Industry Ag News 4/14

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The Corn Refiners Association joined 34 other food and agriculture organizations in releasing the 10th annual Feeding the Economy report, a comprehensive farm-to-fork analysis of the entire food and agriculture supply chain. The report measures the direct and indirect contributions of America’s food and agriculture industries to U.S. jobs, wages, economic output, and tax revenue. This year’s report underscores the immense reach of the food and agriculture sector across the U.S. economy. America’s food and agriculture industries generate more than $10.4 trillion in economic activity, representing nearly 20 percent of total U.S. economic output. These industries support more than 48.7 million jobs nationwide, including nearly 24.3 million direct jobs, demonstrating their importance to communities in every region of the country.
  • In celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer initiative, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Leadership program, together with a strong coalition of U.S. agrifood system stakeholders, will host a landmark national gathering to honor the vital role women play in agriculture and the supply chain. Registration is open for the International Year of the Woman Farmer ACE (Advocate, Cultivate, Empower) Summit, which will take place in Washington, D.C., June 1–3. The summit is open to all women farmers from across the country, regardless of Farm Bureau membership. Learn more and register by May 6 here.
  • With a record corn crop to move, the corn industry is on the hunt for new and innovative uses for America’s crop. And one solution may be found in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the clothing and textiles sector—athleisure wear. The popular clothing style—yoga pants, joggers, hoodies and more—combines high fashion with high functionality and comfort, and has been gaining in popularity for years. But as with any product that is sourced from petrochemicals, there is an opportunity to replace the oil-based feedstock with one that is sourced from corn. And at Qore, a joint venture between Cargill and HELM, they’re working on making this a possibility. In this podcast episode, Andrea Vanderhoff, Director of Technology and Sustainability at Qore, shares more about how their QIRA technology is opening new avenues for corn-based products to penetrate the textiles market, including in athleisure wear. And, National Corn Growers Association Director of Outputs and Measurements Harley Janssen talks about the potential impacts and benefits for the corn industry.
  • During the United States Identity Preserved Alliance Annual Meeting in Chicago, three board directors were reelected – Jake Noll with Richland IFC, Chuck Kunisch of Michigan Agricultural Commodities and Curt Petrich with H.C. International – and officers were selected for 2026-27, with Bryan Severs reappointed chair.
  • The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the agency is reopening the 2025 crop acreage reporting period required for specialty crop producers who want to apply for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program. Announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins on Feb. 13, the ASCF program is designed to help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. Specialty crop producers now have until April 24, 2026, to report 2025 acres to FSA.
  • Agri-Pulse will host another “Great Tomato Challenge” in Sacramento, California. The competition is open to members of the California Senate and Assembly members and their staff members.
  • The Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation has awarded Janice Shiu the 2026 Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant. Shiu is a graduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, pursuing a degree in Computer Science and conducting research that applies statistical and artificial intelligence (AI) methods to improve the reliability and resilience of soybean and corn yields in the Midwest—key feedstocks for biomass-based diesel.
  • Advanced Biofuels USA is pleased to announce that Jenna Bloxom has been elected President of the Board of Directors. She took office upon the March 23, 2026, formal resignation of Advanced Biofuels USA President, Doug Root.
  • As the United States recognizes National Agriculture Month, the American Biogas Council released new data showing U.S. farms are capturing 166 percent more biogas – a source of energy created by recycling organic waste like manure and food scraps – than they were just five years ago. Yet most of the nation’s potential to produce domestic energy from agricultural waste on farms remains untapped. According to the ABC, 631 farms today operate biogas capture systems – more than double the number in 2020. Those farms can produce over 61 million MMBtu of energy annually, compared to about 23 million MMBtu five years ago. In 2025, 41 new systems came online, representing $835 million in investment. Total investment in farm-based biogas capture systems has now reached $6.4 billion.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Syngenta Urges Well Rounded Approach to Disease Pressure

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Growers are facing many challenges this season, making it critical to protect yield potential and their bottom line in an environment defined by unpredictable weather and compounding disease risks. Syngenta is urging farmers to face those risks with a well-rounded approach.

