisha’s goal is to seek out rural communities that are struggling in different aspects and connect them with solutions. She offered the KARL class and guests that we are all leaders and that it is up to us to take action. She feels strongly that we are the individuals who can make a difference in Kansas rural prosperity.

Dr. Danielle Kaminski
Hays

Southeast Kansas Day Two
Thursday, December 7, 2023
Submitted by: Danielle Kaminski

Economics is the study of scarce resources. Because of finite and scarce resources people face trade-offs, and if like economists, will use cost-benefit analysis to decide in which ventures to engage. Day 2 of the KARL Class XVI Pittsburg seminar was made for an economist to experience. Scott Williams introduced our bus tour by saying that he would discuss the pros (benefits) and cons (costs) of the area and its mining history with us throughout. Two pros (depending on perspective) were that the mines were great spaces to bury bodies (if you were part of the local mafia) and to make moonshine during Prohibition. But even what looks to be net positive may have some negative effects such as the common fights and deaths on Friday and Saturday nights after excessive consumption of such moonshine. Even our bus presented trade-offs: hard school bus seats (con) but it was willing and capable of traversing dirt roads (pro). The biggest trade-off Pittsburg made unintentionally was valuing economic success in the present (once the richest county in the state with approximately 20,000 people) over economic success in the future. Many people left the area as mining left. What remained was pollution, like the waste pit of Mine 19 or contaminated chat on roads, and toxic waters from the mines. Pittsburg serves as a cautionary tale of only striving for immediate economic success and ignoring future consequences (known as present bias in economics). But that statement is perhaps a bit harsh. People of the time would have known mining was difficult work but may not have known all of the long-run side-effects of mining.

In the evening Dr. Vincent Amanor-Boadu explained that the difficult job of leaders is to be a visionary into that unknown future. He stated leadership is about knowing what the future holds and leading the present there. It’s about not relying on risk, which looks to the past for possible events and their likelihood, but rather realizing the future will not be just like the past and planning for that uncertainty. As if predicting the future were not challenging enough, leaders then have the unenviable task of making conditions uncomfortably hot for others so that they experience enough pain to be motivated to act and change their futures. In rural communities preparing for the future and motivating others depends on not forgetting those who move from the community to more urban areas. Those migrants may wish to return some day but feel unwelcomed in their hometown after leaving. That is an experience we want less people to have moving forward. Dr. Amanor-Boadu’s remarks emphasized thinking of pros and cons in both the present and the future.

After a long day of very thought-provoking activities, we finished our evening in communion over Christmas gifts and games. The con was that the desserts were so good they inspired overeating. (Thank goodness for the “healthy” option of chocolate covered strawberries.) Hope you all had wonderful holidays, filled with temptations of present bias for eating delicious food provided by farmers and ranchers, to close 2023.

Genesis 2.0 – XVI

Genesis 2.0 Council Grove

Wendy Hughes
Ellinwood

Genesis 2.0 Day One
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Submitted by: Wendy Hughes

Sitting under the canopy in the Flint Hills, you could almost hear the voices singing; “Home on the Range” as Tom Moxly and Rich Porter gave us the history of their ranches. A listening session with these gentlemen started our second year of KARL off in Council Grove, KS. They ranch on the best grazing land in the world, land that has been there for more than 10,000 years and over 600 species of natural prairie plants. It use to stretch from Canada to Mexico and now is only in this part of Kansas. Tom explained that during severe drought, the Flint Hills saved the American Beef industry by being able to sustain cattle, not by having deep ponds, but by housing deep-rooted plants that can survive severe grazing. Both of these ranches have different ranching plans, but they were very adamant that you must have a plan to survive. They are friends. Their fathers were friends. They all have the same quote. ”It doesn’t matter how big you stay at the top, it’s how big you stay at the bottom” It is all a matter of risk and you must have a backup plan.

We met after lunch and started the session by singing happy birthday to our President, Jill Zimmerman. The Mayor of Council Grove, Debbie Swartzfeger, welcomed us by giving us an update of their quaint little town. They have had 24 new businesses start up in the last year and a half. Three years ago, the town did not even have a venue to hold 30 people and now there is a new donut shop going in. The hotel, The Cottage House, is the longest running hotel in Kansas and the Hays House restaurant is the oldest continuously ran restaurant west of the Mississippi.

Colene Lind, Associate Professor in the Miller School of Media and Communication, spoke with us about egocentric communication. We seem to be the only species that has figured out how to read what others think, causing miscommunication. When we as a group make others feel good, it gives good feelings to ourselves as well. Appreciation, obligation and accommodation are three things we must consider when working with others. Three things she left us with are: watch for opportunity to show appreciation, build-up others whenever you can and when you have to say no, show you are committed to something bigger.

We finished the afternoon off with our Talk5 presentations. We each gave a five-minute update of where life has taken us since our last session in March.

Tom Jones, owner and manager of High Plains Feed yard was our guest speaker after dinner at the newly renovated Territory Ballroom, where our sessions took place while in Council Grove. Tom spoke about his long hard trail to owning his own business, from whacking rats with a shovel, not seeing the back of a horse for three years to being able to attend Kansas State University. He went from being on the dean’s list of bad student to being on the Deans Advisory Council today. He has completed extensive research projects for the CDC and United Nations. He has worked with the dairy industry to develop a more muscular round for young steers for meat. He stated that he is currently working with Texas Tech University to develop genetic selection flavor in cattle. “Sometimes you have to just go for it and don’t be afraid of hitting the wall. There are lots of banks out there.”

Lindsey Ott
Wichita

Genesis 2.0 Day Two
Friday, August 25, 2023
Submitted by: Lindsey Ott

Council Grove, KS–Genesis 2.0 day 2 kicked off with a fantastic breakfast of coffee, breakfast burritos, and cinnamon rolls at our conference venue, the Territory Ballroom. After breakfast, we resumed our Talk5KARL presentations by starting with Danielle Kaminski and concluding with Adam York.

Our next session was a panel composed of local entrepreneurs:

· Bobby and Christy Alexander (Alexander ArtWorks, Council Grove, KS)

· Elle White (Grove Gardens, Council Grove, KS)

· Jacquelyn Leffler (Leffler Prime Performance, Americus, KS)

· Shane Tiffany (Tiffany Cattle Co., Herrington, KS)

J.J. Jones served as moderator.

