Feeding the Future: The Importance of Supporting Ag’s Next Generation

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Young dairy farmer

This article was contributed by Farm Credit to NIAA’s member-only newsletter, Paradigm, in May 2025. 

It’s hard to discuss agriculture without using the word “generation.” Whether describing a fourth-generation row crop operation or a first-generation cattle producer, the term reflects those deep ties between people, land and the animals that sustain us.

Perhaps the most important iteration of the word, however, is the next generation — the young producers we rely on to pick up the mantle of feeding their families and communities. This could mean keeping a storied family operation humming along for another few decades. It could also mean taking the leap to purchase those first few acres of land.

This is an enormous—and vital—responsibility in an aging industry. As of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, only 9% of farmers are under 35 years old, amounting to just 296,480 producers across the nation. Over 40% of American farmers are 65 and older, with an average age of 58.

Farm Credit recognizes the critical importance of agriculture’s next generation — and that we must ensure young and beginning producers have the resources, capital, and support they need to sustain their operation, whether it’s first-generation or multi-generational. From personalized financing options to leadership development for beginning farmers, supporting agricultures’ next generation embodies Farm Credit’s mission.

Each Farm Credit institution across the nation offers specialized resources and services tailored to support the success of its young and beginning producers, including educational programming, mentorship opportunities, financial counseling, and grants and scholarships. Additionally, Farm Credit partners with several elite organizations focused on providing training and resources for young and beginning farmers. Farm Credit is proud to partner with the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) as a sponsor of their preeminent leadership program, Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders.

 This 16-month program, currently in its fourth cohort, is a world-class leadership and experiential learning opportunity for leaders in animal agriculture, empowering them to bring positive transformation to the industry. Each cohort’s twenty individuals complete a rigorous curriculum tailored to the goals of the group, built into sessions that focus on developing critical thinking, leadership, connectivity within the industry and operational excellence. Session sponsors also engage with participants and assist with curriculum content, further enhancing the quality of programming and networking opportunities.

At the end of the program, cohorts apply their curriculum and developed skills to a final capstone project, which is shared at the NIAA Annual Conference. Ultimately, each individual departs the program equipped with a more dynamic understanding of the animal agriculture industry and advanced skills to lead its next generation.

An investment in the next generation of agriculture is an investment in the future of the U.S. We must continue to uphold and support programs, including Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders, that support the strength and development of those interested in agriculture. When young producers are equipped with the right resources, it’s not just their operation that emerges stronger — it’s our nation.

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Read more about the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders here and here.

Cohort 4 of NIAA’s Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders explore ag tech in Lincoln

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The fourth Cohort of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s (NIAA) Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders met for their third in-person leadership training session in Lincoln, Nebraska from July 15-18, 2025. 

During their time in the Lincoln area, the leaders learned from: 

  • Attending and participating in the AgTech Connect event on UNL’s Innovation Campus – Cohort members spent time connecting with Midwest Ag Tech leaders and learning more about where Ag is headed in the future. 
  • Spent day 2 meeting with startup leaders discussing up and coming technology, startup success from idea to a product going to market, and leadership skills needed to start up an organization (EmGenisys – Dr. Cara Wells; Birds Eye Robotics – Dusty Reynolds; ALA Engineering – Jacob Hansen; Marble Technologies – Britany Wondercheck). 
  • Engaged in discussion with Jill O’Donnell and her team from The Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance discussing the current landscape of international trade and tariffs and what that looks like for the future of Animal Agriculture.  
  • Participated in a strengths session focused on using our individual strengths to be a forward focused leader. (J.J. Jones) 
  • We spent Friday with Andrew Uden (Herddogg) at the UNL research yards discussing the use of their tags and learning about ongoing research projects from the lead researchers there.  

The Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture receives support from Farm Credit and this session was made possible with planning and hosting support from The Combine and NIAA board member, Jared Wareham.  

