Dan Wagner
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Welcome, The Value of the Cooperative & Understanding Farm Financials
Welcome & The Value of the Cooperative Q&A
Dan leads the financial operations, loan accounting, information technology, business process support and strategic project management functions at Farm Credit Mid-America. He began his career with the Farm Credit System at Farm Credit Services of America in Omaha, NE in 1998 as a software developer. Dan left the System for a period of time working for Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and IBM Global Services, and then rejoined Farm Credit Services of America in 2004. He then accepted various technology leadership positions and became the Chief Technology Officer in 2008. He joined Farm Credit Mid-America in June 2012 as Senior Vice President Chief Information Officer. He graduated from Chadron State College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and information management systems and he obtained his MBA with an emphasis in finance from the University of Nebraska.
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Welcome, The Value of the Cooperative & Understanding Farm Financials
Welcome & The Value of the Cooperative Q&A
Dan leads the financial operations, loan accounting, information technology, business process support and strategic project management functions at Farm Credit Mid-America. He began his career with the Farm Credit System at Farm Credit Services of America in Omaha, NE in 1998 as a software developer. Dan left the System for a period of time working for Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and IBM Global Services, and then rejoined Farm Credit Services of America in 2004. He then accepted various technology leadership positions and became the Chief Technology Officer in 2008. He joined Farm Credit Mid-America in June 2012 as Senior Vice President Chief Information Officer. He graduated from Chadron State College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and information management systems and he obtained his MBA with an emphasis in finance from the University of Nebraska.
Robert Alexander
Growing Forward® Specialist
Welcome, The Value of the Cooperative & Understanding Farm Financials
Understanding Farm Financials
Understanding Farm Financials Q&A
Robbie is from Hopkinsville, KY where he grew up working on various farming operations that included; Row crop, cattle and hay. Robbie was a four year FFA member and also served as a state FFA officer. Robert attended Murray State University where he earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Science with an emphasis in Agriculture Education. Robert then went on to teach High School for 3 years and then became the Agriculture Program Coordinator at Hopkinsville Community College for 4 years. Robbie has been with Farm Credit Mid-America since 2015 where he has served as a Financial Officer and Growing Forward Specialist for Kentucky and Tennessee.
In his free time he has a small goat herd with his wife Annie.
Growing Forward® Specialist
Welcome, The Value of the Cooperative & Understanding Farm Financials
Understanding Farm Financials
Understanding Farm Financials Q&A
Robbie is from Hopkinsville, KY where he grew up working on various farming operations that included; Row crop, cattle and hay. Robbie was a four year FFA member and also served as a state FFA officer. Robert attended Murray State University where he earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Science with an emphasis in Agriculture Education. Robert then went on to teach High School for 3 years and then became the Agriculture Program Coordinator at Hopkinsville Community College for 4 years. Robbie has been with Farm Credit Mid-America since 2015 where he has served as a Financial Officer and Growing Forward Specialist for Kentucky and Tennessee.
In his free time he has a small goat herd with his wife Annie.
Micah Mensing
Growing Forward® Specialist
Welcome, The Value of the Cooperative & Understanding Farm Financials
Understanding Farm Financials
Understanding Farm Financials Q&A
As a Growing Forward® Specialist, Micah leads the Ohio Growing Forward® portfolio by providing educational workshops, managing the credit quality and assisting with external relationships that add value to Farm Credit Mid-America and their customer-owners. Prior to joining Farm Credit Mid-America in 2019, Micah graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriscience Education and an Associate of Science in Production Agriculture. Currently, Micah is pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing at Murray State University.
In addition to his professional involvement, Micah is actively engaged in the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals, Agriculture Future of America Alliance and The Ohio University Young Alumni Academy.
Growing Forward® Specialist
Welcome, The Value of the Cooperative & Understanding Farm Financials
Understanding Farm Financials
Understanding Farm Financials Q&A
As a Growing Forward® Specialist, Micah leads the Ohio Growing Forward® portfolio by providing educational workshops, managing the credit quality and assisting with external relationships that add value to Farm Credit Mid-America and their customer-owners. Prior to joining Farm Credit Mid-America in 2019, Micah graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriscience Education and an Associate of Science in Production Agriculture. Currently, Micah is pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing at Murray State University.