    Jesse Grote, Syngenta agronomic service representative

    “My overarching message is don’t get caught up in just one disease and manage towards one, because I think that can lead us maybe to being reactive instead of proactive,” said Jesse Grote, an agronomic service representative for Syngenta in Iowa.

    At Commodity Classic, Grote used the example of what he’s seen in Iowa recently. “In the last two years, we’ve had southern rust, and I can’t remember a time in my career that I’ve ever seen southern rust so bad. But it doesn’t overwinter once you get up north…So don’t only manage for rust,” he said. “We’ve seen that with tar spot. We used to call it tar spot tunnel vision.”

    Last year, corn and soybean growers lost nearly 1.5 billion bushels to disease in the United States, with tar spot a persistent concern across the upper Midwest, contributing to 188 million lost bushels in 2025. Southern rust expanded farther north and appeared earlier than expected, while ear rots and mycotoxins are also becoming a larger part of disease planning conversations, according to Syngenta.

    Kevin Scholl, agronomic service representative

    With harvestable yield directly tied to profitability, Syngenta encourages growers to think beyond reactive disease control and toward season‑long risk mitigation. Miravis® Neo corn and soybean fungicide is designed to deliver consistent, broad‑spectrum protection — helping safeguard yield potential across a wide range of diseases and environmental conditions such as heat or drought.

    Illinois agronomy rep Keven Scholl says the goal is to protect profit no matter what happens. “When you get this healthy soybean plant growing out there, protect it to the end. And so that means using a fungicide to be able to control any diseases that come in late and also have that plant health benefits to be able to control any stress,” said Scholl.

    For corn, Grote says, “I would navigate towards getting that premium fungicide on at tassel time….So the best defense and the best ROI is going to be, when you think about fungicide, that premium Miravis Neo at tassel time.”

    Learn more in these interviews:

    Jesse Grote, agronomic service representative – How 2025 disease pressure is informing risk decisions for 2026
    Classic26 - Jesse Grote, Syngenta (4:54)

    Kevin Scholl, agronomic service representative – Reshaping planting strategies for a stronger soybean start
    Classic26 - Kevin Scholl, Syngenta (6:00)

    Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, Fungicide, Soybean, Syngenta

    Precision Ag News 4/13

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • U.S. corn farmers are facing growing uncertainty around fertilizer affordability and access, with concern mounting well beyond the current planting season, according to new survey results released by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).
  • Biotalys, an agricultural technology company developing protein-based biocontrol solutions for sustainable crop protection, announced it has achieved a first research milestone in its partnership with Syngenta, a global leader in agricultural innovation, to develop a novel bioinsecticide against key insect pests. Initial laboratory tests demonstrated promising in vitro results with novel bioactive ingredients developed using Biotalys’ unique AGROBODY™ technology against the insect molecular target.
  • Deere & Company announced that it has reached a settlement agreement to resolve the multidistrict “right to repair” litigation pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. This settlement addresses the issues raised in the 2022 complaint and brings this case to an end with no finding of wrongdoing.
  • As growers gear up for another demanding season, priorities remain clear: maximizing nutrient efficiency, protecting input investments and ensuring reliable access to essential crop nutrition. SUL4R-PLUS® from Helm Crop Nutrition delivers on all three as a domestically produced calcium sulfate fertilizer with validated agronomic performance and a dependable U.S. supply chain. Backed by expanded production capacity and fully domestic sourcing, it is readily available to meet grower demand without the supply chain disruptions and challenges faced by other fertilizer products.
  • Syngenta announced the global launch of VIRESTINA™ technology (active ingredient: metproxybicyclone), after Argentina became the first country in the world to approve the technology. Syngenta is also planning to bring this innovation to Brazil, Australia, the U.S., and Canada.
  • The Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) announced that they have retained Dr. Emerson Nafziger to serve as Interim Research Director.
  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) announced nominations for its 2026 Hall of Fame program are now open.
  • American Drone Network (ADN) has announced a partnership with BRANDT to advance crop input solutions specifically tailored for agricultural spray drone operations. Together, BRANDT and ADN will develop and optimize adjuvant, nutritional, and surfactant systems designed to enhance the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of drone-based crop applications. As part of the partnership, ADN members will have access to select BRANDT products with added benefits, helping drone operators adopt proven crop input technologies while improving operational efficiency and application results.
  • The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) and Nutrien are pleased to announce a free, co-hosted webinar bringing science-based soil fertility and nutrient management tools directly to agronomists, crop consultants and farmers. “eKonomics Calculators in Practice: Tools and Resources for Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management” will be held Thursday, April 23, 2026, at noon CDT (1 p.m. EDT). The one-hour session is free, open to all and eligible for one Science Societies CEU credit for professional development. Registration is free.

