MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT |
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Keith Dickinson, CFP®, CAC, RICP |
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As I begin my term as 2023-24 President of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC), I cannot help but start with a pause to reflect on the historical milestone that the Society has just completed. We celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of ASAC with our Annual Conference, which was held in Fresno, California, as a commemoration of the location where ASAC was founded in 1963. As a lover of history, I have enjoyed learning more about the history of our Society and encourage all members to read through the brief recap found on the ASAC website.
As much as I love history, I recognize how critical it is for any organization to consistently and persistently look to the future. I want to commend our outgoing President, Pete Weisenberger, for his passion for growing the Society’s membership roles during his term. We have added several new members in the past year. However, the job is not over. We must continue to seek to grow as a Society, both in number and in the diversity of our membership base. Agriculture is an increasingly diverse industry, in terms of who is participating in the industry, and in the types of information and technology that is necessary to remain competitive. Let’s keep up the momentum from the past year and continue to strive to add to the base.
I encourage members to get the full value for your membership. - Attend an annual conference. Our Meeting Committee Chair David Mielnicki is planning for a great meeting on November 3-5, 2024 in Ft. Myers, Florida. Go ahead and mark your calendars.
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Participate in the educational webinars and Shop Talk roundtable discussions that our Continuing Education Committee hosts throughout the year. Those roundtable discussions are strongest when we have a good representation of the diverse backgrounds and ideas that our members represent.
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Get certified as a Certified Agricultural Consultant (CAC). It’s part of the ASAC brand and it’s a way to show that you are an Agricultural Consultant who is committed to the delivery of high quality consulting services with a focus on the best interests of your client.
- Get involved in a committee. I don’t ask that you commit to more than one, but I do ask that you commit to at least one. A heavy load is lighter with many hands.
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Recruit! We all encounter potential new or returning members on a regular basis in our line of work.
A critical piece of the effectiveness for ASAC as an organization is our committee structure. Our committees perform a significant amount of the important tasks of the society throughout the year. The best way that each of our members can help make our Society as strong as possible is to volunteer to serve on one of our committees. We have a tremendous amount of talent and expertise amongst our members. Please consider joining one or more of our committees today! The committees of the Society are: Membership Development Ethics and Grievance Finance Continuing Education By-Laws Annual Meeting Marketing and Promotion Accreditation (CAC) Strategic Alliance Nominating
Descriptions of our Committees can be found in the ASAC bylaws here: https://www.agconsultants.org/docs/Society_B-Laws_Updated_and_Signed_10.2022.pdf
If you are interested in joining one or more of our committees, please contact Jean Merry at EVP@agconsultants.org. Keith Dickinson
President |
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING NOTES, NOVEMBER 5, 2023 |
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New Business - Pete Weisenberger, Board Chair
Discussion of the number of members and potential members who were in attendance at Dick Wittman’s event, which immediately preceded the ASAC Conference. Prospects were invited to the Sunday evening Opening Reception. Pete also reported on his 20-minute radio interview with Don York. Financial Report – Russell Morgan, CFO An overview was provided of the report which will be finalized and presented at the Annual Business Meeting on November 7. Meetings Committee - Keith Dickinson, Chair
Good attendance for the conference, best since COVID, including 9 new members. Things are off to a good start. Reminder of next year’s Annual Conference in Fort Myers November 3-5, 2024. Continuing Education Committee - Russell Morgan, Chair
Getting good feedback on “Notes from the Field.” The plan going forward is to have a webinar every month, alternating between ASAC original programming and collaborative programming with such organizations as ASFMRA, NALC, etc. The December webinar details for “Farm Tax Update” with Paul Neiffer are being finalized. Shop Talk will continue monthly assuming the availability of topics and ASAC members to chair the discussions. A Shop Talk is being set up for mid-December. There are plans for new CAC courses in 2024. A new chair will be needed for this committee. Considering the demands of this committee, it was recommended that co-chairs be considered.