In addition to his professional involvement, Micah is actively engaged in the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals, Agriculture Future of America Alliance and The Ohio University Young Alumni Academy.
Rich Morrison
Vice President of Farm Services
Grain & Weather Outlook
Rich was raised on a corn & soybean farm in east-central Illinois, and is a graduate of the University of Illinois. He spent 12 years working in the grain business prior to working directly with producers to manage their farm risks beginning in 2000. Rich’s role with NAU Country is to provide market information & revenue management advice to producers in a variety of ways, including in-person meetings, and tools like the daily Opening Bell call, the NAU Country Market Report daily email, the monthly afterMATH webinar, & the Kicking Up Dust podcast. Rich provides a daily market report on WLDS radio in Jacksonville, Illinois, and is a regular contributor on both the Red River Farm Network and the American Ag Radio Network.
Rich & his wife Judy currently reside near Murrayville, Illinois, have four grown kids, three dogs, and are part owners of the Green Bay Packers.
Vice President of Farm Services
Grain & Weather Outlook
Rich was raised on a corn & soybean farm in east-central Illinois, and is a graduate of the University of Illinois. He spent 12 years working in the grain business prior to working directly with producers to manage their farm risks beginning in 2000. Rich’s role with NAU Country is to provide market information & revenue management advice to producers in a variety of ways, including in-person meetings, and tools like the daily Opening Bell call, the NAU Country Market Report daily email, the monthly afterMATH webinar, & the Kicking Up Dust podcast. Rich provides a daily market report on WLDS radio in Jacksonville, Illinois, and is a regular contributor on both the Red River Farm Network and the American Ag Radio Network.
Rich & his wife Judy currently reside near Murrayville, Illinois, have four grown kids, three dogs, and are part owners of the Green Bay Packers.
Rich Tiller
Principal Atmospheric Scientist
Grain & Weather Outlook
Eric Snodgrass is the Principal Atmospheric Scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions, where he develops predictive, analytical software solutions to manage weather risk for global production agriculture. He provides frequent weather updates that focus on how high-impact weather events influence global agriculture productivity. His current research uses machine learning to better understand field-level weather impacts on yields in the US and to increase confidence in long-range weather prediction. He presents his research as a featured speaker at over 50 conferences annually where he provides logistical guidance and solutions to weather sensitive financial institutions, farmers, commodity traders, and other stakeholders.
Before transitioning to Nutrien Ag Solutions, Eric was the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2006-2018. Each year, he guided over 1800 students through the wild side of weather in ATMS 120: Severe and Hazardous Weather. He taught advanced courses on General Physical Meteorology (ATMS 201), Meteorological Instrumentation (ATMS 315), Economics of Weather (ATMS 491) and supervised numerous Capstone Research projects. Snodgrass also taught ENSU 310: Renewable and Alternative Energy for the Environmental Sustainability Program. He also advised all undergraduate majors and minors in atmospheric science (~100 students) and supervised graduate teaching assistants and master’s students. He won many prestigious teaching awards at the University of Illinois including College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence award, the Campus Teaching Excellence Award, and the Campus Teaching Excellent Award in Online and Distance Education. Also, his online version of ATMS 120 was awarded the 2012 "Best Online Course" from the University Professional Continuing Education Association (a national organization).
Principal Atmospheric Scientist
Grain & Weather Outlook
Eric Snodgrass is the Principal Atmospheric Scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions, where he develops predictive, analytical software solutions to manage weather risk for global production agriculture. He provides frequent weather updates that focus on how high-impact weather events influence global agriculture productivity. His current research uses machine learning to better understand field-level weather impacts on yields in the US and to increase confidence in long-range weather prediction. He presents his research as a featured speaker at over 50 conferences annually where he provides logistical guidance and solutions to weather sensitive financial institutions, farmers, commodity traders, and other stakeholders.
