Speakers
Jamie Barker
Canola Agronomist & Buyer| Bunge
Biography
Jamie is the Canola Agronomist & Buyer for Bunge's Warden, Washington facility, where he works with growers across the Pacific Northwest to support canola production, procurement, and market development. A graduate of The Citadel and a U.S. Army veteran, Jamie brings expertise in agronomy, market analysis, and grower engagement to help strengthen the region's canola industry.
Sam Beveridge
Senior Director of Sourcing | Adams Group
Biography
Sam is the Senior Director of Sourcing at Adams Group specializing in organic and specialty agricultural commodities. He also leads risk management, grower relations, and P&L.
Dr. Erin Brooks
Associate Professor, Soil and Water Systems | College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Biography
Dr. Erin Brooks is a Professor at the University of Idaho with degrees in Agricultural Engineering and a research focus in landscape hydrology, soil fertility, nutrient transport, precision agriculture, irrigation, and water management. His research focuses on developing site-specific decision support tools based on process-based models. He is currently co-leading the Innovative Agricultural and Market Partnership (IAMP) grant which is engaging with producers across the state of Idaho to adopt sustainable farming practices and strengthen marketing opportunities for documented value-added attributes that can be linked to commodities being sold.
Leslie Druffle
Director of Outreach | The McGregor Company; Co-Chair, Inland Ports & Navigation Group
Biography
Raised near Moscow, Idaho, Leslie values her upbringing in a rural setting, which taught her the importance of hard work. Leslie has put her Agricultural Economics degree from the University of Idaho to good use across the many roles she has held within the company. Today, she serves as Director of Outreach and actively collaborates on public policy, rural economic development, and environmental issues while also engaging in agricultural literacy and workforce development projects.
Tom Hance
National Barley Growers Association | US Canola Associtiation
Biography
Dr. Pat Hatzenbuehler
Associate Professor, Extension Specialist – Crop Economics | University of Idaho
Biography
Dr. Patrick Hatzenbuehler is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Crop Economics at the University of Idaho. Hatzenbuehler performs evidence-based research and extension activities that are focused on analyzing and forecasting crop market conditions, determining the profitability implications of crop production decisions under changing market conditions, and identifying and developing effective farm business management tools and strategies.
Sara Hiatt
LCSW
Biography:
Sara Hiatt is a trauma-informed therapist with over 15 years of experience helping individuals and families heal, grow, and build resilience. After earning her Master of Social Work from Northwest Nazarene University, she specialized in treating trauma, mental health, and substance use challenges. Sara's work is deeply influenced by the research of Dr. Brené Brown and Dr. Kristin Neff, with a focus on self-compassion, shame resilience, vulnerability, and connection. She is passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces where people can heal, embrace authenticity, and thrive.
Sam Keiffer
CEO | National Assocation of Wheat Growers
Biography
Stephanie Ligon
Sales Director | Blue Cross of Idaho
Biography
Dr. Juliet Marshall
Associate Director of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station
Endowed Research Professor, Cereals Pathology and Agronomy | University of Idaho
Biography
Juliet M. Marshall is the Associate Director of the Idaho Ag Experiment Station and a Research Professor of Cereals Agronomy and Pathology at the University of Idaho, in the Department of Plant Sciences, joining the UI faculty in 2004. With 34 years of cereals experience in southern Idaho at both the Aberdeen Research and Extension Center (starting in 1992) and the Idaho Falls R&E Center, Juliet’s responsibilities include the University’s cereal variety trials, research in cereal pathology, product testing, and fertility for end-use quality.
Erika Meadow
Mountain States Oilseeds
Biography
Erika Meadows continues her father Bill Meadows's legacy at Mountain States Oilseeds, LLC, where she grew up in Rockland Valley developing an early appreciation for agricultural hard work. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education with a Spanish minor from Albertson College of Idaho and an M.S. in Instructional Strategies, and spent 11 years working overseas in Germany for the Department of Defense before returning home to be closer to family. Now working alongside them to manage operations and advance the company's mission of supporting local growers through specialty crops, innovative farming techniques, food safety, and international marketing, Erika has found a career that combines her passion for agriculture with meaningful, rewarding work.
Joseph D. Popplewell
J.D., LL.M.| Popplewell Law
Biography
Joe is a native of Buhl, Idaho. He graduated from the University of Idaho with his Juris Doctor, Master of Accountancy and Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting. Joe also graduated from New York University with his LL.M. in Taxation. He owns Popplewell Law located in Twin Falls, Idaho. His practice focuses on estate planning, taxation, probate and business formation and taxation. Many of his clients own farms and ranches.
Clarence Robison
Research Associate | University of Idaho
Biography
Raised on a family irrigated crop and dairy farm north of Eden, Idaho, he earned his B.S. (1978) and M.S. (1984) in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Idaho after graduating from Valley High School. He began working at the University of Idaho Kimberly Research and Extension Center during his studies, focusing on best management practices for irrigation runoff and water quality. Over five decades there, his work has centered on applied water resources, including groundwater modeling, flow measurement, meteorological data collection, and satellite-based crop evapotranspiration estimation.
Dr. Christopher Rogers
Research Soil Scientist | USDA-ARS, Northwest Irrigation and Soil Lab
Biography
Dr. Rogers is a Research Soil Scientist at the USDA-ARS NW Irrigation and Soils Laboratory in Kimberly, ID. He specializes in nutrient cycling within soil-plant-water systems and leads the development of soil fertility, nutrient management, plant nutrition, and irrigation practices for a wide range of cropping systems.
Kenny Roundes
Idaho Regional Agronomy Manager | Anheuser-Busch
Biography
Kenny was raised in agriculture in Eastern Idaho. From a young age he created a passion for working in the dirt growing crops. This passion has led him through a great career with Anheuser Busch starting in seed operations to leading the ag program in Idaho. He enjoy working with other farmers to help them be as successful as possible.
Dr. Jared Spackman
Idaho Barley Commission Endowed Barley Agronomist | University of Idaho
Biography:
Dr. Jared Spackman is the Idaho Barley Commission Endowed Barley Agronomist at the University of Idaho, where his research, Extension, and service programs promote best management practices for sustainable barley, wheat, and mustard production — focusing on soil nutrient management, yield and end-use quality, plant health, precision agriculture, and soil and water protection. Working collaboratively with colleagues nationwide and guided by industry input, he has built a national presence through professional committees, refereed publications, and competitive grants supporting his students and staff, and he shares this work through Extension publications, bulletins, workshops, field days, and grower conferences.
Ben Thiel
Regional Office Director | USDA RMA
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.
Erin Whorton
Hydrologist | Natural Resources Conservation Services, USDA
Biography
Erin Whorton is a hydrologist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Idaho Snow Survey team. She specializes in interpreting how snowpack and other environmental conditions will impact water supply for agricultural producers. Previously she worked as a hydrologist monitoring glacier and snowpack-related hazards in Washington State and Alaska. After graduate school, she helped develop potash supplies on a mine in Utah and worked for several years as an onsite geologist for oil and gas exploration in Montana, Utah, New York and Ohio.
