How Farmers Leverage their Trusted Advisors to Prepare for Future Success
Breakout Session
August 11, 2020
 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Come hear directly from a panel of farmers about the business relationships they have with agribusinesses.  How did they develop those trusted relationships?  What keeps them up at night?  What excites them about the future of ag? 

1 CCA CEU - Professional Development

Sponsored By:

Moderator:  Eric Pfeiffer, Hoosier Ag Today

 

Eric Pfeiffer is the Vice President of News for Hoosier Ag Today, Indiana’s leading farm radio network. A native Hoosier, Pfeiffer has extensive experience in radio and communications technology. He manages the news gathering operation for both radio and digital distribution for Hoosier Ag Today and can be heard daily on nearly 70 radio stations across the state. He joined HAT in 2018 and is based in West Lafayette, just minutes from agricultural news hub Purdue University. He lives there with his wife, Aubrey, and three kids. He previously served on the board of directors for the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. 

 

 

Speaker: Josh Miller

Josh Miller farms full-time with Richard Smith Farms, Inc., in Madison County in addition to operating a seed dealership. Miller is the fifth generation to work his farm near Anderson, Ind. He lives there with his wife, Jennifer, who is a veterinarian for Elanco Animal Health, and their three children. The farm produces corn and soybeans. 

President of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Miller was elected this summer Secretary-Treasurer of the U.S. Grains Council. The Council is a membership-driven organization of corn, sorghum, barley producers and agribusinesses that support free and fair global trade. The Council is based in Washington, D.C., but it has a full-time presence in 13 global markets. The Council operates programs in more than 50 countries. Miller will serve until July 2021. “Expanding our export markets is very important,” said Miller, who added that expanding markets for U.S. crops was his inspiration for seeking a position with the Council. “For every $1 spent in gaining an export market for U.S. corn, there is a $28 return. But we’re not going to get it by sitting idly by. We’ve got to go out and sell it, and I want to help us do that.” Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. Miller served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and he’s worked overseas as a finance officer for Lockheed Martin. He believes that experience helped him get elected to the board. “We live in a global economy, and trade works for our economy,” Miller added.   

Speaker:  Chris Lehe

Chris Lehe is owner of CK Operations, LLC and co-owner of G&L Seeds, LLC and Freeman Cruises, LLC.  Chris farmers 5,000 acres with his father, Representative Don Lehe, his uncle and cousin.  He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematical Economics from Ball State University.

Chris is married to Kimberley Lehe and has the joy of raising three children with her. 

 

Speaker:  Paul Hodgen

Paul Hodgen farms 3,000 acres of corn and another 2,300 acres of soybeans in rural Putnam County near Roachdale, Ind. in a partnership with Abe and Shirley Hodgen. The farm stretches from Putnam County and into Montgomery, Tippecanoe and Hendricks counties. Hodgen started farming in 2012 after working for Monsanto from 2008-2012.  A believer in education, Hodgen earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s degree in soil science from Oklahoma State University. He earned a doctorate’s degree in agronomy and soil fertility from the University of Nebraska. Elected to the ICMC board of directors in 2016, Hodgen plans to engage his broad education.  Through his career, Hodgen has participated in many farm groups including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, Indiana Farm Bureau, the American Society of Agronomy, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, and the Soil Science Society of America.  Paul currently serves on the board and is also a member of the Executive committee.  Paul additionally serves as a Indiana delegate on U.S. Grains Council.

Speaker:  Don Lamb