In their introductions, the panelists describe the path they took to their current positions. Jacquelyn Leffler mentioned having blended interests in making a living including coaching sports and raising cattle for 4-Hers. She said that farming is a challenge with the economy so she didn’t plan to go into ag but instead it happened naturally and unintentionally.

Shane Tiffany discussed how he and his brother had an outside financier provide the funds to start a feedlot. His goal is to pay-it-forward and invest in local businesses. He also owns a grocery store, auto shop, and regenerative agriculture company.

Christy Alexander said “the storyline is never a straight-line” and that she and her husband had to make their own opportunity for art in their hometown. They started by making and selling stained glass in their garage. Then they outgrew this space and bought a place on Main street in Council Grove.

All of the panelist discussed the risks of starting a business in small town Kansas. For some, the plan was to fall back on previous job experiences (i.e., teacher, pastor) if their businesses didn’t succeed. As employers, the panelists discussed the need to treat their employees well, foster a positive work culture, and empower and delegate to their employees.

Christy Alexander discussed what motivated them as they started their business. They wanted to bring a different spirit to the downtown and prove to themselves and others that it was possible to succeed as a small business in a rural Kansas downtown.

All the panelist discussed the need to foster a positive relationship between the local businesses and the community, where local businesses give back to the community. And the need for local businesses to build synergistic partnerships with other local businesses.

Shane Tiffany mentioned an example of giving back – creating a low or 0% interest loan to support new businesses. During the discussion, J.J. Jones recommended the following books, “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek and “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins.

The KARL team and guests broke for lunch at the historic Hays House where we enjoyed chicken fried steak, meatloaf, Cajun pasta, and shrimp salad. After lunch, Carl and Mary Ice spoke to our group. Carl Ice spent his career at BNSF and said that BNSF made leadership development a priority. Carl and Mary both prioritize leadership and community involvement. During his career, he always noticed what people gave their time to because this was a reflection of what they cared about. For him, he never cancelled a safety meeting at BNSF because he prioritized the safety of his employees and customers. A career in leadership involves some tradeoffs when balancing work and family. The Ice’s moved every few years while also maintaining community involvement like coaching and scout leaders. They really prioritize giving back to students with one example being Cats’ Cupboard at Kansas State University. 40% of college students are food insecure. In response, Cats’ Cupboard provides students immediate access to food and personal hygiene items at no cost.

Carl and Mary Ice are also involved in nature conservancy to maintain the remaining Tallgrass Prairie. When asked about the future of transportation, Carl discussed how technologies can be utilized by the transportation industry to improve working conditions and improve work quality. One example, is using technology to inspect the railroad track. He also discussed how railroads are good for the environment because they use less fuel than other means of transport. On the rail, 1 ton of freight is transported 450 miles using 1 gallon of fuel. While working with Berkshire Hathway, Carl was tasked with estimating the amount of freight transported between two US cities by BNSF. The result was that 15% of all freight transported between 2 US cities is handled by BNSF! Carl discussed his career path at BNSF – he worked there for 42 years where he started as an intern and became CEO. The Ice’s concluded their discussion by emphasizing how important education is at all levels and that we all need to spend time developing our passion and going out and doing something that is relevant and beneficial to others.

After lunch, we moved back to the Territory Ballroom for the final few events of Genesis 2.0. Russell Plaschka from the Kansas Department of Agriculture helped our class dive into what drives us as leaders. He asked us to reflect on the question, “What matters most to me?” and write it down on a 3×5 card. Then we broke out into teams of two, where we asked each other why that thing we wrote down on our card matters. This “why” question was asked five times. After the fifth “why”, that “why” was the ultimate thing that matters the most. “Leaders keep their eyes, minds, and heart on the true prize.” Then Russell asked us to answer the following 3 questions: How does this show up? What challenges do I face as I affect change? What am I willing to do about it?

Following our reflection on leadership, Russell facilitated the KARL class discussion and reflections on the last two days. He asked: “What is one thing you heard from the seminar?” KARL class members responded with the following answers: keep your dollars local, get involved, make conscious decisions and make a difference, help people see value in their community, don’t be afraid to fail, define success and failure, don’t succumb to imposter syndrome and be your authentic self, allow people space to grow and accommodate, do something that is relevant and you are passionate about, don’t have to agree to get along. He asked: “What made an impact?” KARL class members responded with the following answers: doing the Legacy interviews with family members that Nick Peters mentioned in his Talk5KARL; a change in perspective that things happen for us, not to us. He asked: “What are we going to do with the ideas/impacts of the seminar?” KARL class members responded with the following answers: work on implementing these ideas from now until our next meeting in November, use our drive home to reflect on the seminar and think up great ideas. In November, we will answer the question, “What did you start to implement?”

After a few closing remarks by Jill Zimmerman, we adjourned the seminar around 3 pm.

Gettysburg Leadership Experience – XVI

Gettysburg Leadership Experience

Eli Svaty
Liberal

Gettysburg Leadership Experience Day One
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Submitted by: Eli Svaty

Our first morning in Gettysburg, PA greeted us with partly cloudy skies and cool temperatures, a stark contrast to the windswept days experiencing our National Service seminar in D.C.

Jeffrey Harding, our guide, played his harmonica on the bus as we traveled to our first stop: Cemetery Ridge. For most in the group, these were our first steps on the physical battlefield that weighs so heavily in our history. Despite the growth of the country, despite the modern amenities we all enjoy, the reality of that battlefield and the significance of that place is still very much alive. In silence, we listened as our guides discussed what took place there and what we would be experiencing over the next few days. In the distance, a woodpecker could be heard attending to a tree. 

From Cemetery Ridge, we loaded the bus and drove the short distance to the Gettysburg Museum. A short introductory film provided additional historical context for us. This was followed by an experience at the cyclorama painting titled “Battle of Gettysburg” by the French artist Paul Philippoteaux. The Gettysburg Cyclorama is 377 feet long, 42 feet high and weighs 12.5 tons. It was powerful to see this recreation on canvas, but nothing could prepare us for the experience of walking these same fields and hills over the next two days. 

