Matt Darrington

Attorney | Darrington Marchant Law

Idaho Wheat Commission Speaker

Biography

Matt Darrington is a seasoned attorney and partner at Darrington Marchant Law, where he leads a dynamic civil law practice. With more than 15 years of experience practicing law in Idaho, Matt’s practice focuses on business and transactional law, entity representation, probate, and estate planning. He graduated from the University of Idaho with a Juris Doctorate and a Master of Science in Water Law, Management, and Policy, and has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Utah.

Recognized as one of Idaho’s “Accomplished Under 40,” Matt is a frequent speaker and community leader who believes estate planning is not just about documents—it’s about legacy, clarity, and peace of mind.

Sally Hansell 

 Attorney | Anderson Hansell PC

Oregon Wheat Growers League Speaker

Sally Hansell and her father own the Hermiston law firm Anderson Hansell PC. She specializes in agri-business, property, estate planning and probate law. Sally, her husband Tyler and her family live on the multi-generational Hansell farm located west of Hermiston, Oregon.

Kevin Duling

CTA, Founder | KDI

Oregon Wheat Growers League Speaker

Biography

Kevin Duling, CTA, founder of KDI, started marketing his own crops in 1995. With a strong interest in the marketing side of agriculture, he began applying different tools to eliminate market risk and add value to the farm. Kevin graduated from Oregon State University in 1994 with a degree in Agricultural Resource Economics with minors in Crop Science and Rangeland Resources. He grew up on a farm outside Maupin, Oregon raising primarily wheat and alfalfa. He still helps with the farm operations, but consults clients throughout the US and Canada.

Albert Adjesiwor 

Assistant Professor & Extension Weed Management Specialist | University of Idaho

Biography

Albert Adjesiwor is an Assistant Professor and Extension Weed Management Specialist in the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho. Albert is studying and disseminating information on best weed management practices in agronomic crops.

David Brewer

Emerson Dell Farm

Oregon Wheat Commission Speaker

Biography

David Brewer is a fifth-generation dryland farmer from The Dalles, Oregon. Along with his wife Margaret, he manages Emerson Dell Farm where they produce wheat, barley, canola, mustard and sunflowers in a no-till cropping system. The Brewers also raise cattle on the farm and direct market grass-finished beef. David is a graduate of Oregon State University and the University of Minnesota with Ag Economics and Applied Economics degrees. He was a founding board member of the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association and currently serves on the Oregon Wheat Commission and as a board member for the Pacific Northwest Canola Association.

Dr. Leslie Edgar

 J.R. Simplot Endowed |  Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Biography

Leslie D. Edgar joined the University of Idaho as dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in June 2025. In her role as dean of CALS, Edgar oversees a college with more than 240 faculty located on campus and across the state at 10 research and Extension centers and in UI Extension offices located in 42 counties and three federally recognized tribal communities. 

Prior to her appointment as dean of CALS, Edgar served as associate dean of research and director of the Agricultural Research Center in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University, where she oversaw and provided leadership for interdisciplinary research teams, fiscal and personnel management, and strategic planning and direction for the CAHNRS research enterprise.

Alan Clark

Owner | Clark Farms, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation 

Biography

Alan Clark is a fifth-generation Idaho farmer who works alongside his father and brother to manage 1,300 acres of irrigated farmland. Together, they raise alfalfa, malt barley, and wheat, and maintain a herd of 500 Black Angus cow-calf pairs. Alan is also a skilled welder, providing custom fabrication and repair services.
For the past decade, Alan has been a passionate advocate for agriculture, serving in leadership roles at both the state and national levels. He is currently President of the Jefferson County Farm Bureau and previously chaired the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Promotion & Engagement Committee. He also served four years on the American Farm Bureau Federation P&E Committee, including terms as Vice Chair and Chair. 
Alan has traveled across the country helping develop programs and opportunities that empower farmers and ranchers to share their stories. His work focuses on bridging the knowledge gap between agricultural producers and the public, fostering greater understanding and connection.
He and his wife are raising four daughters and are deeply rooted in faith, community, and a shared love of agriculture. Alan takes pride in teaching his children the value of hard work and the importance of promoting the agricultural industry.

Ben Thiel

Director | Risk Management Agency, USDA

Biography

 Ben Thiel is the Director of the Risk Management Agency’s, Spokane Regional Office, which administers aspects of the federal crop insurance program for the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The Spokane Regional Office works closely with local grower groups, universities, and other government agencies to help improve risk management options for producers.  Mr. Thiel was raised on a family farm in Southeastern Idaho that produced alfalfa, malting barley and potatoes.  He has worked for the USDA in various roles and locations for over 23 years including Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Thiel has been the Spokane Regional Office Director for 11 years. Some interesting side notes about Mr. Thiel is that he is a bit of foodie, as he maintains a garden, orchards, and bees.  He is a certified BBQ judge and has judged BBQ competitions across the Midwest.  He is also a very loyal KC Chiefs football fan so don’t hold that against him or be jealous.
 

Cori Wittman Stitt

CEO | Witman Farms

Biography

Cori Wittman Stitt is an owner and CEO of Wittman Farms, a fourth-generation diversified crop, cattle and timber operation in North-Central Idaho. She is also an associate with Wittman Consulting, providing financial management and succession planning training to family farm businesses and consultants.  Prior to returning to the farm, Cori worked in the agricultural policy arena of Washington, DC for six years and spent five years in Thailand working in trafficking prevention and youth development.  She is passionate about the intersection of economic and environmental sustainability in the context of family farms.

