Presentation Topic: The Importance of Associations

During her farm broadcast tenure, Cyndi worked for Oklahoma Agrinet and was Farm Director for WTAX Springfield, Illinois. She joined Brownfield as Regional Farm Director in 1998, and in October of 2001, was promoted to Director of Brownfield and Ag Operations.

Cyndi has traveled extensively throughout the United States and to 16 different countries covering agriculture for Midwestern farmers and ranchers. Her work has earned her dozens of honors from agriculture groups and associations. A member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting for nearly 35 years, Cyndi was recognized as Farm Broadcaster of the Year for the nation in 1997 and received the coveted Oscar in Agriculture in 2009.

Cyndi grew up on a 6th generation family grain and livestock farm in west central Illinois. She and her husband own Rocking P Ranch near Jamestown, Missouri where they raise Simmental cattle and have a branded beef business.

In addition to managing the largest ag radio network in the country, Cyndi produces a daily radio commentary program and pens a popular weekly column in both Illinois AgriNews and Indiana AgriNews.

Presentation Topic: 2020 Growing Experiences

Andy is a 6th generation farmer and founder of American Hemp Research. Andy and his brother Frank were one of the first legal hemp growers in Illinois. American Hemp Research works with universities and other groups to research high CBD hemp varieties and their success in Illinois. They are working to provide stable hemp seed and resources to those interested in growing hemp. Andy has been featured on numerous media outlets for his efforts in the hemp industry and has spoken at numerous industry events.

Presentation Topic: Hemp Fiber Production

Jeff is a lifelong agricultural professional and owner/operator of multiple successful agri-business operations based in the Missouri Bootheel. Jeff has spent 40+ years building a diversified portfolio of agricultural related businesses. Through these operations Jeff has created a process to take large corporation’s waste streams and convert them into sustainable fertilizer which improves regional farm yields. He has spent years developing this sustainable method to help move corporations towards a land-fill free process and improve farmland production to feed a growing population.

Additionally, Jeff operates a cattle feeding operation, farms vast acreage, and runs a company that uses a patented process to convert imported coconut shells into organic kitty litter. Most recently Jeff has established himself as a thought leader in the young, Missouri hemp industry by developing the protocols necessary to successfully raise industrial hemp throughout the state.