The museum was ours to explore for the next hour, having to share it only with one or two school groups. This afforded us the time to move slowly, read carefully, and absorb the importance of those artifacts and the lives that were sacrificed only a few miles to the west. 

We left the museum and loaded the bus for a tour of the battlefields. Up to this point, our experiences in Gettysburg had been limited to the town square, museum, and cemetery ridge. Personally, seeing the layout of the town, the roads, and the battlefields, completely changed my perspective of the battle. The springtime tour prior to leaves and crops allowed us panoramic views of the monuments, the artillery, and the hallowed grounds. Everything seemed so close as they drove us through the first positions chosen by Buford and the advantage afforded him by the higher ground and the seminary’s cupola. But as we drove, we were continually reminded of the lives that were lost on this very ground and the efforts that were made to preserve this land and its memories. 

It’s impossible for a Kansan to not feel pride knowing that our own President Eisenhower had such a strong connection to that place. His farm and ranch there makes for an idyllic refuge. 

Lunch was back at the hotel. We were served a garden fresh salad with grilled chicken, shrimp, and steak. Our appetites exceeded their expectations. 

The afternoon brought our first dedicated leadership training of the Gettysburg experience: Anticipatory Leadership. Using the historical context of day 1 of the Battle of Gettysburg, we learned and discussed the importance of the high ground. Our key battlefield figure was the Union General John Buford. Following the classroom work, we returned to the battlefield to walk the grounds of that first day’s fighting. We looked down the road on which the Confederate Army approached, we stood amongst the “Witness Trees” near where General Reynolds was killed, and we talked about the decisions that were made by both sides that day, and the impacts those had on the battle and our country’s history. 

Our homework for the evening was to consider our own organization’s “high ground.” What positions our organization to succeed? What needs to be done today in preparation for tomorrow?

Dinner that evening was served at the Dobbin House. While the emphasis of these few days was on the American Civil War, this particular home’s history preceded these events.  Built in 1776 by Reverend Alexander Dobbin, this building served as his family’s home and religious school. It was also a safehouse for the Underground Railroad. In 2023, it served as our gathering place. After an assortment of delicious appetizers, dinner included options for a grilled filet, grilled chicken, or crab cakes. We were joined by several battlefield guides as well as the leadership academy’s instructors. 

Following dinner, we shared our takeaways, emphasizing the importance of that day’s learning as well as the juxtaposition of Gettysburg with Washington D.C. and our learning there. For many in the group, this evening’s takeaways hit differently than usual. 

Many chose to walk the few short blocks back to the town square and the Gettysburg Hotel. The evening was crisp and clear, and our conversations reflected the gravity of the day’s experiences and the impact that this program was having on our lives. 


KARL Class XVI Associates

KARL Friends & Fellows Ag Tour

The Big Gathering

Registration is now open! Please register HERE by Friday, May 19. We hope to see you there!

National Service Seminar – XVI

National Service Seminar

Regan Reif
Great Bend

National Service Day One
Monday, March 13, 2023
Submitted by: Regan Reif

As we began our first full day in Washington DC, Sarah Henry opened the morning by introducing our first speaker of the day, Mike Torrey, Founder and Principal of the Torrey Advisory Group (previously known as Michael Torrey Associates). Mike graciously hosted our KARL Class XVI and presenters in his office building.

KARL Class XVI’s first day in DC was packed full of information. I’ve done my best to summarize highlights below from the 8 amazing presentations we heard. It’s also important to note how touching it was to hear from so many Kansans doing remarkable work for our state, country, and the world. To say we had an incredibly inspiring group of speakers on Monday is an understatement.

Key highlights from Mike Torrey’s presentation:

– Mike grew up south of Wamego. He worked at Kansas Grain and Feed early in his career. He moved to DC, back to Kansas, and then returned to DC. He found his “sweet spot” at the intersection of food and ag policy. In 2005, among many personal/life changes, he “stepped off the cliff” to start his own business as a lobby firm, but does non-lobbyist work too. His consulting firm serves all those involved in the supply chain, and he believes it is critical to break down silos between different groups. His business is now known as Torrey Advisory Group.

– We must challenge ourselves to think of multi-century ideas. Right now, we have so much data and ideas coming to us that we focus on the most immediate future. There is a technology gap between all the data we now have access to and what to do with it. In the space between technology and research, many answers can be found. Leaders need to take the time to think about 100-year ideas. Rural and ag should be proud of our heritage and stability—consider the Kansas Grain and Feed Association and Kansas Livestock Association’s long histories.

– Washington DC and what happens there are very important. Understanding how DC works makes you better at your job/life at home. Additionally, it’s critical to make sure young people understand the importance of DC.

– Everything has a lobbyist. If you don’t tell your story, others will tell it for you. If you are telling your story to a decision maker, make sure you have also worked the story out with those who disagree—seek agreement!

– To be the most effective, don’t worry about who gets the credit. So much more can happen when who receives the credit isn’t a concern for those involved.

– Regarding government spending, keep in mind that the last time Congress passed all appropriation bills on time was 1989. The last budget they agreed upon was in 1995.

– There seems to be a shift in politics. It no longer feels like the goal is to win an argument but rather how you can put your opponent “in jail” or get a few minutes of fame. You must be engaged because so much data and information are available. ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! The last two elections came down to 3 states—Wisconsin in both elections.

– In reflecting upon his career, he explained striving for excellence versus success and would encourage us to do the same. Excellence is being the very best and takes much more time, risk, and work. Success is typically measured by numbers, year-end results or goals being met. It is short-term.

James Glueck and Tara Smith from Torrey Advisory group presented a presentation on Farm Bill 101. Key highlights:

– While there are numerous policies that impact the agriculture sector, we must be realistic about which ones are part of the actual farm bill conversation because of jurisdictions. Leaders working on the Farm Bill try to keep lines very clear and be very respectful about what’s in their space and what is not, so other committees return that respect.

– The farm bill is reauthorized every 5 years and is the primary driver of federal farm and food policy. It addresses a range of issues across 10+ titles. The first Farm Bill, which is permanent law, was part of the New Deal for farmers in 1933.

– It’s the people that make the policy. Be aware of who leads the Senate and House Ag Committees. There has been significant turnover as several senior players from both parties have retired since the last Farm Bill. Many current members haven’t been part of a Farm Bill conversation. However, we should be encouraged as there has been some good bi-partisan efforts such as re-signing pesticides.