Elizabeth Criner

Managing Partner | Veritas Advisors

Biography

Elizabeth Criner 
Managing Partner

Master of Arts, International Relations – University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts, International Relations – Boise State University

Elizabeth Criner joined Veritas Advisors in August of 2002 as the firm’s Managing Partner.  She has almost 30 years of lobbying experience in Idaho and a wealth of political expertise and strategic planning skills.  Elizabeth has developed and implemented successful federal and state legislative strategies for clients in a variety of issue areas, including appropriations, telecommunications, transportation, water, mining, environment, trade, taxes, and health care.  She began her public policy career in 1989, spending eight years in Washington DC working as a legislative assistant in both the House and Senate.  

Elizabeth serves in the leadership of the Idaho Liability Reform Coalition and Food Producers of Idaho. She also serves on the board and executive committee for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho.  When not working, Elizabeth enjoys walking her dog, fishing, cooking with friends and family, and time in Idaho’s beautiful outdoors. 

Riley Griffin

AgWest Farm Credit

Biography

Riley Griffin is from Rupert, ID and was raised on a family-farming operation consisting of sugar beet and small grains. Riley is currently employed with AgWest Farm Credit as the Senior Vice President for Southern Idaho where he oversees business development efforts in the Southern part of Idaho. Previously, Riley spent eight years as a Relationship Manager in AgWest’s Burley, ID Office. Riley is a graduate of Brigham Young University, studying Economics and Mathematics. Riley also holds an MBA from the University of South Dakota. Most importantly, Riley and his wife Jessica, are the parents of four children.

Dr. Jared Spackman 

UI Extension | University of Idaho

Biography

Dr. Jared Spackman is the University of Idaho's barley agronomist located in Aberdeen, Idaho. His academic training is in agronomy with particular emphasis on soil science, nutrient management and cycling, fertilizer management and selection, and plant nutrition. He conducts research evaluating sustainable irrigated and dryland small grain and mustard production strategies with an emphasis on soil nutrient management for yield, end-use quality, plant health, and soil and water quality. His research program strongly emphasizes nitrogen management, but also investigates other crop nutrients including phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and several micronutrients. Dr. Spackman and his post doc, Dr. Hafiz Ali, are updating and developing crop production guides including one guide released in 2025 for irrigated mustard production. He also conducts novel research investigating precipitated calcium carbonate as a liming agent for neutralizing acidifying soils in eastern and southern Idaho.
 

Zak Miller

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation 

Biography

Zak Miller has been devoted to the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation for almost a decade and has played diverse roles and handled various responsibilities during this period. Presently serving as the CEO of IFBF, he leads the largest agriculture volunteer organization in Idaho, advocating for the interests and priorities of farmers throughout the state. His passion for agriculture allows him to champion Farmers and Ranchers across Idaho, and he takes great pride in doing so.

Zak is one of the fifth generation on his family's farm and ranch in Parker, Idaho. The farm produces commercial potatoes, cereal grains, and forage. The ranching enterprise consists of a cow-calf herd and a backgrounding through finish feedlot. Zak's family is also a partner in Benchmark Potato in Rexburg and a shareholder in True West Beef in Jerome. 

A graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho, Zak worked as an animal nutrition consultant for nine years in the western states. During this time, he discovered the Farm Bureau, first as a volunteer and later as an employee.

Zak and his wife, Marcy, live in Rigby, Idaho. They enjoy being the parents of their four awesome daughters, supporting their church and local FFA chapter, and enjoying Idaho’s great outdoors, especially on the ranch chasing cows.

Dr. Earl Creech 

Professor | Utah State University

Biography

Earl Creech is a Professor and the Extension Agronomist at Utah State University.  Earl grew up on a family dairy and crop production farm near Logan, Utah and received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from USU before earning his Ph.D. at Purdue University.  He spent three years at the University of Nevada, Reno as the Extension Weed Specialist before accepting his current position at USU.  In his research and Extension efforts, Earl works to address critical agronomic issues facing oilseed, small grain, corn, and forage producers in Utah and throughout the western U.S.

Jason Godfrey

Partner | Mountain States Oilseeds

Biography

Jason Godfrey is a 2001 graduate of Utah State University, where he earned a dual degree in Agri-Business and Business. Raised with a deep appreciation for production agriculture, Jason always intended to follow in the footsteps of his family’s farming legacy. That early passion led him to Mountain States Oilseeds (MSO) at just 20 years old, where he found a company aligned with his vision—one that understood farming from a farmer’s perspective.

Today, Jason brings over 25 years of hands-on experience to the industry. He manages a 5,000-acre farming operation and oversees a trucking company, combining production expertise with logistical efficiency. As a full partner at MSO, Jason serves as contract and consultant manager for the company’s network of producers and leads strategic efforts in sales and market development.

Jason and his wife, Kotie, have raised their four children in Clarkston, Utah, where they continue to be deeply rooted in the local agricultural community. His leadership reflects a strong commitment to the long-term success of independent growers and the advancement of sustainable, market-driven agriculture.

David A. Coleman

Partner | Coleman, Ritchie and Jacobson

Biography

A graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law, he also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University in 1992

David joined his father’s law firm, Coleman, Ritchie & Robertson in 1998. He is now the senior partner in Coleman, Ritchie & Jacobson where he provides legal counsel across a wide range of civil matters, including: Banking and Creditor Representation, Corporate Law and Business Formation, Estate Planning, Real Estate Transaction and Litigation, and  Irrigation Company Representation.

David was born and raised in Twin Falls, Idaho on a small farm where he grew up raising wheat, corn alfalfa and beef cattle. Outside of his law practice, he is active with his own farming operation of 100 acres and small beef cow herd. He serves as a 4-H beef club leader and is an active member of his Church. His approach to the practice of law emphasizes professionalism, accessibility and achieving results that reflect his clients’ best interests.