    • 

    AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    2026 Agri-Marketing Conference Preview

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    NAMA - Hungry for MoreThe 2026 Agri-Marketing Conference is coming up next week. For a preview I talked with conference chair, David Jones, Bader Rutter. We run through a variety of questions about the theme for the conference, keynote speakers, best of NAMA, Connection Point, breakouts, awards and student competition. As the theme says, people are Hungry For More.

    Of course you can still register if you haven’t yet. You just have to go this link on the NAMA website. David said it this way.

    “Nama.org is the place to go for registration or for more information, and yes, sir, we will absolutely take those last-minute registrations, no problem at all. If you’re on the fence, go ahead and jump in there and register. You do not want to miss this one.”

    You can listen to my interview with David here:
    Agri-Marketing Conference Preview (10:00)

    Advertising, Agencies, Audio, Marketing, NAMA

    ZimmCast 758 – All About ZimmComm

    Chuck Zimmerman 1 Comment

    ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast. I’m Chuck Zimmerman.

    In this episode the tables have been turned. We thought it would be fun for Laura McNamara, one of our very early freelancers, to interview Cindy and me, about the how, what and why we created ZimmComm and all its elements. We’ve had people ask about this over the years, but as you will hear, from the start it has continued to develop and pivot when needed.

    As many know, Cindy and I took a big step to stop traveling this year. We’re really happy to be working with Laura as some of the events we’ve worked on for years still want to use good photography and interviews to make content with a target audience of ag journalists. So, this step toward retirement for most people is as easy as just walking away and going fishing. But when you’ve built a business over 20-plus years it’s a little more difficult. We’re still working at the ZimmComm World Headquarters so stay tuned.

    Listen to the episode here:
    ZimmCast 758 - About ZimmComm (42:04)

    That’s the ZimmCast for now. If you have some exciting news in the agrimarketing world, feel free to contact me for the next episode. Just email Chuck at chuck@zimmcomm.biz.

    We hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    Agencies, Agribusiness, Audio, Marketing, ZimmCast

    Early Season Weed Control Remains Critical

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    With planting underway across the Midwest, Syngenta agronomist Matt Geiger is reminding growers not to cut corners on early-season weed management—even in a challenging farm economy.

    “Starting clean is step one,” Geiger said during an interview at the 2026 Commodity Classic in San Antonio. He noted that modern tillage equipment often fails to eliminate emerged waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, creating “tillage escapes” that damage the plant’s vascular system and become much harder to control later. Geiger recommends an early burndown with residual herbicide or spraying right ahead of tillage passes in both crops. “Herbicides aren’t a beauty contest—they’re about preventing weed competition so you can maximize yield while staying easy on the crop,” said Geiger.

    Geiger highlighted Storen herbicide, launched in 2025, for corn. Field results show up to three weeks longer residual on pigweeds, stronger activity on large-seeded broadleaves, improved grass control and far greater consistency: more than 90 percent of the time Storen delivered over 95 percent weed control in one-pass programs.