– So much has happened over the past 5 years since the last Farm Bill—some examples include: government spending, the war in Ukraine, disaster assistance, COVID-19 pandemic impacts, climate change/weather, production costs and inflation, trade challenges and supply chain disruptions.

– Speaking specifically of crop insurance, it is permanent law. High commodity prices mean a “more” expensive crop insurance program. Crop insurance is the second most expensive title after nutrition which creates a target because of the large budget number. Support for and opposition to crop insurance are bipartisan, although the importance of the program is now understood well by both parties and from elected officials from all parts of the country. They stressed that we must preserve and protect this title.

– There are two newer discussions happening regarding the intersections of climate and crop insurance and crop insurance and disaster assistance.

– The 2019 Farm Bill was $867B. The 2024 Farm Bill is expected to be approximately $1.5T.

– While the Farm Bill addresses topics it does not guarantee implementation by the USDA. It is common that some parts of a Farm Bill do not get implemented prior to the new Farm Bill.

– COVID highlighted food security issues with bare grocery store shelves and inflation.

– Programs need to be adaptable! Not all programs are practical. Navigate away from one-size-fits-all programs specifically related to cover crop and climate issues.

– Think through technology and innovation solutions to help alleviate some labor issues from a Farm Bill standpoint.

Sarah Little and Amber Kirchoefer presented on the process of building a national memorial, specifically The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial. Key highlights:

– The importance of relationships cannot be discounted. Ted Stevens (Alaska) and Danny Inouye (Hawaii) were WWII veterans and friends.

– The process for the memorial began in 1999. The groundbreaking occurred in 2017. The process to build monuments is significant and often has controversy and delays. This is not unique to the Eisenhower Memorial.

– Famed architect, Frank Gehry, designed the memorial which went through several design changes over time.

– Pat Roberts becomes the Commission Chair in 2015 and things progress. When Bob Dole is brought on-board, he is instrumental in gaining the support needed.

– The groundbreaking happened in 2017. The memorial’s dedication was initially scheduled for the 75th anniversary of V Day on May 8, 2020, but was postponed to September 17, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

– In addition to major supporters, foreign countries also donated to the Eisenhower Memorial (example: Taiwan).

Rod Snyder, Senior Ag Advisor to EPA Administration, presentation key highlights:

– Rod has spent the last 20 years in the ag sector; however, he only recently joined the government sector in Fall 2021. His position is a political appointment by President Biden’s administration. This ag advisor role was created approx. 25 years ago to help foster the EPA/ag connection and provided a direct line to the food/ag sector.

– Rod’s boss is Michael Regan, EPA Administrator. Administrator Regan wanted to go to rural Kansas and toured a rural school and family farms.

– Rod’s time is spent mainly on the tough or “prickly” issues such as pesticide policy, water policy and issues, bio-fuels policy, livestock issues and rural-focused issues. His philosophy is to follow the science and follow the law.

– Think through how in mid-century we will need to feed 10B people with the same or less land (urbanization). We must be able to feed the global population and need to bring technology and innovation to scale.

Gregg Doud – VP Global Situational Awareness and Chief Economist for Aimpoint Research / Former Ag Chief Negotiator for President Trump. Presentation key highlights:

– Gregg is from Mankato, Kansas originally. He has been in DC for 30 years. Gregg was an incredible speaker and shared many stories from his career with us.

– The most important chart, in Gregg’s opinion, is the price of hogs in China as half the pigs in the world are in China. Also, continue watching the price of tallow which is now being used in aviation fuel.

– It is critical we understand “How do we feed 9B people in ~2050?” We are going to use tech and we should not apologize for it.

– Recommended reading:

o Farmers vs. Foodies by Ray Starling

o Never Give an Inch by Mike Pompeo

o Peter Zion books

– “Kill the chickens to scare the monkeys” is a metaphor to the regulatory system in China

– China bought $18B of protein last year. This is the first time that China is allowing GMO crops to be grown.

– Historic that this year the USDA will report that Brazil will export more corn (50M tons) than the USA (49M tons) to China. Two huge factors: African swine fever and the war in Ukraine.

– Trade agreements aren’t economic; they are mostly geo-political.

– Learn to use silence! It can be an invaluable tool during negotiations.

– The USA is not liberal and conservative. It is city-folks and non-city-folks as Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh taught. There are many more city folks, so figure out how to effectively lobby them. As Dr. Flinchbaugh said, “practice the politics of the minority.”

Mike Seyfert, President and CEO, National Grain and Feed Association, presentation key highlights:

– Mike grew up in Minneapolis, Kansas. He was an intern and staffer for Sen. Roberts. He has been in Washington DC for 27-28 years.

– Ag is a “small town” whether you’re in Kansas or in Washington DC.

– Key issues/happenings for National Grain and Feed Association:

o Shipping, transportation, logistics, infrastructure—war in Ukraine, rail strikes, Mississippi River issues/drought

o Snake River in Pacific Northwest

o IIJB infrastructure bill; race against other countries who are quickly upgrading all infrastructure

o Relationship with China as the #1 ag export relationship; their population tipped for the first time in 2022.

o Sustainability/climate … The consumer is changing and therefore we must have discussions, even when the discussions are hard.

– Ag is still very bipartisan by nature. Don’t look at leaders as Republicans or Democrats, but rather as Aggies and be sure to connect with them from rural and/or ag standpoint.

– While in DC, don’t forget to pause and remember where you are. Step back and think about the people, debates, and decisions that have taken place in these hallways and rooms.

Terri Moore, VP of Communications, American Farm Bureau Federation, presentation highlights:

– Communicate the “why” to make sure people understand it.

– Ag waited to tell our side of the sustainability conversation and now others have shaped the narrative. We are now having to win it back.

– The words we choose are important. You can say the same thing but use different words—profitable vs economic sustainability.

– To gain trust your messenger must be authentic. They can use facts, figures, and data, but communicating values is 3 to 5 times more impactful than data. Therefore, conveying values should be front-of-mind in communication. Establishing shared values creates trust.

– We live in a land of misinformation and disinformation which is scary. If those distorting the message have gained trust, it will be tough to win them over.