Before transitioning to Nutrien Ag Solutions, Eric was the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2006-2018. Each year, he guided over 1800 students through the wild side of weather in ATMS 120: Severe and Hazardous Weather. He taught advanced courses on General Physical Meteorology (ATMS 201), Meteorological Instrumentation (ATMS 315), Economics of Weather (ATMS 491) and supervised numerous Capstone Research projects. Snodgrass also taught ENSU 310: Renewable and Alternative Energy for the Environmental Sustainability Program. He also advised all undergraduate majors and minors in atmospheric science (~100 students) and supervised graduate teaching assistants and master’s students. He won many prestigious teaching awards at the University of Illinois including College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence award, the Campus Teaching Excellence Award, and the Campus Teaching Excellent Award in Online and Distance Education. Also, his online version of ATMS 120 was awarded the 2012 "Best Online Course" from the University Professional Continuing Education Association (a national organization).
Vince Bailey
Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
Succession Planning
As Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Vince leads the credit and appraisal functions for Farm Credit Mid-America. He has more than 30 years of financial services experience within the Farm Credit System, having served in various capacities within the Association. Vince began his Farm Credit career as a special accounts loan officer in Indiana before becoming a credit officer in Louisville, Ky., and then serving as Assistant Vice President in Lafayette, Ind. Additionally, Vince served as Vice President, VPC and RVP Agribusiness in Lafayette, and Louisville. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President Credit – Ag Underwriting, where he led Retail Credit and Agribusiness Underwriting teams to ensure portfolio growth through sound credit administration and collaboration with sales leaders and staff. Vince holds a degree in agriculture economics from Purdue University.
Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
Succession Planning
As Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Vince leads the credit and appraisal functions for Farm Credit Mid-America. He has more than 30 years of financial services experience within the Farm Credit System, having served in various capacities within the Association. Vince began his Farm Credit career as a special accounts loan officer in Indiana before becoming a credit officer in Louisville, Ky., and then serving as Assistant Vice President in Lafayette, Ind. Additionally, Vince served as Vice President, VPC and RVP Agribusiness in Lafayette, and Louisville. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President Credit – Ag Underwriting, where he led Retail Credit and Agribusiness Underwriting teams to ensure portfolio growth through sound credit administration and collaboration with sales leaders and staff. Vince holds a degree in agriculture economics from Purdue University.
Ryan Patton
Consultant, Advanced Consulting Group
Succession Planning
Ryan has been with Nationwide since 2013 and joins the Advanced Consulting Group after having served as a financial planner with Nationwide’s Land As Your Legacy® program. With the Land As Your Legacy team, Ryan worked with advisors and their clients to coordinate and help farmers and ranchers plan for the successful transition of their business to the next generation.
As a member of the Advanced Consulting Group, Ryan concentrates on business succession, business taxation, estate planning and agricultural planning.
Prior to joining Nationwide, Ryan worked for an independent wealth management company that specialized in wealth transfer strategies and financial management.
Ryan earned his Bachelor of Economics from The Ohio State University, his MBA, with a specialization in finance, from Ashland University, and his Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School.
Ryan is an avid motorcycle racing fan and outdoorsman. He lives in Lexington, Ohio with his wife Nicole, daughter, Emma and son Ethan.
Consultant, Advanced Consulting Group
Succession Planning
Ryan has been with Nationwide since 2013 and joins the Advanced Consulting Group after having served as a financial planner with Nationwide’s Land As Your Legacy® program. With the Land As Your Legacy team, Ryan worked with advisors and their clients to coordinate and help farmers and ranchers plan for the successful transition of their business to the next generation.
As a member of the Advanced Consulting Group, Ryan concentrates on business succession, business taxation, estate planning and agricultural planning.
Prior to joining Nationwide, Ryan worked for an independent wealth management company that specialized in wealth transfer strategies and financial management.
Ryan earned his Bachelor of Economics from The Ohio State University, his MBA, with a specialization in finance, from Ashland University, and his Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School.
Ryan is an avid motorcycle racing fan and outdoorsman. He lives in Lexington, Ohio with his wife Nicole, daughter, Emma and son Ethan.
Jess Campbell
Vice President, Food and Agribusiness Swine
Creating Your Own Market
Jess Campbell is an experienced lender with Farm Credit Mid-America where she is currently the Vice President of Food and Agribusiness Swine Specialist. Driven by serving commercial hog farmers Jess provides specialized solutions to help agricultural entrepreneurs gain access to capital they need to achieve their goals. Jess is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Animal Sciences. She also is the owners of Carroll Creek Farms with her husband, Adam and her two young sons Rhett and Lane which is a direct to consumer diversified livestock farm.