The fourth Cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders represents a wide range of agricultural sectors to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. Participants include : 

  • Melissa Davis, Where Food Comes From 
  • Amber DeWitt, Fulcrum Global Capital 
  • Alexandra Eckhoff, New Mexico Livestock Board 
  • Haley Grimes, American Humane 
  • Meggan Hain, NMPF
  • Ben Hopkins, DSM-Firmenich 
  • Nicki Humphrey, California Department of Food and Agriculture 
  • Darrin Karcher, Perdue University 
  • Hollie Kremer, Cooper Farms 
  • Sarah Metzler, Cattleman’s Beef Board, Beef Checkoff 
  • Claire Mulligan, ABS Global 
  • Elena Myhre, International Poultry Welfare Alliance/US-Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs 
  • Brittany Shonka-Martin, ABS Global 
  • Ryan Sorensen, United Producers, Inc. 
  • Charlotte Talbott, Rabobank 

See photos from the leadership session, below.

 

To learn more about the program, how to support up-and-coming leaders, or how to participate in the next cohort, visit https://www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/ for more information and email Jessie Wadle at Jessie.Wadle@animalagriculture.org. 

 

Cohort 3 Leaders Tour Denver Agriculture Institutions

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NIAA’s Lameness Across Species Roundtable Will Address Health Problems Faced in Animal Agriculture

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Animal health experts from all food-animal species will collectively confront lameness issues in animal agriculture prior to IPPE in Atlanta, GA.

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture will host animal agriculture leaders will discuss the current state of research and treatment for lameness across food animal species before the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Georgia, January 27-28. Registration for the Roundtable will include a complementary code to attend IPPE.

NIAA’s Animal Disease Issues & Emergency Management Council will lead the inaugural roundtable discussion to explore current knowledge and research regarding causes, prevention methods, and treatments for bone health and lameness disease(s) in food animal species – livestock and poultry. Lameness is a problem affecting all species of animal agriculture. One of NIAA’s guiding principles is to convene leading experts to deliver science-based, reliable and trusted perspectives on the industry’s most challenging topics. By convening leaders from across species, animal agriculture will collectively find solutions that may be applied across the industry.

The speakers for the roundtable with expertise in lameness and related diseases will include:

  • Kate Weathers Barger, KB Animal Welfare Consulting
  • Scott Crain, VeriPrime
  • Meredyth Jones, Oklahoma State University
  • Jan Shearer, Iowa State University
  • Meghann K. Pierdon, University of Pennsylvania
  • Adnan Alrubaye, University of Arkansas
  • Bruno Menarim, Gluck Equine Research Center
  • Jennifer Wilson-Welder, National Animal Disease Center – USDA-ARS
  • Doug Ensley, Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Lucas Pantaleon, NIAA Council Co-Chair
  • Adnan Alrubaye, University of Arkansas
  • Kaitlyn Briggs, FairLife

“We are looking forward to a great, collaborative discussion about the issues each species experience and how animal agriculture leaders can collectively address the problems,” said Council co-chair, Dr. Lucas Pantaleon. Outputs from the roundtable will include a white paper along with the next steps – plans to address bone health and lameness.

To learn more about the roundtable and speakers, please visit NIAA’s website, www.AnimalAgriculture.org. Registration fees are $200 for NIAA members and $250 for non-members and will include a complementary code to attend IPPE. For assistance with media registration, please contact Morgan Young, Director of Communications and Outreach for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture at morgan.young@animalagriculture.org.

Meet the two new Antibiotics Council co-chairs

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The National Institute of Animal Agriculture recently welcomed two new co-chairs to the Antibiotics Council: Dr. Heather Fowler from the National Pork Board and Dr. Alexandra Medley from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Photo of Alexandra Medley and Heather Fowler

Since NIAA’s inception in 1916, its mission has been to convene leaders regarding important and developing topics. Councils were developed to collaborate, learn, and discuss current and emerging topics to provide platforms to exchange scientific information, find common ground, and seek resolutions across species segments. Participation in NIAA’s Councils is open to animal agriculture stakeholders. The purpose of the Antibiotics Council is to seek to enhance an animal agriculture industry that is aligned with judicious antibiotic use policies and practices.

Dr. Heather Fowler is the Director of Producer and Public Health at the National Pork Board where she oversees public health as well as occupational safety and health issues as they relate to swine production in the United States. She completed her Veterinary Medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010, a Master in Public Health in Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health in 2011, and a PhD in Environmental and Occupational Hygiene from the University of Washington School of Public Health in 2017. She is board certified in veterinary preventive medicine and has expertise in the areas of zoonotic disease, public health, worker safety and health, and One Health application.