– 2% of the US population is involved in agriculture. We should not expect the general population to understand ag. Keep this in mind when communicating with others and don’t use jargon.

– Communicate shared values in ag…don’t rely on the science and economics. There are different ways to communicate shared values.

o Food

o Animals

o Environment

o People

– Listen to understand and engage without judgement. You must understand others’ perspective. Remain committed to doing the right thing.

– #StillFarming was AFBF’s most effective marketing campaign during COVID when consumers’ trust dipped due to empty store shelves. It remains hugely effective to this day.

– Video is a critical marketing tool—even cell phone videos. The cell phone video sometimes feels more credible than a produced video because of the speaker’s authenticity.

– 76% of Americans trust farmers and ranchers to care for the environment. Imagine what happens when we amplify our message.

– In research regarding the Farm Bill, they tested removing the nutrition program. It would be much more difficult to pass the Farm Bill if this happened. If another bill was created without including the nutrition program in it, the other plan/bill would probably not pass.

Jon Hixson, Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Global Government Affairs at Yum! Brands presentation highlights:

– Native Kansan from WaKeeney. Jon was a staffer and worked on Capitol Hill. He then went to Cargill where he spent 12 years in the US and 3 years in Southeast Asia. Jon returned to DC to work in government affairs. He is a “global wanderer in the food market.” He has now worked for Yum! for 6 years. This is his first experience for a publicly traded company. YUM opens approximately 11 restaurants every day around the world.

– Trust model… authenticity, reliability, and orientation (yourself and/or community) … What you live/do and how you do it.

– RED: relevant, easy, distinctive

– Stay “on culture.” US producers must engage and be relevant. When we share our values, they resonate with the public.

– As an industry we need to get better about talking about the “why” in the simplest form.

– There is power in collaboration of leadership’s voice. We have power—especially as a group. We must champion/support/bounce ideas off other leaders.

– Yum is currently opening the most restaurants in Asia. KFC is their most global restaurant.

– Regarding the conversation of fast food vs. nutritious food, Yum! intentionally doesn’t have kids’ meals. (Salt, fat, sugar = the eye of the storm in public health.)

Monday was definitely a jam-packed first day in DC filled with incredible presenters and information. The expertise these speakers shared with us was remarkable. It was also special because so many of the speakers call Kansas home. After wrapping up these inspiring presentations, our class traveled to the Fish Market in Alexandria, Virginia, and enjoyed a great evening of fellowship.


Travis Graber
Haven

National Service Day Two
Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Submitted by: Travis Graber

Class XVI started day two in Washington, DC, at the USDA building. For the morning session, we combined with the ag rural leadership groups from four other states – Virginia, Kentucky, Washington, and New Mexico.

Dr. Basil Gooden – Director of State Operations for Rural Development

– The group was welcomed and hosted by Dr. Basil Gooden. He spoke briefly about his time in the Virginia Agriculture Leaders program and how it helped him immensely by providing exposure to new areas related to the agriculture industry. He is a native Virginian, where he and his family still own and operate a farm where they raise black angus beef cattle.

Xochitl Torres Small – Under Secretary for Rural Development

– As with other speakers, Ms. Torres Small discussed the USDA’s focus on rural America and how the future for Agriculture is forging opportunity where we live. She wants people to be able to do the work they love in a place they love.

– The financial aspect is difficult for many producers. Despite net profits for agriculture last year, half of producers operate in the red, and a high percentage of producers rely on off-farm income.

– Ms. Torres Small’s vision: supporting innovation that’s already happening. Allowing farms to get a greater share of the $1 for their product so they can reinvest that in rural America.

Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh – former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture

– Dr. Bronaugh has a background in education and extension work. She taught a vocational class in high school, then when into extension work, was a college dean, worked for the FSA, and was then a state commissioner of Ag. Through her career, she found a passion for working with young people and developing the next generation of leaders.

– When Dr. Bronaugh joined the USDA as the Deputy Secretary of Ag, she knew that equity would be a big part of her work. She was confident though that there’s an opportunity for every producer at the table.

– She noted a couple challenges she sees for the USDA: 1) how funding/resources are given out and how to make it more equitable, and 2) funding for extension programs.

– As with others, Dr. Bronaugh discussed some leadership advice. She mentioned something she gained from participating in a leadership program was her ability to create and articulate a vision. She was adamant that professionals need to think about work-life balance and how we may have to learn to say no at times. For her, the biggest no’s were in the evenings. Boundaries are sometimes needed for self-preservation.

Zach Ducheneaux – Administrator, USDA Farm Service Agency

– Mr. Ducheneaux has a ranching background in South Dakota and previously held the position of Executive Director of the Intertribal Ag Council.

– He discussed how the USDA/FSA has room to grow in how Ag finance is done. He mentioned the farm ownership portfolio operates at a negative and helps pay down debt. He provided the recent statistic that 85% of FSA loans didn’t have default. His goal is to ensure folks have the best opportunity and put an offer on the table to help them.

– Mr. Ducheneaux explained that his leadership philosophy resembles elements of horsemanship – awareness, empathy, and presentation. Additionally, he always tries to continue learning and he never takes no for an answer. Mr. Ducheneaux adamantly believes that the status quo is fully responsible for what we have now. However, he reminded the group that we can’t persecute those that hold on to the status quo. It is important to show challenges with the status quo and offer solutions.

Robert Bonnie – Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation

– Mr. Bonnie was raised on a farm, where he was inclined to think about conservation practices. With the focus on conservation, he is also concentrated on making sure land is economically viable so it can stay in agriculture.

– He offered some leadership advice to the group – he’s learned that you get nothing done alone and that building teams, support, and stakeholders is important.

Sanah Baig – Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics

– Ms. Baig echoed Mr. Bonnie comments by mentioning that new opportunities need to be built so that most can profit in Agriculture. Work through state research and extension groups is an important part of this. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) work to together to advance research in agriculture related sciences. In addition, the USDA is partnering around the world on Ag innovation.

– Other core focuses of the USDA are increasing the protein supply chain (all types) and food waste issues.

– Ms. Baig also offered some leadership advice to the group –

• Figure out your superpower and find ways to bring people around you that balance out your strengths.

• What is your north star? What is your mission?

• Sharpen your written communication skills.

• Listen to understand and learn, not to respond.

