Clint Hardy moderates a panel discussion of ag lenders Wayne Mattingly, Brandon Garnett and Doug Lawson to provide banks’ perspectives and share advice with participants about credit strategies in a difficult grain farming economy.
Seventeen farmers and agri-business leaders began their two-year educational journey in December with Session 1: “Coping with a Difficult Grain Economy”, an agenda packed with discussions with elder farmers and CORE alumni sharing the experiences they have learned over their careers, how they have overcome diversity and how they developed their business strategies. This is the fifth class to begin this program in over a decade.
The curriculum will contain six more learning segments; moving forward, most of the content will be focused on agronomy techniques. KyCorn partners with Dr. Chad Lee, agronomy professor at University of Kentucky, to design the series.
The program seeks to empower farmer participants for a more successful career by increasing their institutional knowledge and expanding their network of peers and advisors.
“The value of creating strong friendships with other farmers and developing a trusted peer network cannot be understated, especially as this class embarks upon a career in such a difficult economic environment,” said Adam Andrews, KyCorn Programs Director. “This program is designed to foster relationships amongst participants so that each member of this class finishes it with 16 close friends to pull them through hardships, celebrate successes and just compare notes throughout their careers.”
In addition to the two farmer panels, the participants heard from a panel of ag lenders and FSA staff and committee members to become more aware of the financial tools that are at their disposal as they design their businesses. In future sessions, the group will learn from John McGillicuddy (M/C Agrinomics), Maximo Uranga (a farmer from Argentina), various UK Extension specialists and, most importantly, each other. KyCorn anticipates to be begin accepting applications for Class VI in 2022 or 2023.
Class V Participants
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Sarah Halcomb, Walnut Grove Farms, Logan County
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Clayton Heibert, Agribusiness – Nutriens, Hardin County
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Johnny Henderson, Back Forty Farms, Hardin County
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Houston Howlett, Camp Nevin Farms, Hardin County
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John Johnson, Clover Ridge Farms, Fleming County
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Randy Mann, Seldom Rest Farms, Simpson County
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Dale Medley, D & L Grain Farms, Washington County
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Jared Melloy, L. Hust Farms, Webster County
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Kyle Mobley, Mobley Family Farm, Hardin County
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Branden Pepper, Pepper Farms, Larue County
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Daniel Peterson, Peterson Farms, Marion County
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Andrew Reynolds, Reynolds Farms, Boyle County
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Jonathan Reynolds, Springhill Farms, Fulton County
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Ben Rudy, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Fulton County
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Dalton Steinke, Twin J Farms, Shelby County
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Wade Whipple, Agribusiness – Tennessee Tractor, Calloway County
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Grant Zilak, Zilak Farms, Marion County