Dr. Alexandra Medley is a veterinary epidemiologist currently serving as the Associate Director for Antimicrobial Resistance within the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She received both her Master in Public Health and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University and her Bachelor of Music from Oberlin College.

The Antibiotics Council also hosts annual Antibiotics Symposium. Co-chairs have selected the planning committee and are currently planning 14th Annual Antibiotics Symposium in Denver, Colorado from November 19-21, 2024. Symposium topics will include an industry report on the current state of antibiotic stewardship, information on the latest antimicrobial stewardship and resistance research, regulatory updates, One Health collaborations, and more.

To register for the 14th Annual Antibiotics Symposium please visit www.AnimalAgriculture.org. For assistance with media registration, please contact Morgan Young, Director of Communications and Outreach for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture at morgan.young@animalagriculture.org.

Cohort Two Tours Portland’s Agriculture Space

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The second cohort of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s (NIAA) Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders participated in their second in-person leadership training session in Portland, OR.

 

In January, NIAA announced the second cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders. This leadership training course is sponsored by the United Soybean Board and was created by NIAA to empower animal agriculture professionals to strengthen previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry.

During their time in Portland, Cohort 2 participants visited Beef Northwest Feeders, Threemile Canyon Farms, Olympia Provisions, and the Port of Portland Grain Terminal.

Beef Northwest Feeders
Beef Northwest began in the 1870’s as Wilson Cattle Company and has developed into a people-focused company where they care for cattle and produce healthy beef for consumers while supporting our customers and playing a role in economic sustainability in agriculture.

 

 

Threemile Canyon Farms
Threemile Canyon Farms started farming in 1999 with the intent to make it a special place that demonstrates our respect for our people, community, and natural resources. They were the 2020 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards recipient for Outstanding Dairy Sustainability.

Olympia Provisions
Olympia Provisions is an American meat and restaurant company that produces artisan charcuterie based out of Portland, Oregon. Their mission is to redefine American charcuterie and developing a Pacific Northwest, small family Farmer Network so we can consistently source regenerative, humanely-raised pork.

Port of Portland Grain Terminal.
At the port of Portland, at Terminal 5 you’ll find 159 acres of a rapid-handling grain elevator and potash exporting facility. On average, 2-4 million tons of grain is shipped through Portland annually.

 

After the tours, cohort members took the opportunity to work on their small-group leadership capstone project that will be presented at Annual Conference in April 2024.

 

The second cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders represents a range of agricultural sectors to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. Participants include Tressa Lacy, TransOva Genetics; Jared Bramer, Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health – North America; Amanda Butterfield, North American Meat Institute; TJ Flax, DTN; Trisha Klement, Vitek Lange PLLC; Phillip Lancaster, Kansas State University; Miriam Martin, North American Meat Institute; Chandler Mulvaney, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; Jake Renner, American Gelbvieh Association; Jennette Rietcheck, Norbrook; Kayla Rink, Dairy Farmers of America; Grant Sardella, ABS Global; Jennifer Schmitt, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota; Austin Snook, Merck Animal Health; Sarah Thomas, The Ohio State University; Brandon Treichler, Treichler Consulting Services; Stephanie Ward, NC State University; Jonathan White, United Producers; Tim Bardole, United Soybean Board; and Shannon Ellis, United Soybean Board.

Learn more about the leadership program by visiting https://www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/.

 

2023 Annual Conference: Climate-Smart Animal Agriculture Recap

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Last week the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) welcomed members and guests to Kansas City for the 2023 Annual Conference: Climate-Smart Animal Agriculture. More than 140 guests joined the conference and receptions to connect with fellow animal agriculture leaders to explore, discuss, and develop solutions that encourage continuous improvement in animal agriculture.

NIAA’s Annual Conference featured dynamic speakers that discussed the current state of climate-smart initiatives and collaboration across the agriculture industry.