• Invest in building relationships.

• How you treat people matters more than anything.

Luke Amend
Whitewater

National Service Day Three
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Submitted by: Luke Amend

Our KARL class started our third day in Washington DC at the Government Accountability Office. There we were joined by other IAPAL programs from the states of Kentucky, New Mexico, Virginia, and Washington. Tiffany (Washington program) introduced the first speaker Robyn Colosimo, Director of Policy and Legislation to the Assistant Secretary US Army for Civil Works. Robyn explained what is the Army for Civil Works and how they collaborate with the Army Corps of Engineers. The office consists of 2 presidential appointees who oversee approximately 40,000 employees who build and maintain public infrastructure.

Robyn then introduced her superior Michael Conner, Assistant Secretary US Army for Civil Works. Mr. Conner told us the story that led him to his current position. He has a law degree from the University of Colorado Law School, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from New Mexico State University. Following work in private industry for several years, he held several governmental positions including the Deputy Secretary of the Interior, where he was the Chief Operating Officer during the Obama administration. In 2020, while aiding President Biden’s administration, he was asked to enter into his current role as Assistant Secretary US Army for Civil Works. Mr. Conner explained that his role is to “coordinate and advance The President’s vision and the Corps mission”. The five areas that were discussed were:

1. Upgrading waterways and ports that aid in the transportation goods

2. Building climate resilient infrastructure

3. Modernizing programs and operations within the US Army for Civil Works civil works office

4. Utilizing science and technology in their research and development

5. Strengthening partnerships through improved communication

Mr. Jaime A. Pinkham, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works spoke next. Mr. Pinkham received forestry degrees from Oregon State University and Peninsula Community college in Port Angeles, Washington. Since we were joined by the Washington IAPAL program, Mr. Pinkham presented a donation to Peninsula College (his alma mater). Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Pinkham served on tribal commissions and multiple foundations. He is parts of the Nez Perce Tribe. He proudly relayed stories of his efforts in advocating for tribal sovereignty, self- determination, and treaty rights. He discussed how his background strengthened his “leadership journey”. He told us “we all bring our own history and perspective” and encouraged us to “see yourself and other things differently”. The main tasks that he is currently working on are:

1. Improving navigating channels

2. Rehabilitation of the Rio Grande waterway

3. Critical mineral permitting

4. National security issues

Our time at the Government Accountability Office was closed by Robyn Colosimo. She discussed her history and how she almost entered the construction industry as a project manager, but changed her mind and went back to school. She discussed several other examples of how “none of my career was by design”. She encouraged us “don’t be too strict, be flexible”.

Next, we were off to United States Capital Building. At the US Capital Visitor’s Center our KARL class was divided into two groups. Anna (from Shawnee Kansas) and Nick (from California) were our tour guides. Both Anna and Nick were college students that were completing an internship at the Capital. During our tour we discovered:

1. Construction of the U.S. Capitol began in 1793. The original building was finished in 1826.

2. The largest addition to the Capitol is the Capitol Visitor Center. It was completed in 2008.

3. The bronze Statue of Freedom (located on the top of Capital Building) is 19½ feet tall and weighs 15,000 pounds. The 13 stars on the statue represent the original 13 colonies.

4. A tomb (The Capital Crypt) was built for the remains of George Washington. It is a circular room below the Rotunda. President Washington specified that he wished to be buried at his home at Mount Vernon, and his wish was honored.

5. There are 100 statues in the building (2 for each state). There are 11 statues of women in the building. Amelia Earhart and President Eisenhower are the two that honor the State of Kansas. Hellen Keller’s statue is the only statue that is allowed to be touched (so the visually impaired can experience it).

6. The Supreme Court met in the building in 1860. Law apprentices would sit behind a half-wall that separated the room. This half-wall was also called “the bar”. Once they had become lawyers, they were allowed on the other side of the bar. This was the origination of the term “passing the bar”.

7. The Rotunda is the large, domed, circular room located in the center of The Capitol building. There are eight framed paintings on the walls (four of the revolutionary period and four of early exploration). The highest portion of the dome is made from cast iron. Cast iron was used so that this portion of the roof would be fire proof. The fresco painting located just below the windows was painted to give the illusion of a sculpted relief although it is in reality flat.

8. Statuary Hall was previously the House of Representatives. It includes President Lincoln’s desk and the two Lincoln pillars (where the President was often seen leaning). The shape and acoustics of this room provided an acoustical effect where in some spots a person speaking many yards away could be heard clearly. It’s reported that John Quincy Adams utilized this acoustic effect to communicate.

We ended our Capital tour with a picture between the statues of President Reagan and President Eisenhower.

Next, we navigated the multiple hallways, stairs, and even a small railcar as we traveled to the Senate building for a meeting with US Senator for Kansas, Jerry Moran. The Senator’s chief of staff James Kelly introduced other staff members and explained the roles they fulfill for Senator Moran. Senator Moran spoke about the future of rural Kansas and the importance of:

1. Agriculture (including the 2023 Farm Bill approval)

2. Healthcare

3. Access to technology, especially high speed internet

4. Transportation infrastructure

5. Education

Senator Moran spoke about the current relationship between the democratic and republican parties. He said “we have become two teams. Beat the other team versus making a positive change”. He discussed

the negative effect that social media has had on politics. After answering several questions, he thanked us for being a part of KARL and encouraged us to stay involved in our communities, saying “nothing happens without people stepping up and taking action” and “we don’t need more politicians, we need more citizens”.

Our last meeting of the day was with our respective state representatives. We walked to their offices located in the Rayburn House Office Building. The Representatives were not in session but meeting with their staff members still allowed KARL class members to talk about current issues in their respective regions of Kansas.

· Tracey Mann’s staff members (district KS-01) met with 15 KARL class members

· Jake LaTurner’s staff members (district KS-02) met with 4 KARL class members

· Sharice Davids’s staff members (district KS-03) met with 1 KARL class member

· Ron Estes’s staff members (district KS-04) met with 10 KARL class members

Following this day of meetings, we boarded a motor coach bus and traveled to two hours to the Gettysburg Hotel in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. We were greeted by John Regetin and other faculty of the Gettysburg Leadership Experience.

For more on Class XVI’s Gettysburg Leadership Experience, click here.


