THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU'LL MAKE IN YOUR BUSINESS ALL YEAR...
What is FARMCON?
FARMCON is an opportunity for you to connect with like-minded movers and shakers in the ag sector. These are people who have felt the ground crumbling beneath their feet and lived to tell the tale. It’s is an event for learning, working, and some play too. It’s not for everyone though – we’re looking for those ready and willing to take themselves and their businesses to the next level in 2021. It’s a series of hands-on workshops that will encourage you to push the limits of your creativity, discipline, and potential for success.
Most importantly, FARMCON doesn’t end when the conference is over. We are working to build a network of creative-minded people that love rural America and what it stands for, and people that are willing to fight to keep it alive. We aim to give you something you can take home to your team, to help arm you with the tools to needed to create a growing and thriving modern business.Together we can make a difference!
It will change your perspective!
Is FARMCON for me?
FARMCON is for owners, founders, partners, and entrepreneurs that are willing and open minded enough to look at new ideas and new practices. It is not for everyone, though. It is not for those who want to be told what to do, or for those not open to change. If you are looking for someone to make you feel good about what you are currently doing or your current business practices, this is not your conference. This is for those individuals who can’t find people in their offices or back home that will challenge their perspectives or current beliefs. This is for the leaders, the movers, the shakers, the difference makers… Those who have always dared to see things differently. The ones who follow a vision. You value the things that actually matter – family & lifestyle. While others are distracted by the NEW changes, you focus on the significance and excitement of a whole new perspective. Together we can change things!
Relentless optimism is what has always moved our farming families forward. So here’s to those who keep seeing things differently and keep trusting that there is going to be another way. We simply want to help those who want to lead and see the reason to fight for rural America. You are the difference between the world of agriculture as it was and the better place it will be. You are the one that helps push the world forward. We need people like you, agriculture needs people like you, rural America needs people like you.
If you believe you are one of those men or women, we are honored to have you on our team and look forward to seeing you in Kansas City this January. Come ready to work and leave ready to make a difference!
The Main Event
Featured Speakers
Jim McKelvey,
In 2009, most American shoppers still purchased goods the way they had for decades–by swiping a credit card. A mere 11 years later, the number of available payment options has exploded: Consumers pay with chip cards, and wireless options like Apple Pay and Venmo have become a mainstay. And Square’s familiar plastic dongle has become ubiquitous–facilitating transactions everywhere from coffee shops to roadside vegetable stands. McKelvey is now estimated to be worth over +$4 Billion and is doing some great things with start-ups and other new ventures. In 2017, he was named an independent director of the Federal Reserve in St. Louis. He’s also the author of a book, The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time, where he shares the story of building Square and his philosophy for building disruptive companies.
Jason Brown,
Jason was once the highest-paid center in the NFL but now he spends his time farming and harvesting food to give to the hungry. After he graduated in 2005, he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. As a free agent in 2009, Jason signed a five-year contract with the St. Louis Rams for +$35 million. At the end of the contract, with several lucrative offers on the table from the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, and the San Francisco 49ers, Jason decided instead to take a leap of faith and walk away from the NFL. He purchased a farm and started planting crops to harvest and give to food pantries and churches. The farm has yielded over one million lbs of produce which has all been given away. Jason provides great inspiration and serves as an example of community service through agriculture.
Warren Rustand
Warren grew up on a small farm in Minnesota and went on to be an All-American basketball player at the University of Arizona. In 1973 he was selected as a White House Fellow and was soon appointed as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of Commerce where he co-led the first-ever Executive Level Trade Mission to the Soviet Union. Rustand then became Special Assistant to then-Vice President Gerald Ford. In 1974, when the Vice President became President, he asked Warren to serve as the Appointments Secretary and Cabinet Secretary to the President. Following his time in public service, Warren again entered the private sector as an entrepreneur. He subsequently was named CEO of ten companies and has been chairman of several others. He has served on the Board of Directors of fifty for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. For more than 30-years Warren lead a program that over six thousand CEOs participated in which included meetings with the President, Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries, Congressional leadership, members of the Supreme Court, and leading lobbyists. Warren was Global Chair of the World Presidents Organization and is the current Dean of Learning for the EO Global Leadership Academy. has been recognized with many honors and awards, among them: The Visionary Leadership Award, The Distinguished Citizens Award, The 25th Year Achievement Award, The Sports Hall of Fame, The Robbie Award, and Father of the Year Award.