The speaker and panelist list included:

  • Joe Leathers – 6666 Ranch
  • Anne-Marie Roerink – 210 Analytics
  • Amy Skoczlas Cole – Farm Journal’s Trust in Food
  • Hansel New – Dairy Farmers of America
  • Kirsten Nickles – Certified Angus Beef
  • Billy Gascoigne –Ducks Unlimited
  • Burke Griggs – Washburn University, School of Law
  • Paul Hishmeh – Field to Market

“We’ve received great feedback from attendees saying there wasn’t a session where they didn’t learn something worth taking back to the workplace,” said J.J. Jones, Executive Director of NIAA. “We’re already in the planning stage for next year and look forward to seeing our members and guests at the 13th Annual Antibiotics Symposium in Atlanta, GA in November.”

Animal agriculture benefits from those who consistently go above and beyond for the industry and each year at Annual Conference, NIAA recognizes those outstanding professionals. The Chairman’s and President’s Awards recognize animal agriculture leaders who have been especially supportive, inspiring, and trusted by leaders within NIAA and have contributed significantly to its success. For more than a decade, NIAA has honored leaders in animal agriculture who engage with all angles of the value chain, from gate to plate. These Animal Agriculture Advocates use their voice and platforms to push animal agriculture forward. The longest standing award – first presented in 1965, is the Meritorious Service Award. This award is presented to animal agriculture leaders who have invested their career to advancing our sector.

The 2023 honorees include:
Chairman’s Award:
Dr. Megin Nichols; Deputy Division Director for the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

President’s Award:
Jared Wareham; North American NuEra Business Development Manager at ABS Global

Advocates for Animal Agriculture Award:
Ryan Goodman; Director of Communications and Community Engagement at Certified Angus Beef
Dr. Tera Barnhardt; Consulting Veterinarian and Owner of Animal Welfare Consulting & Research

Meritorious Service Award:
Dr. Lanny Pace; Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine

2023 honorees

During Annual Conference, NIAA recognized outgoing leadership and confirmed new board members during the annual membership meeting. NIAA thanks the retiring board members for their service:

  • Dr. Leonard Bull – retired professor at NC State University
  • Dr. Lucas Pantaleon – Ogena Solutions/Pantaleon PLLC
  • Dr. Lanny Pace – Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at Mississippi State University School of Veterinary Medicine

Retiring Board Members

NIAA welcomes the following new board members:

  • Adam Brock – Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
  • Dr. Kaitlyn Briggs – Dairy Management Inc.
  • Dr. Megin Nichols – Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
  • Dr. Tera Barnhardt – Animal Welfare Consulting & ResearchNew board members

To learn more about the award honorees, board members, or to access media passes to the 13th Annual Antibiotics Symposium in November, please visit www.AnimalAgriculture.org or contact Morgan Young, Director of Communications and Outreach for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture at morgan.young@animalagriculture.org.

NIAA’s Animal Agriculture Leaders Kick Off Cohort 2

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The second cohort of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s (NIAA) Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders completed their first in-person leadership training session in Kansas City, Missouri.

In January, NIAA announced the second cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders. This leadership training course is sponsored by the United Soybean Board and was created by NIAA to empower animal agriculture professionals to strengthen previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry.

During their time in Kansas City, Cohort participants met with Kansas City-based leaders in multiple sessions:

Innovation & Investment in Animal Agriculture

 

Federal Courthouse Tour
This visit outlined the role of the Courts and insights into food and agriculture from a legal perspective.


Building on our Traditions
Celebrating agriculture’s history as a foundation for our future.

  • Kerryann Kocher, CEO of Vytelle
  • Eric Moore, Director of Technical Services – North America at Noorbrook, Inc. and NIAA Chairman of the board
  • Jared Wareham, North America NuEra Business Development Manager at Genus ABS

The second day of the training focused on strengths-based leadership development.

“Our first training session was extremely valuable. The time we spent collaborating and learning from our peers, understanding our personal strengths, and learning more about the rich agricultural history Kansas City boasts, gave us all excitement and anticipation for what’s still to come over the next 16 months.” said Kayla Rink, Senior Manager, Dairy Science and Farm Practices at Dairy Farmers of America and cohort member.