Vice President, Food and Agribusiness Swine
Creating Your Own Market
Jess Campbell is an experienced lender with Farm Credit Mid-America where she is currently the Vice President of Food and Agribusiness Swine Specialist. Driven by serving commercial hog farmers Jess provides specialized solutions to help agricultural entrepreneurs gain access to capital they need to achieve their goals. Jess is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Animal Sciences. She also is the owners of Carroll Creek Farms with her husband, Adam and her two young sons Rhett and Lane which is a direct to consumer diversified livestock farm.
Dakota Everts
Vice President, Growing Forward® & Lending Partnerships
Your Farm, Your Financials
Your Farm, Your Financials Q&A
Dakota Everts has been with Farm Credit Mid-America for over six years. In her current role as Vice President Growing Forward and Lending Partnerships she leads a team of Growing Forward Specialists who work to provide lending solutions and education to young and beginning farmers. Dakota also works with Farm Credit’s AgDirect and Farm Credit Leasing partners, which gives customer another solution to meet their lending needs. Prior to leading the Growing Forward team, Dakota was a Growing Forward Specialist for the state of Indiana.
Dakota earned her Bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics with a concentration in Ag Finance from Purdue University. She lives in rural Indiana with her husband and two boys. They raise a small flock of commercial ewes.
Vice President, Growing Forward® & Lending Partnerships
Your Farm, Your Financials
Your Farm, Your Financials Q&A
Dakota Everts has been with Farm Credit Mid-America for over six years. In her current role as Vice President Growing Forward and Lending Partnerships she leads a team of Growing Forward Specialists who work to provide lending solutions and education to young and beginning farmers. Dakota also works with Farm Credit’s AgDirect and Farm Credit Leasing partners, which gives customer another solution to meet their lending needs. Prior to leading the Growing Forward team, Dakota was a Growing Forward Specialist for the state of Indiana.
Dakota earned her Bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics with a concentration in Ag Finance from Purdue University. She lives in rural Indiana with her husband and two boys. They raise a small flock of commercial ewes.
Gary Book
AVP Retail Credit Underwriting
Your Farm, Your Financials
Your Farm, Your Financials Q&A
Farm Financials Deep Dive
Farm Financials Deep Dive Q&A
Gary Book has worked for Farm Credit Mid America since 2011. He has spent his time at Farm Credit as a Crop Insurance Technician, a Credit Analyst, and most recently as an Assistant Vice President of Retail Credit Underwriting. Gary has been a part of the Growing Forward Program (Young and Beginning farmer program) since its inception in 2014, first as a Credit Analyst and later on as its Credit Lead. Gary is also involved in leading and implementing various strategic initiatives for Farm Credit.
Gary grew up on a row crop and farrow to finish hog operation in Palmyra, Indiana. He attended Indiana University Southeast, majoring in History, and following graduation, he began working at Farm Credit Mid America. He currently has a small row crop operation of his own, and is still active in the family farming operation, which is ran by his brother.
AVP Retail Credit Underwriting
Your Farm, Your Financials
Your Farm, Your Financials Q&A
Farm Financials Deep Dive
Farm Financials Deep Dive Q&A
Gary Book has worked for Farm Credit Mid America since 2011. He has spent his time at Farm Credit as a Crop Insurance Technician, a Credit Analyst, and most recently as an Assistant Vice President of Retail Credit Underwriting. Gary has been a part of the Growing Forward Program (Young and Beginning farmer program) since its inception in 2014, first as a Credit Analyst and later on as its Credit Lead. Gary is also involved in leading and implementing various strategic initiatives for Farm Credit.
Gary grew up on a row crop and farrow to finish hog operation in Palmyra, Indiana. He attended Indiana University Southeast, majoring in History, and following graduation, he began working at Farm Credit Mid America. He currently has a small row crop operation of his own, and is still active in the family farming operation, which is ran by his brother.