Matthew Wadiak,
Matt is the founder and CEO of Cooks Venture. Prior to Cooks Venture, he founded and served as COO of Blue Apron, the trailblazing meal-kit company that reimagined the way food is produced, distributed, and prepared for home chefs. Matt developed and managed Blue Apron’s supply chain, led a team of over 5,000 manufacturing employees at six national centers, and built a network of over 250 farmers, ranchers, and agronomists. Matt’s goal is nothing short of building a food system for the future, changing industrial agriculture, and creating a regenerative system to reverse climate change while providing consumers with food choices that are exceptional in quality and taste. He serves on the board of Goodwill International, one of the largest NGO’s in the world, which works to educate and develop better employment around the country through a diversity of workforce development and social programs.
Kevin Van Trump, CEO
CEO, Farm Direction, Angel Investor, Trader, Corp. Coach, and author of The Van Trump Report. Helps investors and Ag professionals better execute by making more informed decisions.
Vern Harnish,
Verne received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an M.B.A. from Wichita State University. Vern now chairs the “Birthing of Giants” leadership program at the MIT and the MIT/WEO Advanced Business Program for entrepreneurs over 40. He has been called one of the “Top 10 Minds in Small Business” by Fortune Small Business and appeared on the magazine’s cover for its December/January 2002 issue. Harnish wrote a book titled, “Mastering the Rockefeller Habits” which is now considered a cult classic amongst top CEO’s and business owners. That was followed by a best-seller titled, “Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It… and Why the Rest Don’t”. This book and focuses on the major decisions that every company must get right; people, strategy, execution, and cash. For anyone who runs or invests in a company, especially one that is trying to grow, Vern is a must-hear!
Travis Potter,
As a curious farmer and founder of Tractor Beverage Company, Travis Potter has made it his mission to enhance the health and wellbeing of future generations with “better for you” beverages. Potter works towards achieving one goal — changing the world through simple ingredients that make a large impact. He travels around the globe seeking innovative ways to improve his products by immersing himself in various cultures and regions. Potter takes his knowledge back to the farm and continuously curates new, unique Tractor flavors that are 100% Certified Organic, non-GMO and entirely natural. Potter is also a father to eleven children who he’s raised to become successful entrepreneurs like himself. As a family, they strive to better the lives of others and create a chemical-free environment.
Guest Panelists
Soren Schroder,
Carter Williams, CEO
Gregg Doud
Andy Daniels, CEO
Lucy Stitzer
Steve Barr
Mary Shelman, Fmr.
Robert Nimocks III
Matt Crisp, CEO
Tom Willis, CEO
David Farley, CEO
Kellee James, CEO
Doug Roose, VP
Emily French, CEO
Grant Wells, CEO
Mike Mock, CEO
Mitch Eviston, CEO
Mitchell Hora, CEO
Greg Beck, SVP
Steve McKaskle
Carter Malloy, CEO
Rick Clark,
Chris Baumann
Robert Herrington,
Susan David
Attend The Event
FARMCON TWO DAY CONFERENCE
Founding Partners
#FARMCON2022
JANUARY 05-06 KANSAS CITY, MO
Copyright @2019 Farm Direction – All rights reserved.
TERMS
Take a moment to review the terms and conditions for this event.
- FULL REFUNDS will be given 90-days prior to the event.
- A 50% refund will be given for any reason between 31 and 90 days prior to the event.
- NO REFUNDS will be given within 30 days of the event unless the event is postponed due to circumstances beyond our control. It is extremely important that we commit by this date in order to bring reduced rates to our participants.
For questions or partnership opportunities,
Contact us here: Michelle@farmdirection.com
