Vonnie Estes

VP of Innovation, International Fresh Produce Association

Vonnie’s role as VP of Innovation at International Fresh Produce Association is to bring technology to the produce industry across the supply chain, bridging the gap between technology innovators and producers to identify and solve pressing needs. Her career has been driven by a passion for agriculture, technology, and sustainability. She has held leadership roles with some of the largest multinational organizations along with start-ups.

Vonnie is a sought-after voice in the ag industry, speaking and publishing frequently. She produces an insightful weekly Podcast “Fresh Takes on Tech” on technology and solutions in the Produce Industry and manages the Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator bringing new technologies into the industry.  She also chairs the Technology and CEA Councils for IFPA pulling the industry together on important topics to those sectors. She sits on three start-up company board of directors (Creatus Bio, Kula Bio and Stony Creek Colors) in addition to advisory and government boards.

Vonnie earned a bachelor of science degree in horticulture from New Mexico State University and a master of science degree in plant pathology from University of California, Davis. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization awarded her with the fourth annual Rosalind Franklin Award for Leadership in Industrial Biotechnology in 2017, an award recognizing women who make lasting contributions in the field of biotechnology.

As Portfolio Leader, Carbon and Ecosystems Services Portfolio at Corteva Agriscience, Ben Gordon is responsible for developing holistic solutions to reward farmers for sustainable outcomes and drive farm profitability.

Prior to this leadership role, Ben had been with Granular, a wholly owned subsidiary of Corteva Agriscience, for three years working in corporate development and product management. Before joining Granular, he worked in management consulting and served as an Infantry Officer in the Army National Guard. Ben grew up in North Dakota surrounded by agriculture and earned his MBA from the University of Minnesota. Ben currently lives in San Francisco and enjoys backpacking in the mountains and spending time back in the Midwest with friends and family.

Jay Myers

United Soybean Board

Jay Myers farms soybean and corn seed and wheat on his farm in Colfax, North Dakota, and is serving his seventh year on the United Soybean Board. He also provides agronomy services outside of farming. In addition, Myers is involved in the North Dakota Soybean Council, North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, Richland County Crop Improvement Board and is a board member of the new North Dakota soybean processors plant and biodiesel refinery. Myers believes increasing the value of soybeans is an issue facing our industry and that keeping up with supply and demand is an opportunity.

Seth Crawford

Vice President Fuse Connected Services and Technology

AGCO

Seth Crawford is responsible for integrating and deploying technology across AGCO’s portfolio of products. This includes Fuse, which acts as the company’s global hub for smart farming innovation, with a goal of delivering farm profitability improvement of 20% over the next five years by focusing on both yield improvements and cost reductions. Crawford also leads a global team responsible for future development and marketing of precision farming solutions, which includes implementing fleet and farm services by leveraging key partners.

AJ Nolin

Product Support Specialist

DOT Technologies

AJ Nolin works within the Autonomous Farm Solutions division of DOT Technologies, helping producers adopt robotics to their operations. A graduate of the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan, Nolin uses his thorough understanding of performance-driven training to educate customers, stakeholders, and regulators about the power that autonomous farming offers. Specializing in commercialization and working with several startups has given him an acute business sense regarding operations management, commercialization, and process efficiency.

Ryan Molitor

Director of Sales and Marketing

Raven Industries

Ryan Molitor is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Raven Industries, headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD. He has a strong background in agricultural technologies, strategic planning, customer service and dealer development. In fifteen years at Raven Industries in Sioux Falls, Ryan has served in various roles that have helped him understand ag technologies and the customers who use them. In his current role, he is able to display his passion for helping growers and custom operators learn and benefit from adopting more technologies in their operations by working closely with customers at tradeshows, trainings and other events all over the globe.

Jake Joraanstad

CEO

Bushel

Jake Joraanstad is the co-founder and CEO of Bushel, an independently owned and operated software company headquartered in Fargo, N.D. Since launching in 2017, Bushel’s software has powered 1,200+ grain facilities across the U.S. and Canada with real-time business information for their producers. Bushel is focused on bringing innovative software products and solutions to the agriculture value chain.

Jake is heavily involved in the entrepreneurial community. He is a co-founder of Emerging Prairie and enjoys helping with local startup events including Startup Weekend Fargo and 1 Million Cups Fargo. You can follow Jake on Twitter at @jakefromfargo

David Frabotta

Editorial Market Development Director

Meister Media Worldwide

David Frabotta is Editorial Market Development Director for Meister Media Worldwide’s Global Precision Initiative and AgriBusiness Global. He is an award-winning journalist and has worked in agriculture and agronomy for 12+ years. He has developed conferences and exhibitions that advocate and advance crop production technologies throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas and continues to scour the globe for agriculture trends and insights. Contact him any time to discuss new technologies and adoption trends in your region at [email protected].

Rod Snyder

President

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture

Rod Snyder leads Field to Market, a diverse alliance working to create opportunities across the agricultural supply chain in the U.S. for continuous improvements in productivity, environmental quality, and human well-being. In 2015 he co-founded the Sustainable Agriculture Summit, which has grown to be the largest and most prominent annual sustainable agriculture conference in North America. His prior positions include Public Policy Director for the National Corn Growers Association and Government Affairs Leader for CropLife America.

Cory Beaujot

Managing Director of Marketing and Communications

Dot Technology Corp.

Cory Beaujot is responsible for marketing and strategic growth initiatives for Dot Technology Corp. and SeedMaster Mfg. In late 2017 he brought to market the DOT power platform, an autonomous farming apparatus designed to operate in conjunction with a variety of farm implements including seeders, rollers, sprayers, and grain carts. He has nearly two decades of experience in the agricultural business sector, growing his family’s businesses through strategic marketing, sales, and business development initiatives.