Lance Zimmerman
Manager – Research, Analysis and Data, CattleFax
Livestock Market Outlook
Lance joined CattleFax as an analyst in January 2011. He was promoted to research data and analysis manager in July 2016. Lance’s primary responsibilities are managing the CattleFax member database, as well as coordinating the organization’s fundamental research and analysis for the cattle and competing protein markets.
He was raised on a commercial cow-calf, backgrounding and diversified crop farm in northwest Kansas and has five years of experience as a marketing manager for Certified Angus Beef LLC. Lance received a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in May 2005, majoring in agricultural communications and journalism and receiving minors in agricultural economics, animal sciences and industry, and contemporary issues in agriculture.
Lance returned to K-State in August 2009 to earn a master’s degree in agricultural economics. He studied agricultural marketing, production economics and economic-analysis tools, and his thesis research “Factors Influencing the Price of Value-Added Calves at Superior Livestock Auction” was published in 2010.
He and his wife, Andria, live in Saint George, Kan., and they have a son, Lawson, and daughter, Macie. Lance enjoys helping on the family farming operation, coaching, hunting, and working on vehicle and home improvements projects.
Manager – Research, Analysis and Data, CattleFax
Livestock Market Outlook
Lance joined CattleFax as an analyst in January 2011. He was promoted to research data and analysis manager in July 2016. Lance’s primary responsibilities are managing the CattleFax member database, as well as coordinating the organization’s fundamental research and analysis for the cattle and competing protein markets.
He was raised on a commercial cow-calf, backgrounding and diversified crop farm in northwest Kansas and has five years of experience as a marketing manager for Certified Angus Beef LLC. Lance received a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in May 2005, majoring in agricultural communications and journalism and receiving minors in agricultural economics, animal sciences and industry, and contemporary issues in agriculture.
Lance returned to K-State in August 2009 to earn a master’s degree in agricultural economics. He studied agricultural marketing, production economics and economic-analysis tools, and his thesis research “Factors Influencing the Price of Value-Added Calves at Superior Livestock Auction” was published in 2010.
He and his wife, Andria, live in Saint George, Kan., and they have a son, Lawson, and daughter, Macie. Lance enjoys helping on the family farming operation, coaching, hunting, and working on vehicle and home improvements projects.
Joe Dagher
Government and Legislative Affairs Officer
A Policy Outlook
Joe Dagher is the Government and Legislative Affairs Officer at Farm Credit Mid-America. In this role, Joe works with industry and government stakeholders on agriculture and agriculture lending policies that are critical to Farm Credit Mid-America and the broader Farm Credit System.
Prior to joining Farm Credit Mid-America, Joe spent more than a decade in federal public policy and advocacy roles in Washington, DC. His experience includes leading the Washington engagement efforts for a Fortune 250 company, advising corporate and industry clients at a leading lobbying and public affairs firm, and working as an aide on Capitol Hill for two U.S. Senators.
Government and Legislative Affairs Officer
A Policy Outlook
Joe Dagher is the Government and Legislative Affairs Officer at Farm Credit Mid-America. In this role, Joe works with industry and government stakeholders on agriculture and agriculture lending policies that are critical to Farm Credit Mid-America and the broader Farm Credit System.
Prior to joining Farm Credit Mid-America, Joe spent more than a decade in federal public policy and advocacy roles in Washington, DC. His experience includes leading the Washington engagement efforts for a Fortune 250 company, advising corporate and industry clients at a leading lobbying and public affairs firm, and working as an aide on Capitol Hill for two U.S. Senators.
Ethan McNeely
Credit Analyst, Retail Credit Underwriting (RCU)
Farm Financials Deep Dive
Farm Financials Deep Dive Q&A
Ethan McNeely has been a credit analyst in Retail Credit Underwriting, RCU, since July of 2018. Ethan is on a team in the RCU that focuses on young and beginning farmers in the Growing Forward program. Prior to Farm Credit Mid-America, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics with a minor in Crop Sciences from Purdue University. Ethan resides in Scottsburg, Indiana where he coaches boys’ and girls’ volleyball and helps his family on their small grain and cattle farm.
