| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Registration |
3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Welcome |
3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. | The Top 10 Mistakes That Break Up a Family Business!, Jolene Brown |
5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Break |
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Starting Gate Panel: Insights and Opportunities for the Next Generation |
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Tailgate Party with Games, Food, Drinks, and Expo |
Why Attend Side x Side?
Conference Agenda
Explore the presentations and activities planned for the two-day conference below.
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| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
7 a.m. – 8 a.m. | Breakfast |
8 a.m. – 9 a.m. | Stagnation and Sparks: Uneven Momentum in the Macro and Ag Economy, Matt Clark |
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Farm Insurance Fundamentals |
10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Break |
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | From Dirt to Dollars |
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | Lunch |
1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Fraud Impacting Agriculture |
1:45 p.m. – 3 p.m. | It’s Your Bid, Kevin Ochsner |
Agenda is subject to change.
Conference Locations and Dates
Side X Side conferences are coming to a location near you!
Keynote Speakers
Matt Clark
TerrainMatt 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, CSP, CPAE
Professional Speaker, Family Business Consultant, AuthorJolene Brown is a walking, talking spokesperson and champion for the people of agriculture. She's a farmer in Eastern Iowa, contributor to Successful Farming magazine’s popular family business column, author of two great books, and an inductee into the prestigious CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame. Her worldwide audiences appreciate her fun-filled spirit and valuable information. She's on a mission to share leading-edge best practices, appreciation, laughter, and celebration to increase productivity, profitability, and peace of mind. Hear more about Jolene's Side X Side presentation
Kevin Ochsner
Agcellerate, LLCKevin 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 (NCBA), 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.
Conference Highlights
See what makes Side X Side unforgettable! From expert insights to hands-on learning, networking, and fun—this event is built for young and beginning producers ready to lead their future. Watch highlights and hear what past attendees had to say about their experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Side by Side is consistently rated best-in-class for:
- Networking – This conference plays host to an incredible group of young farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners who are eager to meet their peers, share stories, and learn from each other.
- Learning – We’ve brought together some of our industry’s best thought leaders. Past attendees consistently rate- the educational sessions as some of the most engaging and useful they have attended.
- The Right Mix – We pack a lot into the conference agenda, accompanied by plenty of good food and fun.
So, here’s our commitment to you: You will learn something at Side by Side that changes how you do business; meet producers you want to stay in touch with for years to come; and enjoy some great food, drink and fun with some truly amazing people.
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We’ve designed this conference for our young and/or beginning customers who have a strong business sense and who appreciate the value of education and networking. Our lending teams from across our eight-state territories select operations to attend.
Eligible producers are those 35 years of age or younger, or those who have been farming 10 or fewer years.
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Typically, attendees are husband and wife, siblings, or close relatives who work in the same operation. But it’s okay to attend on your own or invite a friend from a neighboring operation.
Each selected operation is provided with one hotel room. But reach out to your lender if your circumstances require an additional room.
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Farm Credit Services of America, Frontier Farm Credit, and AgCountry Farm Credit Services, the hosts for Side by Side, will provide your room, food, and other accommodations while you are at the conference. Your travel to and from the conference, and any expenses outside of Side by Side organized activities are your responsibility.
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We invite producers from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming to attend the conference. These are young and/or beginning farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness owners who are eager to learn and connect.
In addition to your peers and speakers, you will meet members of the Farm Credit team and, at times, Board of Directors, most of whom are producers.
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This event is designed to focus on learning, networking, and activities that will keep you fully engaged. We don’t have accommodations or programming for children, so we recommend that they do not attend. Contact us at SideBySide@FCSAmerica.com with any questions or if you have extenuating circumstances.
Are you interested in attending Side X Side?
If you’re a young or beginning producer—typically 35 or younger or farming for 10 years or less—we’d like to hear from you! We’re currently accepting requests from producers in eastern Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and Wyoming to join our waitlist.
Simply share your information, and a member of our team will connect with you soon.
Side X Side Conference Contact
Contact us for more information about our Side X Side conference.