KARL Class XVI Associates

Leavenworth/Kansas City Seminar – XVI

Wendy Hughes
Ellinwood

Leavenworth/KC Day One
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Submitted by: Wendy Hughes

CHANGE: adjustment, development, diversity, modify, alter, innovative.

These all describe what our KARL XVI class encountered during our February 15-17 2023 excursion to Kansas City and Leavenworth……and Topeka(change). The venue for our first day moved from the American Royal facility to the Kansas Bankers Association building in Topeka for two reasons.

First, the weather was to be very bad with ice and sleet forecasted. Second, the Chiefs! They won the Super Bowl, their parade went right down the road our hotel was located on, and they had over 500,000 in attendance. The roads were more than congested. Thanks to Jill, Susan and the board, they thought of our safety and had us stop in Topeka for our first days’ events.

The next big change came when Christa Milton had the flu and was to be our chair for the day. Nick Peters, of Goessel, stepped up and took the lead. Thankfully Christa will be all well for our Washington, DC trip.

Coach “K” said in his video “Leadership you have because you want to get better” No EXCUSES. Have flexibility, be positive and always look people in the eye when talking with them.

Dr. Emily Lehning, Co-Founder of Roots and Legacies Consulting, Inc., led us in a discussion on how we can use our strengths from the Clifton Strengths finder to grow stronger, work smarter and lead wiser. We must remember: The bird, the bee and the bat all fly, they just use different wings. The insightfulness this gives us will help us in every part of our lives.

EXPLOITATION of VULNERABILITIES is what Russ Tuttle wants us to remember after a heart wrenching presentation about domestic minor sex trafficking. Mr. Tuttle represents BeAlert, the awareness and prevention strategy of The Stop Trafficking Project.

It is unbelievable the USA is the number one country in the world for pornography on the World Wide Web. Three fourths of the teenagers in America are engaging in some sort of pornography.

With a three-fold increase in online usage of 7-10 year olds since 2021, the predators are rampant. We need to be well aware of all the apps they download and use on their cell phones and internet devices. “Sextortion” is the fastest growing crime today.

After dinner with our guests, Damon New and Jancy Hall, we all made our way to Hotel Indigo in downtown Kansas City. There was a wait due to the road crews removing the fences from the Chiefs parade. We all had a great visit that evening and look forward to our next grand adventures.


Adam York
Manhattan

Leavenworth/KC Day Two
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Submitted by: Adam York

USP Leavenworth– The class started Thursday, Feb 16, 2023 with a tour of United States Federal Penitentiary (USP) Leavenworth guided by Warden Don Hudson, a Tonganoxie native. Congress created USP Leavenworth through a special act in the late 19th century, the reservation for the U.S. Penitentiary was then deeded by the War Department to the Justice Department in 1897 to build the United States Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. The decision was partially made based on the labor available from the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth and military inmates provided for the first phase of construction and were later the first prisoners to be incarcerated in 1903.

The first cell house opened in 1906, and the USP was completed in the 1920s. After hearing the history of USP Leavenworth, the class learned about “famous” inmates such as Georage “Machine Gun Kelly” Barnes, Robert Stroud, and the “Birdman of Alcatraz” from Warden Hudson and his executive staff before departing for a tour of the facility. All together, USP Leavenworth currently holds 1900 inmates that include 331 inmates at adjacent minimum security satellite camp. The facility provides healthcare and meal services defined by on-staff nutritionists within a nationally aligned menu. Interestingly, each staff is effectively a law enforcement officer, from healthcare providers to meal services personnel. USP Leavenworth is “city within a city” and the Warden provided the class with the forward facing vision of the penitentiary as a new facility is planned in the years ahead.

Zephyr– Zephyr Products, LLC, was the next stop in Leavenworth. Zephyr is a metal fabrication company located in Leavenworth with an innovative and progressive job training program. The class heard from Jason Miles, Chief People Officer at Zephyr and how his program recruits up to 80 workers from nearby Lansing Correctional Facility for above-minimum wage, extreme-on-the-job-training (EJT) career opportunities under an 18 month program. Over lunch at the facility, Jason shared his story of youth incarceration, eventual expungement, working his way up through Zephyr to reenter civil society, and left the class with a power testimony about life changing “Odd or God” events that were accomplished through constant positivity, as “negativity robs us of experience.”

Fort Leavenworth and Command and General Staff College Foundation– Due to icy weather, the class was unable to visit Fort Leavenworth in the afternoon and flexibility and adaptation were the words of the day as our tireless KARL staff leaders worked to reconfigure our daily schedule on the fly.

American Royal– With a scheduling adjustment due to inclement weather, the class arrived at the American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri. Nathan Lauden, Director of Education with the American Royal, led us on a tour of the American Royal Association Museum to dive into its proud history and heritage on the same location at the historic Kansas City terminal stockyards with nearby Union Station and banks in the vicinity. Nathan detailed the National Hereford Show at the American Royal, the first sale and show combined which set a strong precent for other breeds to follow. The class also learned the story of the facility’s namesake and how “American Royal” gained its name in 1902 based on the “British Royal Exposition” in the United Kingdom. Following the tour,

the class regrouped upstairs for a presentation outlining the American Royal’s vision entitled “American Royal Today versus American Royal Tomorrow.” As the American Royal transitions to a new purpose-built facility dedicated to hosting food and ag events near the Legends area of Kansas City on the Sunflower State’s side of the border, the City of Kansas City, MO, which owns the current facility, will decide the current building’s fate.

Segueing from the American Royal to an overview of livestock markets generally in the U.S., Chelsea Good, KARL Board Member and Vice President of Policy at Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) gave an in-depth background and history of LMA and its mission to serve the many aspects of the industry as livestock markets comprise cattle dealers, order buyers, and farmers and ranchers. Livestock marketing is heavily regulated under various state and federal agencies, including State Departments of Agriculture, USDA, OSHA, EPA, and others.

Due to in part to compliance obligations and an industry leader in legal marketing, LMA offers extensive member service to its industry that facilitates $30 billion worth of trade annually.