The second cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders represents a range of agricultural sectors to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. Participants include Tressa Lacy, TransOva Genetics; Jared Bramer, Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health – North America; Amanda Butterfield, North American Meat Institute; TJ Flax, Dexer; Trisha Klement, Datamars Livestock; Phillip Lancaster, Kansas State University; Miriam Martin, North American Meat Institute; Chandler Mulvaney, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; Jake Renner, American Gelbvieh Association; Jennette Rietcheck, Norbrook; Kayla Rink, Dairy Farmers of America; Grant Sardella, ABS Global; Jennifer Schmitt, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota; Austin Snook, Merck Animal Health; Sarah Thomas, The Ohio State University; Brandon Treichler, Treichler Consulting Services; Stephanie Ward, NC State University; Jonathan White, United Producers NC; Tim Bardole, United Soybean Board; and Shannon Ellis, United Soybean Board.

Learn more about the leadership program, its sponsors, and see pictures of Cohort 2’s visit to Kansas City, visit https://www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/.

National Institute for Animal Agriculture to Host Equine Industry Leaders

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Equine leaders will discuss the importance and sustainability of the working ranch horse at NIAA’s Annual Conference in April.

 

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) will welcome an in-depth discussion during the council meeting for the reestablished Equine Working Group regarding the sustainability of the working ranch horse and the significant investment required to have these animals on the ranch.

Supply chain bottlenecks and downed manufacturing plants during the early days of Covid-19 have led to significant price increases for on-farm machinery and the investment costs for the working ranch horse has steadily followed the machinery trends.

“Anyone who has worked on a large ranch or feedlot knows the importance of having a well-trained horse to move and work the cattle,” said Jared Wareham, NuEra Business Development Manager for Genus/ABS Global who also serves as NIAA board member and on the annual conference planning committee. “Various factors are leading to the increased cost of investment, and it is starting to price the animal out of reach for smaller farms and ranches.”

Tyson Johnson, Sooner Cattle Company will moderate the Council panel on April 20. Panelists include Jed Roark, O RO Ranch; Turner Armitage, A Bar Ranch and AQHA Ranching Committee Chair; and Shawn Tiffany, Tiffany Cattle Co. Additionally, Joe Leathers, general manager of the 6666 Ranch of Yellowstone fame will serve as the opening keynote on the second day of Annual Conference. Leathers has been with the Guthrie, Texas ranch for more than two decades. His keynote will discuss the significance of the ranch horse and how important they are to the success of each ranch.

Join our equine and fellow animal agriculture leaders at NIAA’s Annual Conference to learn more about Climate-Smart Animal Agriculture. Receive the extended early bird registration rate by using the code HORSE23 at checkout. For more information about the 2023 Annual Conference, visit AnimalAgriculture.org. For registration questions or to receive a media pass, please contact Morgan Young, Director of Communications and Outreach for NIAA at morgan.young@animalagriculture.org

 

Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders in Cohort 2 take over Kansas City at first session

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The second Cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders met in Kansas City for their first session, January 24-25, 2023.

Matt Musselman with Dairy Farmers of America shares about the DFA’s CoLab Accelerator while the Cohort explores innovation and investment in animal agriculture.

 


During the Cohort’s time in the KC Animal Health Corridor offices, Cohort leaders also engaged with Kimberly Young and Emily McVey – KC Animal Health Corridor, Duane Cantrell – Fulcrum Global Capital, and Kevin Heikes – Intent Ag.

 

Cohort Leaders also engaged in conversations on regulatory and legal issues affecting animal agriculture. The Cohort was hosted by the Honorable Stephen R. Bough – District Judge for the Western District of Missouri. In addition to hearing from Judge Bough, Cohort leaders learned from attorneys Robert Thompson – Partner at Bryan Cave, and David Erickson – Partner at Shook Hardy Bacon.

The day wrapped up with dinner at the Golden Ox in the historic Kansas City Livestock Exchange Building with KC-area NIAA board members and guest speaker, Kerryann Kocher – CEO of Vytelle. Kerryann inspired Cohort Leaders to Compare & Contrast as they lead animal agriculture into its next 100 years to ensure meat and milk are viable, competitive food choices for future generations.

Cohort 2 and Kerryann pose in front of the original pricing boards in the Kansas City Livestock Exchange.

The second day worked on learning more about their leadership strengths and building a community within the cohort.

 

The evening was spent at a collaborative cooking experience with Chef Raven Naramore at Olive Tree. The cohort shared in camaraderie while making their meal and discussed with the chef factors that influence her choices in incorporating animal protein in menus.