Latest News From Leadership

Clinton Griffiths
Spring Madness: In Farming and Basketball, Team Players Accomplish the Most

Drag the planters out of the shed, fire up the seed tenders, update the field maps and start your engines. This season, as you enjoy your packed lunch at 10 a.m., ponder the lessons learned from the hardwoods.

Leaders in Ag: Career and Business Advice from Jackie Applegate
Leaders in Ag: Career and Business Advice from Jackie Applegate

After a 30-year career, her advice to someone just getting started is to be an effective communicator, which includes developing listening skills, and invite people to the table to take in different perspectives.

The Pros And Cons Of Being An Early Adopter
The Pros And Cons Of Being An Early Adopter

Sarah Beth Aubrey explores the advantages and disadvantages of early adoption in the ag industry.

How To Outline Clear Direction For Each Role On Your Team
How To Outline Clear Direction For Each Role On Your Team

“The single most important tool to predict peak performance is a very well-developed job description,” Dave Mitchell says.

Know Your Business Pressures, Trends And Actions For Big Breakthroughs
Know Your Business Pressures, Trends And Actions For Big Breakthroughs

Mark Faust outlines a simple formula to improve profitability and create more value for you and the customer.

NAICC Recognizes Their Outstanding Leaders
NAICC Recognizes Their Outstanding Leaders

Find out who's been awarded Crop Consultant of the Year, QA of the Year and Researcher of the Year.

4 Ways to Boost Your Business With ARA
4 Ways to Boost Your Business With ARA

ARA shares opportunities for ag retailers to save on credit card processing, foster their knowledge network and improve employee retention with professional development programs and resources.

7 Parallels Between Life and a Healthy Business
7 Parallels Between Life and a Healthy Business

Personal health can mirror business health. Here are seven characteristics to measure and monitor.

Hold The Torch High And Set Your Business Trajectory
Hold The Torch High And Set Your Business Trajectory

A well-planned framework can give a solid foundation to even wild swings in reality.

A Partner In Shared Success: Retailer Of The Year MKC
A Partner In Shared Success: Retailer Of The Year MKC

With an enterprise mindset, MKC walks with its farmer-customers.

Register Now For This Year's ARA Management Academy
Register Now For This Year's ARA Management Academy

The ARA Management Academy is January 23 - 25, 2024, at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

3 Leadership Trends You Need to Adopt in 2024
3 Leadership Trends You Need to Adopt in 2024

For long-term success, farm leaders should regularly assess the landscape of their operation and adjust their strategies accordingly.

The Scoop's 40 Under 40 for 2023
The Scoop's 40 Under 40 for 2023

Meet the 40 individuals under the age of 40 who have been recognized as leaders in the ag retail industry.

4 Tips to Grow as a Leader
4 Tips to Grow as a Leader

Sarah Beth Aubrey shares tips for effective communication and building influence before stepping into a leadership role.

Make The Most of Your Annual Planning Events
Make The Most of Your Annual Planning Events

Mark Faust advises to leave your work environment and find a fresh view on how to enable your own turnaround mindset.

6 Tips to Step Into Leadership
6 Tips to Step Into Leadership

Fear of leadership is natural. That's why Sarah Beth Aubrey is sharing the best practices to get out of your own head.

Does a Leadership Role Mean You are Brave?
Does a Leadership Role Mean You are Brave?

Advocating for something you care about has risks. Step into leadership with these tips.

Discipline in What Your Offer
Discipline in What Your Offer

Brad Oelmann, president of Farrell Growth Group, shares how farmer-customers fall into three segments based on what they need from their ag retailers.

Maximizing Growth to Find Hidden Profits and Potential
Maximizing Growth to Find Hidden Profits and Potential

Mark Faust discusses strategies business owners can use to find hidden profits and growth potential.

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Become a More Anticipatory Leader

“There are some things that we've adopted over the years that really aren't particularly useful and I think in some cases even detrimental to our performance,” says Dave Mitchell.

Brandt Co-Founder Celebrates 100th Birthday
Brandt Co-Founder Celebrates 100th Birthday

Evelyn's milestone birthday is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the remarkable role that the agriculture industry and community involvement has played in keeping her mind sharp and her body resilient.

Q&A With Jackie Applegate, Bayer President of North America Crop Science
Q&A With Jackie Applegate, Bayer President of North America Crop Science

Jackie Applegate began her journey in 1992 as the only female chemist at a Bayer manufacturing facility in Kansas City, Mo. Since then, she’s held a variety of global roles.

What Is Your Definition Of Success In Farming?
What Is Your Definition Of Success In Farming?

In farming and in life, success can be defined in endless ways. Five farmers share their perspective.

warren_buffett
Warren Buffett’s 6 Pieces of Advice for Business CEOs

“Our CEO will always be the Chief Risk Officer – a task it is irresponsible to delegate,” says American investor Warren Buffett.

mainstreet
Shay Foulk: The Importance of Community in Rural America

We are more than the hours we work and the services we provide. We are people, friends, family, and community. You are important, you are loved, and you are worthy of conversation, caring, and love.

Behold the Bootstrapper: Sarah Frey’s Journey from 80 Acres to a Seven-State Operation
Behold the Bootstrapper: Sarah Frey’s Journey from 80 Acres to a Seven-State Operation

Sarah Frey started a simple produce delivery route that has evolved into a fresh fruit and vegetable operation that distributes products nationally.