Credit Analyst, Retail Credit Underwriting (RCU)
Farm Financials Deep Dive
Farm Financials Deep Dive Q&A
Ethan McNeely has been a credit analyst in Retail Credit Underwriting, RCU, since July of 2018. Ethan is on a team in the RCU that focuses on young and beginning farmers in the Growing Forward program. Prior to Farm Credit Mid-America, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics with a minor in Crop Sciences from Purdue University. Ethan resides in Scottsburg, Indiana where he coaches boys’ and girls’ volleyball and helps his family on their small grain and cattle farm.
Dr. Alex White
Personal Finance
Personal Finance Q&A
Alex grew up on a small beef farm in northeastern Maryland. He was very active in 4-H throughout his youth. His primary projects were beef, field crops, tractor operation, woodworking, and marksmanship. He was always interested in the business side of agriculture as well as the production aspects.
He received his BS in Agricultural Economics from Virginia Tech. His main focus was on farm management and agricultural financial management. He received his MS in Ag Econ from Ohio State with a concentration in farm management. His Ph.D. is from Virginia Tech where his research centered on retirement planning strategies for agricultural producers and small business owners.
Alex has taught a wide variety of college courses at Ohio State, NC State, Ferrum College, and Virginia Tech for the past 25 years. Always an academic generalist, he was worked in several academic departments over his career. A majority of his career has been in the field of Agricultural Economics, but he taught personal financial management in the Department of Apparel, Housing & Resource Management for 5 years. Alex taught part-time in the Dairy Science department for 4 years before joining the faculty full-time in August 2016.
The courses he has taught are mainly related to the business and financial side of agriculture. He jokes that, “if it involves a dollar sign, he teaches it.” In the Dairy Science department he teaches Dairy Enterprise Management, Entrepreneurship in Animal Agriculture, and Advanced Dairy Management Evaluation (co-taught with Dr. Gonzalo Ferreira). He also teaches Personal Financial Planning for the university.
Other courses he has taught include Ag Financial Management, Farm Management, Small Business Management, and several courses in Personal Financial Management. He also works with several courses in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He has served as an extension agent and an extension specialist (personal/farm financial management) for Virginia Cooperative Extension. Alex was an assistant coach for the 2004 and 2007 national championship teams in the American Express Financial Planning Invitational.
Aside from teaching, Alex continues to work with regional and national agricultural lenders and agricultural organizations such as the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA), the Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Short Course (MAHSC), the Farm Financial Standards Task Force, as well as the FFA and Farm Bureau Young Farmers in the mid-Atlantic region. He has helped to train Farm Credit personnel through his work with Farm Credit University since its inception.
Outside of work, Alex spends his time restoring a 1943 Farmall H tractor, target shooting, renovating on his old house, and woodworking. Alex and his brothers operate a small BBQ business in northern MD – partially to make money, but mostly to eat BBQ with friends!
Personal Finance
Personal Finance Q&A
Alex grew up on a small beef farm in northeastern Maryland. He was very active in 4-H throughout his youth. His primary projects were beef, field crops, tractor operation, woodworking, and marksmanship. He was always interested in the business side of agriculture as well as the production aspects.
He received his BS in Agricultural Economics from Virginia Tech. His main focus was on farm management and agricultural financial management. He received his MS in Ag Econ from Ohio State with a concentration in farm management. His Ph.D. is from Virginia Tech where his research centered on retirement planning strategies for agricultural producers and small business owners.
Alex has taught a wide variety of college courses at Ohio State, NC State, Ferrum College, and Virginia Tech for the past 25 years. Always an academic generalist, he was worked in several academic departments over his career. A majority of his career has been in the field of Agricultural Economics, but he taught personal financial management in the Department of Apparel, Housing & Resource Management for 5 years. Alex taught part-time in the Dairy Science department for 4 years before joining the faculty full-time in August 2016.
The courses he has taught are mainly related to the business and financial side of agriculture. He jokes that, “if it involves a dollar sign, he teaches it.” In the Dairy Science department he teaches Dairy Enterprise Management, Entrepreneurship in Animal Agriculture, and Advanced Dairy Management Evaluation (co-taught with Dr. Gonzalo Ferreira). He also teaches Personal Financial Planning for the university.
