The University of Tennessee at Martin will host the 27th annual Mid-South Ag Finance Conference, a signature event focused on delivering practical financial strategies and timely economic insights to the agricultural community.
The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 13, in Watkins Auditorium in the Boling University Center on the campus of UT Martin. Those wanting to attend should register at www.utm.edu/agconference.
The conference is sponsored by the Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking and the Gilbert Parker Chair of Excellence in Food and Fiber.
Dedicated to enhancing financial decision-making across the agricultural sector, the conference equips producers, lenders and agribusiness professionals with tools to optimize profitability and manage risk in an evolving economic environment.
Each year, the event attracts about 350 participants, including agricultural lenders, producers, industry leaders, UT Martin representatives and students.
The 2025 program features a lineup of nationally recognized experts in agricultural finance, economics and meteorology.
Returning as keynote speaker is Dr. Dave Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech University, who has spoken at all 26 previous conferences. His presentation, titled “Managing through Economic Chaos,” will address current market conditions and strategies for resilience in uncertain times.
Additional speakers include Eric Snodgrass, principal atmospheric scientist with Nutrien Ag Solutions, and Scott Sartor, founder and chief executive officer of Croptell. Their presentations will examine the intersection of weather, climate risk and data-driven decision-making in agriculture.
New to this year’s event is a Producer Panel sponsored by the Tennessee Farm Bureau Tax Service. The panel will be moderated by Eric Mayberry, president of the Tennessee Farm Bureau, and includes producers Eric Maupin of Newbern, Ben Moore of Dresden and Charlie Roberts of Halls.
This panel of experienced agricultural producers will offer valuable insights and practical guidance designed to enhance farm operations, family-run businesses and personal financial management.
Designed to foster an environment of engagement and shared learning, the conference is open to a wide range of agricultural stakeholders, from farmers and agribusiness owners to students preparing for careers in agriculture.
Attendees will gain exposure to the challenges and opportunities facing modern agriculture, along with practical tools for navigating the road ahead.
For more information about the Mid-South Ag Finance Conference, visit www.utm.edu/agconference.
PHOTO: Dr. Dave Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech University, is shown speaking at the 2023 Mid-South Ag Finance Conference in Watkins Auditorium on the UT Martin campus. He will be the keynote speaker at this year’s conference, set for Wednesday, Aug. 13.