Lastly during our time at the American Royal, the class heard from J.J. Jones, Executive Director of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA). NIAA convenes animal agriculture experts in collaborative settings for continuous improvement. Thought provoking and forward-looking, J.J. walked the class through five numbers to remember in the food and agricultural technology investment space:

● $19.8 billion – venture capital into food and ag tech in 2019;

● $7.6 billion – invented in animal/crop ag in 2019;

● >$51 billion – invested in food and ag tech in 2021

● ~$1.6 trillion – amount of venture capital in entire market;

● ~$26 trillion – capital sitting on the sidelines uninvested.

The class learned how it can be hard to identify innovations that disrupt animal agriculture compared to traditional big tech, for example. However, animal agriculture has a hugely positive story to communicate and its challenge is defining the story as opposed to having it defined by others.

Featured Speaker: Mark McCully, CEO American Angus Association— Concluding the day’s successful events and curriculum, the class attended dinner at Grand Street Cafe back in Kansas City and listened to Mark McCully, CEO with the American Angus Association located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, speak passionately about certified angus beef and the success story that got the angus industry to a market-moving premium standard and through which sold the first pound of certified angus beef in 1978. Mark’s remarks led the class through a thought provoking and existential question for his industry: how did angus breeders build a branded beef program at a time no one had done it?

Mark presented the following key takeaways detailing the efforts success as we began to conclude our second to last seminar of Year One and depart for the Capstone trip to Washington, D.C. in just one short month to follow:

● “Leaders are bold and take action.”

● “Leaders think differently and buck the trend when necessary.”

● “Leaders require patience and the fortitude to stay the course.”

● “Leaders stay true to their convictions and resist lowering standards for short term gain.”

● “Culture trumps strategy.”

Jamie Boggs
Buhler

Leavenworth/KC Day Three
Friday, February 17, 2023
Submitted by: Jamie Boggs

After two eventful days, we ended our time together for this session at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) in Kansas City, KS. Chair of the day, Derick McGhee, welcomed the class and introduced our speakers for the morning.

First up was Justin Marovec, Manager of Dealer Development in the U.S. and Canada for John Deere. Mr. Marovec gave a brief overview of the company and discussed the strategies they use to reach their goals of conducting business that is ‘essential to life’. John Deere, founded in 1837, operates an estimated 1,870 locations in over 30 countries worldwide while employing just over 80,000 people. There are nearly 2,000 dealers in the U.S. and Canada.

A recent company restructure provided them with 3 components that are centered around providing customers with sustainable economic value, referred to as their Smart Industrial Strategy. These strategies allow the company to focus on specific systems that customers are using to maximize productivity verses specific product lines.

1. Tech Stack

a. Autonomy, Connectivity, and Hardware.

2. Production Systems

a. Production & Precision Systems including tractors and equipment needed for corn, soy, small grains, sugar and cotton production.

b. Small Ag & Turf including tractors and self-propelled forage harvesters for dairy and livestock, high value crops, turf and utility.

c. Construction and Forestry machines.

3. Life Cycle

a. Support, parts, service, and performance upgrades.

Tech stack has accelerated precision and automation while helping customers increase their productivity, profitability, and sustainability. John Deere currently has approximately 500,000 connected machines covering 329 million engaged acres.

The company focuses on the overlap of 3 distinct areas when looking at new equipment and technology opportunities: customer needs, economic value, and environmental impact. The most successful projects touch on all three areas! Over the years, their business model has had to adjust given the everchanging technology development costs and the value to each consumer being highly variable. Pricing products at a lower up-front cost, that gets better over time, and allows the consumer to only pay for what they need is crucial to the company.

Like all other industries, John Deere is struggling with attracting, retaining, and training talent. Fewer people are coming to the company with agricultural backgrounds and experience. Because of this, they have specifically chosen new U.S. corporate headquarter locations in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX to assist in attracting different skillsets.

John Deere focuses on helping farmers put food on tables and construction crews build roads that connect communities. John Deere prides themselves on having a REAL purpose, REAL tech, and REAL impact for their investors, employees, and customers.

Michael Lichte, Senior VP of Sales & Marketing for DFA was the next presenter. DFA is a global dairy foods cooperative owned by over 6,000 farmer-owners from across the country. Formed in 1998, DFA is divided into 7 geographic areas and is overseen by a 48-member board of directors. The cooperative structure allows DFA to share profits through annual patronage dividends (at the discretion of the board) based on the use, in volume, in the co-op. With 2021 U.S. annual sales topping $19.3 billion, DFA is the largest supplier of raw milk in the world.

Other interesting facts include:

  • Exports to 60 countries around the world
  • Shipping more than 30 different forms of dairy products to more than 200 global customer-partners
  • Exporting over 7,000 ocean containers out of 14 domestic ports

DFA cooperative members also share an equal voice through a grassroots governance structure, guaranteed markets for milk, competitive prices, programs and services, and returns on investments in the cooperative.

Following Michael’s presentation, we went on a tour of the building. Emma Reynolds, Manager of Dairy Policy & Industry Relations, joined the group to lead the tour. Built in 2017, the DFA headquarters offers an open workspace for approximately 400 on-site staff members.

DFA employees feel connected and passionate about working for a cooperative and the farmers they serve on a daily basis. Employees also have access to a full-service kitchen and cafeteria, fitness facilities with scheduled classes, basketball court, walking trail, fire pit, collaborative work areas, and a Milk Bar. These perks help provide a ‘home away from home’ experience and assist in attracting and retaining talent in a competitive environment.

It’s also worth noting that the DFA facilities are ‘udderly’ impressive and visually showcase their story throughout the building. We were met with a 29-foot-tall milk sculpture in the lobby that resembled milk being poured from the ceiling to the floor. The entire office space was designed around milk and dairies, thus the crisp, clean colors and textures and technology throughout the building.

Every aspect of this space was tastefully selected to give visitors a farm-to-table experience including a grass wall, reclaimed wood from local barns, milk bottles, and walls lined with items such as ear tags, ice cream scoops, and cheese graters.

And let’s not forget the Milk Bar open to visitors and employees. This is DFA’s version of the office water cooler and was a big hit with the class!

While enjoying a delicious buffet of dairy themed appetizers and lunch, each class member shared takeaways and highlights from the week. Many in the class were impressed by the strength’s finder exercise and the impactful discussion with Russ Tuttle. We wrapped up the week discussing plans for the upcoming Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg trip next month

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