Side X Side conference

Matt is Terrain’s rural economy analyst, focusing on the impacts of interest rates, land values; and other macroeconomic trends on agriculture. He previously worked as the senior industry analyst with American AgCredit, one of the largest associations in the Farm Credit System, and as an assistant economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

Matt has an extensive background analyzing and forecasting key commodities such as wine grapes, field crops, dairy, beef, permanent plantings; and forest products; providing macroeconomic analysis, statistical validation of risk models; and chairing various commodity and risk analysis committees. Matt earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree in agricultural economics from Kansas State University.

Jolene Brown will have you laughing while you learn! She’s an award-winning communicator, an inductee into the prestigious CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame and an honored recipient of the Certified Speaking Professional, the highest earned designation of speaking achievement worldwide! She's known as a Champion for Agriculture whether from the platform, on social media, in the magazines, on television, or on the radio. Jolene is a walking-talking spokesperson and consultant for the family-owned business. With her keen insight and result-centered approach, she's been invited to sit at lots of kitchen tables and family business meeting rooms. Her popular book, Sometimes You Need More Than a 2x4!, contains how-to-tips so those in agriculture can increase productivity, profitability and peace of mind. In Jolene’s second book, Holy Crap! I Married a Farmer!, she celebrates her “sisters in agriculture.” She honors their multiple and valuable roles by bringing them useful tips, real life stories and lots of laughter. As co-owner and active partner on their Eastern Iowa corn and soybean farm, her practical experience includes plugging a grain auger, hypnotizing chickens and entertaining folks behind the equipment parts counter. Jolene cares deeply about the ag industry and is on a mission to share leading-edge best practices. She's a passionate supporter, promoter and champion for the people who feed, clothe and fuel the world. Her worldwide audiences appreciate her fun-filled humor and real life stories. They leave with take home value, great big smiles on their faces and eager to return for more.

Kevin Ochsner is founder and President of Agcellerate, LLC, an agribusiness consulting firm focused on providing keynote speaking, strategic planning, and management training services to agribusiness companies and organizations. Prior to founding Agcellerate in 2014, he spent 23 years with Indianapolis-based consulting company Agri Business Group. His clients have included agribusinesses such as BASF, Bayer Crop Science, Certified Angus Beef, Case IH, John Deere and Zoetis in addition to industry organizations and associations including National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the United States Meat Export Federation, the American Hereford Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, and many others. In addition to his consulting duties, Kevin hosts NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen, a TV show seen weekly on RFD-TV. A native Coloradoan, Kevin grew up on an irrigated farm and cattle operation in Fort Collins, Colorado and graduated magna cum laude from Colorado State University in 1991 with a BS degree in Agricultural Business. In 1998, he earned his Masters in Management from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. Kevin and his wife Julie have three grown children and make their home on an irrigated farm and ranch along the South Platte river in Kersey, Colorado. Together they have built Ochsner Limousin (www.ocattle.com) a registered Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle operation focused on producing bulls for commercial cattlemen and Ochsner Tender-Raised Beef, a direct-to consumer beef business.