Young Farmers Build Dream Farm, One Piece At A Time
Young Farmers Build Dream Farm, One Piece At A Time

Brendan and Elaine Martin are building their dream farm — one piece at a time. 

American Countryside: Where the Adventures of Mark Twain Began
American Countryside: Where the Adventures of Mark Twain Began

In winter 1819, a natural entrance to a cave was found just south of Hannibal, Mo. One of its visitors in the early 1840s was a young resident who was fascinated by what he saw.

Meet the Farm Kid Who Became the Youngest Green Beret on a Daring U.S. Military Mission
Meet the Farm Kid Who Became the Youngest Green Beret on a Daring U.S. Military Mission

Terry Buckler, a Missouri farm kid, shares the story of his time as a Green Beret and the historic raid on Son Tay prison in Vietnam.

Horizon Award Honors Husband-and-Wife Team for Their Drive and Focus
Horizon Award Honors Husband-and-Wife Team for Their Drive and Focus

Congratulations to Martin Angus, the 2022 recipient of the Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award. Take a virtual trip to their diversified operation nestled in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

Top Producer of the Year Winner: ‘Without Values Our Business is Like a Ship at Sea Without a Rudder’
Top Producer of the Year Winner: ‘Without Values Our Business is Like a Ship at Sea Without a Rudder’

Congratulations to Todd, Louise and the Malecha family for being named the 2022 Top Producer of the Year. Pay a virtual visit to their dairy farm in Villard, Minn., to learn how they stay focused on goals and values.

The Key To Your Super Bowl Of Life & Business
The Key To Your Super Bowl Of Life & Business

Think back to a time when your back was against the wall. To others, it may have looked like all hope was lost. Many would have given up, but you didn’t. You pressed on, and your persistence was paid off with success.

Tackle The Tough Stuff With Emotional Intelligence
Tackle The Tough Stuff With Emotional Intelligence

Lead your team with a high level of emotional intelligence.

The Great Resignation: Be An Employer of Choice
The Great Resignation: Be An Employer of Choice

2021 is known as the “Great Resignation,” says Twyla Stevens, director of human resources at the Carthage System.

New NCGA President, Iowa Farmer Chris Edgington, Assesses Goals and Priorities
New NCGA President, Iowa Farmer Chris Edgington, Assesses Goals and Priorities

Chris Edgington, a row-crop farmer based near St. Ansgar, shares his perspective on what drives most U.S. producers today.

Blue, Gold and Corduroy: Lessons from FFA
Blue, Gold and Corduroy: Lessons from FFA

The lessons of perseverance, hard work, repetition and team-focused collaboration all started and have since been honed into a sharpened point, in part, thanks to my time in FFA.

Nominate Outstanding Farmers for Top Producer Honors
Nominate Outstanding Farmers for Top Producer Honors

During the 2022 Top Producer Summit, Top Producer will recognize remarkable farmers who have taken risks, built thriving businesses and given back to their communities.

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Warren Buffett’s 4 Best Tips for Business Leaders

Warren Buffett has been the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway since 1970. He is routinely asked for his advice by students and others in the business. Here are a few of his tips.

Use Emotional Intelligence to Tackle The Tough Stuff
Use Emotional Intelligence to Tackle The Tough Stuff

“If you can manage these moments, the world is yours,” says Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry.

The 4 Crisis Management Types
The 4 Crisis Management Types

Since we all react to crisis differently; it helps to understand employees’ and family members’ perspectives.

Lisa Safarian is Bayer Crop Science Commercial Operations, North America.
Bayer’s Lisa Safarian Talks Farming Trends, Leadership

Lisa Safarian is Bayer Crop Science Commercial Operations, North America.

Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh
K-State Mourns Loss of Esteemed Agricultural Economics Professor

The charismatic Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh was well known as a leading expert on agricultural policy and agricultural economics. For more than four decades he was a top adviser to politicians of both major political parties.

Be an employer of choice in a transitional labor market
How to Hire, Retain, Invest

Be an employer of choice in a transitional labor market

Yes, folks, you can trust this ol’ Tennessee woodsman’s wisdom. Simple little things like this can make a difference in just 15 minutes a week.
Faust: Turn Around Company Culture In Just 15 Minutes A Week

Yes, folks, you can trust this ol’ Tennessee woodsman’s wisdom. Simple little things like this can make a difference in just 15 minutes a week.

John Kermicle, AgriGold general manager, is responsible for the vision and direction of the brand. Learn what's top of mind for him.
One-On-One With AgriGold’s John Kermicle

John Kermicle, AgriGold general manager, is responsible for the vision and direction of the brand. Learn what's top of mind for him.

Iowa Farmer Blazes Trails in Field and Out
Iowa Farmer Blazes Trails in Field and Out

Iowa farmer blazes trails in the U.S. and across the globe.

In addition to economic barriers, the aging baby boomer generation has increased the rate of retirement, leaving openings in the workforce.
Four Considerations to Improve Employee Retention Today

This year, a tougher ag economy has affected payroll and benefits, decreasing employee retention and acquisition. Despite recent headwinds, these four tools can help improve your business.