    Learn more in this interview:
    Matt Geiger, agronomic service representative – Early-season weed control
    Classic26 - Matt Geiger, Syngenta (5:06)

    Agribusiness, Commodity Classic, Herbicide, Syngenta, weed management

    Animal Ag News 4/8

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Auburn University’s Hunger Solutions Institute (HSI) a $2.99 million grant, using FY2025 funding appropriated by Congress, to expand SNAP Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives (HFMI) projects across 169 SNAP-authorized retail stores in nine states. The award includes 75 new HFMI locations in Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, and Oklahoma, along with the renewal of 94 existing sites in Alabama, California, and South Dakota. By scaling this targeted SNAP incentive, USDA is equipping more retailers to help SNAP households purchase fluid milk—one of the most under-consumed, nutrient-dense foods identified in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans—while reinforcing the critical role dairy plays in improving diet quality and advancing public health. Since 2020, HFMI has expanded to more than 1,270 retail stores in 33 states. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) welcomed the announcement, highlighting HFMI as a proven approach to encouraging healthier food choices through the SNAP program.
  • USPOULTRY will hold its annual Poultry Processor Workshop on May 20-21 in Greenville, S.C. This year’s program will focus on leadership and operational excellence, along with a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service update and discussions on retained water and overall operational efficiencies, including preventive maintenance and the use of data analytics to enhance plant performance. The program will also address packaging considerations, including producer responsibility and sustainability.
  • The Joint Poultry Industry Safety Award Program is now accepting applications from poultry industry facilities that have demonstrated exceptional safety programs. This award program is open to members of the National Chicken Council (NCC), National Turkey Federation (NTF) and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). Eligible facilities include poultry processing plants, further processing facilities, egg processing plants, hatcheries, feed mills, animal support services and rendering facilities. To qualify, applicants must have implemented innovative and effective safety programs as well as have maintained injury and illness rates below the industry average for three consecutive years. Award program rules, regulations and application forms can be accessed here. The application deadline is May 15.
  • Public lands ranchers joined Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, as the secretaries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to launch their Grazing Action Plan. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) leaders and members then participated in a roundtable discussing cooperative work to address longstanding challenges for federal lands grazing permittees.
  • Zinpro Corporation, the world’s leading innovator and manufacturer of high-performance organic trace minerals and animal nutrition solutions, announced the release of its 2025 Sustainability Report, highlighting meaningful progress across environmental stewardship, innovation, social impact and industry collaboration.
  • DairyKind, the UC Davis CLEAR Center and Alltech have collaborated to develop a pair of educational videos focused on clarifying what sustainability means within the cattle industry. The videos deliver the same core content, with one presented in English and the other in Spanish. This ensures greater accessibility and provides a valuable educational resource for Spanish-speaking audiences across the industry.
  • Applications are being accepted for college scholarships that are awarded by America’s dairy farmers and importers through the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB). Eleven scholarships worth $2,500 each will be awarded, in addition to a $3,500 James H. Loper Jr. Memorial Scholarship to one outstanding recipient. NDB funds, in part, Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff program. Applications can be found at dairycheckoff.com/about-us/scholarship. Completed applications must be received no later than May 15 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
  • The National Pork Producers Council elected new officers and board members to lead the organization through the 2026-2027 term. These experienced leaders will guide NPPC’s advocacy efforts, advancing policies that support the growth, sustainability, and long-term resilience of the U.S. pork industry.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Industry Ag News 4/2