Marketing & Promotion Committee - Paige Gilligan, Chair A summary of promotional items available for conference attendees was given. The full report for the committee will be presented at the Annual Business Meeting. Accreditation Committee – Bill Zweigbaum, Chair CAC notice for submitting CEUs for 2023 will go out as soon as the Certificates of Attendance for the conference are sent. Clarification of certification process and working with the CEC. Seeing interest from new members. Need to continue to promote the CAC.
Strategic Alliance Committee – Norm Brown, Committee Chair Early results were presented for the weighted spreadsheet for potential alliance partners. The committee will be looking for additional input from ASAC members as the current numbers reflect the ratings of just four committee members. Next Board of Directors Meeting - December 19 - 11 a.m. CST (open to all members to listen in): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88044006784?pwd=SjJFR1Z3MkowSnR2TGVyNE1aazE1Zz09 Annual Business Meeting - November 7, 2023 - Fresno, California All members are invited to view the Annual Business Meeting at: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/H4haj43reNJU7BknJSpkDW? |
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2023 ASAC Lifetime Achievement & Above and Beyond Awards Presented
ASAC recognized two of its deserving members at the November 6 banquet at the 2023 Annual Conference in Fresno, California.
John Jackson, CAC, an active member for more than 40 years and attending his forty-first consecutive Annual Conference, was presented with the ASAC Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes a longtime member of the organization who has provided significant contributions to the organization as well as to the agricultural industry.
Jackson (right), receiving his plaque from incoming President Keith Dickinson, CAC, is the principal of the Agricultural Management Group, Inc. (AMG) in Great Bend, Kansas. Sam Bartee, the 2021 recipient of the award, sent his congratulations to be read that evening, which encapsulated Jackson’s contributions.
To glean and learn "nuggets of wisdom" from John as he shared his days of being in the Peace Corps [and] the early consulting ventures both domestic and internationally, was invaluable! So, John, I provide a "tip of the hat" to your many years of attending ASAC meetings and providing your insights on leadership and guidance for the betterment of ASAC. … You certainly have earned this distinction from your peers and countless friends in all parts of the world.
The second award, The Roy & Jill Ferguson Above and Beyond Award, was presented to the outgoing president, Pete Weisenberger (left), Weisenberger Agricultural Services, LLC, in Tyler, Texas. The award is presented to a member who has made a significant contribution to the organization in the previous year and is named for the Fergusons in honor of their tireless efforts in support of ASAC. In presenting the plaque, Dickinson noted that, in addition to his outstanding job as president, ASAC witnessed an unprecedented increase in new member applications and approvals in 2023 due to Weisenberger’s “beating of the recruitment drum.” He stated that, “During Pete’s tenure, there have been 19 new members added to our rolls; the largest number any current member can recall for a calendar year.”
The group’s 2024 annual meeting is scheduled to be held in Fort Myers, Fla., November 3 through 5. |
| (Top) Keith Dickinson congratulates John Jackson
(Bottom) Dickinson presents plaque to Pete Weisenberger |
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ASAC Marketing & Promo Committee
12/08/2023 |
ASAC Strategic Alliance Committee
12/11/2023 |
| ASAC Monthly Board Meeting
12/19/2023 |
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KEEP UP WITH THE ASAC BLOG |
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IB'S INSIGHTFUL INTROSPECTIONS |
Ib Hagsten was a longtime member of ASAC who left a lasting legacy with our organization. It is impossible to replicate Ib's wit and down-to-earth observations. In his honor, we offer these words of wisdom... A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything. Irish Proverb All you need is a love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. Charles Schulz The smile on my face doesn't mean my life is perfect. It means I appreciate what I have and what I have been blessed with. I choose to be happy. daveswordsofwisdom.com |
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President
Keith Dickinson, CAC |
| President-Elect Dave Mielnicki, ARA |
| Vice President & Secretary Abigail Majerus |
| Chief Financial Officer Russell Morgan, CAC |
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| Immediate Past President Pete Weisenberger |
| Executive Director Jean L Merry |
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Eastern Director Ethan Robertson, CAC |
| Western Director Ron Rabou |
| Northern Director Don Tyler |
| Southern Director Scott Mickey |
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