Other courses he has taught include Ag Financial Management, Farm Management, Small Business Management, and several courses in Personal Financial Management. He also works with several courses in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He has served as an extension agent and an extension specialist (personal/farm financial management) for Virginia Cooperative Extension. Alex was an assistant coach for the 2004 and 2007 national championship teams in the American Express Financial Planning Invitational.
Aside from teaching, Alex continues to work with regional and national agricultural lenders and agricultural organizations such as the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA), the Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Short Course (MAHSC), the Farm Financial Standards Task Force, as well as the FFA and Farm Bureau Young Farmers in the mid-Atlantic region. He has helped to train Farm Credit personnel through his work with Farm Credit University since its inception.
Outside of work, Alex spends his time restoring a 1943 Farmall H tractor, target shooting, renovating on his old house, and woodworking. Alex and his brothers operate a small BBQ business in northern MD – partially to make money, but mostly to eat BBQ with friends!
Chad Cooper
Crop Insurance Specialist
Creating Your Risk Management Strategy
Chad Cooper is a Crop Insurance Specialist with Farm Credit Mid-America whose agriculture roots run deep. He’s the 5th generation of his family to farm and raise livestock in Northeast Owen County, Indiana. He understands the risks involved with farming and the need to stay current, knowledgeable and proactive moving toward the future. By truly looking at things from this perspective, Chad has helped FCMA customers strengthen their crop insurance strategies by customizing plans, increasing guarantees and ultimately giving them more peace of mind.
Chad is passionate about the success of everyone he works with. One of the driving forces in Chad’s life is to help make the lives of those around him better. He does this by focusing on the big picture and practicing servant leadership. Chad’s leadership work in his Church and on the local school board are examples of these guiding principles. Along with this, his teammates at Farm Credit Mid-America say Chad is always willing to lend a hand with advice, mentorship, and suggestions. Customers testify of his deep understanding of crop risk strategies and his ability to help them tailor custom plans to ensure their success. But, if you ask his children what Chad does each day, they will say “my daddy makes sure farmers don’t go broke if the weather gets bad!”
Crop Insurance Specialist
Creating Your Risk Management Strategy
Chad Cooper is a Crop Insurance Specialist with Farm Credit Mid-America whose agriculture roots run deep. He’s the 5th generation of his family to farm and raise livestock in Northeast Owen County, Indiana. He understands the risks involved with farming and the need to stay current, knowledgeable and proactive moving toward the future. By truly looking at things from this perspective, Chad has helped FCMA customers strengthen their crop insurance strategies by customizing plans, increasing guarantees and ultimately giving them more peace of mind.
Chad is passionate about the success of everyone he works with. One of the driving forces in Chad’s life is to help make the lives of those around him better. He does this by focusing on the big picture and practicing servant leadership. Chad’s leadership work in his Church and on the local school board are examples of these guiding principles. Along with this, his teammates at Farm Credit Mid-America say Chad is always willing to lend a hand with advice, mentorship, and suggestions. Customers testify of his deep understanding of crop risk strategies and his ability to help them tailor custom plans to ensure their success. But, if you ask his children what Chad does each day, they will say “my daddy makes sure farmers don’t go broke if the weather gets bad!”
Joseph Townson
Crop Insurance Specialist
Creating Your Risk Management Strategy
Since joining Farm Credit Mid-America in 2014 as a crop insurance specialist, Joseph has had the opportunity of working with producers as a trusted advisor providing them the knowledge needed to mitigate risk and maintain a positive position in today’s markets. With an emphasis on analyzing federal and private crop insurance products, he and his team work one-on-one with producers leveraging opportunities to create the optimum solution that meets the goals of each operation. With a background in production agriculture and a deep understanding of agricultural risk management, he is passionate about the success of his partners.
Crop Insurance Specialist
Creating Your Risk Management Strategy
Since joining Farm Credit Mid-America in 2014 as a crop insurance specialist, Joseph has had the opportunity of working with producers as a trusted advisor providing them the knowledge needed to mitigate risk and maintain a positive position in today’s markets. With an emphasis on analyzing federal and private crop insurance products, he and his team work one-on-one with producers leveraging opportunities to create the optimum solution that meets the goals of each operation. With a background in production agriculture and a deep understanding of agricultural risk management, he is passionate about the success of his partners.