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Farm Journal Foundation marked National Ag Day in Washington D.C. with a groundbreaking celebration at the Voice of the Farmer Garden exhibit, located at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s headquarters on the National Mall. The Voice of the Farmer Garden is a permanent learning exhibit that showcases the major crops grown in America and teaches visitors about agriculture’s contribution to U.S. food security, nutrition, economic growth, and more.
  • Reps. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) and Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) introduced H.R. 8137 the Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act to incentivize the production of biobased chemicals and materials, which will create new markets for American farmers.
  • The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is excited to announce the hiring of Madison Sifford as communications coordinator. In this role, Sifford will help advance the organization’s communications strategy and increase the visibility of state departments of agriculture’s work. She will develop digital and print communications, including managing NASDA’s social media platforms and website.
  • The AgCareers Agriculture and Food Roundtable Conference is coming to Champaign, Illinois, August 4–6, hosted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This three-day event brings together agriculture and food industry leaders, employers, educators, and recruitment professionals to connect, collaborate, and explore the latest trends shaping the future of industry talent.
  • Registration is now open for the Southern Peanut Growers Conference July 21-23, 2026 at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida. View the conference schedule and register online.
  • Join FAPRI at the 2026 Womack Missouri Agriculture Outlook Conference on April 8, 2026 at MU’s Bradford Research Farm in Columbia. Registration is FREE but required so we have enough food for attendees. Register now.
  • The California Antique Farm Equipment Show™ is returning to the International Agri-Center, with a weekend full of history and family-friendly entertainment. For more than 30 years, the event has celebrated antique farm equipment with fun for attendees of all ages.
  • The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has released its 2026 U.S. Public Policy Agenda, a comprehensive framework for advancing the fresh produce and floral industry’s priorities across six critical areas at a time of significant legislative and regulatory activity in Washington.
  • The International Agri-Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Lausten as Assistant General Manager. In this new role, Lausten will continue to lead the organization’s marketing efforts while taking on expanded leadership responsibilities across the organization.
  • Idea Ranch has been selected as agency of record for Nutrena, a trusted name in animal nutrition serving livestock, poultry, equine, pet, and lifestyle animal owners across North America. The partnership aligns Nutrena’s proven leadership in animal nutrition with Idea Ranch’s approach to smart strategy, strong creative, and results driven marketing. Idea Ranch will support Cargill® Animal Nutrition and Health across brand strategy, creative, paid and earned media, and performance focused execution across key species and retail channels.
  • The ARC Annual Meeting will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the TractorWorks building, home of Curious Plot. The former home of the Deere & Webber tractor factory has the perfect meeting space for ARC members. Save the dates and watch for more details on preferred hotels in the area and booking information. June 16 will be all-day education featuring a welcome from Thom Petersen, Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture, and so much more. On June 17, the famous ag tour day will be held.
  • It’s time for the 2026 LPC awards contest! Find rules, fees, deadlines, entry instructions and other information HERE. All categories now include more specific descriptions, which can be found here.
  • A scientist who led a global food safety movement that prevented millions of cases of foodborne illness, dismantled barriers to trade and humanitarian aid, and reduced food loss and waste has been named the 2026 World Food Prize Laureate. Huub Lelieveld, a humanitarian and food safety expert from the Netherlands, has been recognized for marshaling a movement across 113 countries to deliver the scientific evidence for modern regulations, legislation and international standards that safeguard the world’s food supply. Through six decades of research, institution-building and tireless advocacy, he has united scientists, industry leaders and policymakers around a commitment to safe and nutritious food for all.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Precision Ag News 4/1

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Case IH proudly represented American farmers at the White House, bringing an enduring symbol of the industry’s strength and legacy to the nation’s capital. Displayed on the South Lawn during a presidential “Celebration of Agriculture” event, the Case IH Heartland Magnum™ tractor stood as a tribute to the farmers who power American agriculture and to the generations of manufacturing expertise rooted in Racine, Wisconsin.
  • Agtools will partner with seasoned commodity risk management expert Tim Andriesen to unlock new opportunities in specialty crops agricultural commodities. Andriesen is a highly respected expert in commodity risk management, with an extensive career spanning over 40 years. He has held various leadership roles at prominent institutions, most recently, he ran CME Group’s agricultural commodities futures product line.
  • Innovation, profitability, and technology in conservation agriculture will take center stage during the 19th annual Conservation in Action Tour June 3-4 in and around Raleigh, N.C. The Conservation Technology Information Center’s flagship event brings farmers, agriculture professionals, and conservation leaders together for immersive learning and producer perspectives focused on systems that reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and remain productive and profitable.
  • Synsus Private Label Partners, LLC, an industry leader renowned for delivering end-to-end, custom-formulated solutions to agricultural, turf, and consumer lawn & garden brands and retailers globally, today announced the acquisition of Emerald Bioagriculture, a respected innovator in biostimulant technologies. This strategic move is set to expand Synsus’ diverse portfolio of technologies to drive the advancement of eco-friendly solutions for growers, turf managers, and homeowners worldwide.
  • Bushel Plus Ltd., a global leader in harvest optimization solutions, has been named the recipient of the New Technology Innovation Award at Canada’s Farm Show, one of the country’s premier agricultural events, held March 17-19, 2026, in Regina, Saskatchewan. Bushel Plus earned the award for its newly released X9 Split Frame MAD Concaves™, a state-of-the-art modular concave system for John Deere X9 Series Combines that reduces concave changeover time while improving grain quality and overall combine performance.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation announced the appointment of Mark Gee, genomic prediction and phenotyping engineer at Beck’s Hybrids, to the Foundation’s Council of Advisors, filling one of two seats reserved for early career professionals.
  • Stimera, the crop science company formerly known as BioAge, announced the appointment of Lon E. Kreger as Chief Executive Officer. The leadership transition marks an important step in the company’s evolution as it moves from product validation and early market traction toward broader commercial scale.
  • With a new direct-to-retailer distribution model, Performance Nutrition is pleased to announce the addition of Lance Eipperle as Midwest Ag Territory Manager.
  • BinSentry, the global leader in AI-powered feed inventory management, today announced the launch of Control Tower, a real-time software platform designed specifically for feed mills and grain elevators.
  • Bayer Crop Science has joined the efforts to modernize AGDISP, the pesticide spray drift model developed by the U.S. Forest Service in the 1980s. AGDISP is used by EPA and other global regulators and stakeholders to evaluate a variety of potential spray drift conditions and off-site deposition from liquid pesticide applications to determine application method and application parameters on a pesticide’s label. The modernization will seek to update AGDISP with current computing technologies and enable incorporating current and emerging environmental stewardship technologies and precision‑agriculture practices into the EPA’s pesticide registration regulatory process.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    NAMA 2026 Next Gen Awards Winners

    Chuck Zimmerman

    National Agri-Marketing AssociationThe National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is proud to announce the recipients of the Next Gen Awards, recognizing emerging leaders who are shaping the future of agricultural marketing.

    The Next Gen NAMA Award was created to celebrate rising professionals who demonstrate excellence, innovation, and leadership within their organizations and across the industry. Honorees are nominated by their companies or through chapter and national leadership. The awards will be presented at the 2026 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 15-17 in St. Louis.

    Ann HorackAnn Horack
    Marketing Communications Lead, Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health
    Ann Horack has built a dynamic career spanning agency, cooperative, and corporate roles within agriculture. With deep roots in farming and expertise across both row crop and dairy sectors, she brings a strategic, insight-driven approach to marketing. She led the launch of Cargill’s dairy consulting brand campaign, “The Originals,” a research-based initiative that has already earned Regional Best of NAMA recognition. Known for her collaborative leadership, Ann aligns cross-functional teams across the U.S. and Canada while mentoring emerging professionals and contributing actively to NAMA initiatives.

    Andrew LevensonAndrew Levenson
    Vice President & Managing Director, Root+Beta
    Andrew Levenson has played a pivotal role in Root+Beta’s growth, rising quickly to lead a team of nearly 40 employees. His entrepreneurial mindset and strategic leadership have driven a 100% client retention rate and expanded the agency’s capabilities through innovations such as CRM platforms, marketing automation, and advanced digital tools. A strong advocate for collaboration, Andrew fosters team development and industry engagement, serving on the MidSouth NAMA board and helping grow membership and participation.

    Ryan SiegelRyan Siegel
    Marketing Communications Manager, Missouri Soybean
    Ryan Siegel has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation during his tenure with Missouri Soybeans, earning two promotions in four years. He transformed the Missouri Soybean Farmer magazine into a leading communications platform and drove a 300% increase in social media engagement. Ryan has also modernized digital communications through CRM integration and data-driven strategies. A dependable leader, he mentors team members and actively contributes to NAMA as an awards judge and collegiate competition supporter.

    NAMA