MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Keith Dickinson, CFP®,  CAC, RICP

With the new year naturally comes thoughts of renewal and looking ahead. I am excited about what ASAC has ahead of it in the coming year. Here are a few items for consideration….
 
•    The website subcommittee is hard at work with our provider on building some enhancements into our ASAC website. The updated site will be more functional and attractive to new and repeat visitors.

•    I am happy to say that ASAC's Scott Mickey has taken on the role of chairperson of the Continuing Education committee. Scott brings several years of experience in higher education to the committee, which will help him continue the committee's good work. I thank Russell Morgan for his leadership of this committee for the past several years. ASAC offers some excellent professional improvement opportunities for our members on a regular basis. I encourage you to get involved personally by attending one of our webinars or ‘Shop Talk’ roundtable discussions. 

•    The 2024 Annual Meeting planning has begun under President Elect Dave Mielnicki’s guidance. If you haven’t done so already, please mark your calendar for this year’s meeting to be held November 3-5 in Fort Myers, Florida. Are you interested in sharing a presentation at the conference or have a suggestion for a presenter or topic? Reach out to Dave with your suggestions: David.Mielnicki@nmrk.com.

•    January – March is meeting season in the agricultural industry (or at least that’s the way it works here in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast). I will be attending several meetings in my home region, some as a presenter, others as an attendee. These meetings can be a great opportunity to connect with current or potential new clients. They can also be good opportunities to connect with your peers in the agricultural consulting realm. Be sure to mention ASAC to others in the ag consulting world in your travels and encourage them to join. We all know the value of ‘word of mouth’ advertising. Do your part in growing our organization by spreading the word. For those who attended the 2023 Annual Meeting in Fresno, you received some ASAC business cards to share with potential members. If you did not attend and/or did and require more, contact Jean Merry to restock – evp@agconsultants.org.

•    Sponsorship opportunities: Are you or your organization interested in supporting ASAC as a sponsor? Do you know of an agricultural organization that might be interested in sponsoring ASAC? We have multiple opportunities for organizations to be recognized as sponsors. Please reach out to either me (president@agconsultants.org) or CFO Russell Morgan (cfo@agconsultants.org) to discuss.
 

Standing Committees:

Membership – Ron Rabou - raboufarms@gmail.com

Nominating – Pete Weisenberger - pete.weis0956@gmail.com

By-Laws – Dave Mielnicki - david.mielnicki@nmrk.com

Ethics and Grievance – Ethan Robertson - ethan.robertson@farmcrediteast.com

Continuing Education – Scott Mickey - smickey@clemson.edu

Annual Meeting – David Mielnicki - david.mielnicki@nmrk.com

Finance – Keith Raynor - keith@trpsumner.com

Ad Hoc Committees:

Marketing and Promotion – Chair Needed

Strategic Alliance – Norm Brown - norm@fbssystems.com

Keith Dickinson

President

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING NOTES, December 2023

Financial Report – Russell Morgan, CFO

The final numbers for 2023 were still needing some minor adjustments, but nothing that would affect the positive results for the year. It was noted that the annual conference basically "broke even."

Meetings Committee - Dave Mielnicki, Chair

The 2024 date, location and hotel are set for Fort Myers, Florida, November 3-5. Currently work is being done on the budget. Members for the Meeting Committee are being sought. ASAC will need all hands on-deck to make this another great conference. The survey results from the 2023 Annual Conference were reviewed at a recent meeting. The importance of selecting a site and dates for 2025 was also noted.

Continuing Education Committee - Russell Morgan, Chair

It was announced (shortly after the board meeting) that Scott Mickey has agreed to chair this committee. Russell will continue to do “Notes from the Field” for 2024 – until a new person can be trained on the process. There will be a Shop Talk in January that incorporates the orientation for new board and committee members, and a webinar is being planned. The committee will also be asking for additional funds for 2024 to ramp up educational offerings for the members.

Marketing & Promotion Committee - A chair is still needed for this committee.

For the Website Sub-committee, Russell shared (via screen share) the current cosmetic proposal for the new homepage. It was suggested that the icon for the Annual Conference be added in a prominent location, with the ability for it to be a link to conference information and registration at a later date.

Next Board of Directors Meeting - February 27 - 11 a.m. CST (open to all members to listen in):

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89918075286?pwd=LEUjUgLopYS47U3q6wNmIiJcqdYsTt.1

ASAC NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Michael C. Downey, AAC, ALC, joined ASAC in 2023. He is the co-owner and Farm Transition Specialist for Next Gen Ag Advocates in Lisbon, Iowa, and has been in the consulting business for 23 years.

Mike states that one of the interesting things about his business is facilitating a matching and mentoring program called Century Match – connecting young and aspiring farmers with retiring farmers who don't have a successor.

In terms of his membership in ASAC, he finds "a lot of value in learning, networking, and collaborating with other ag consultants." For beginning consultants, his recommendation is: "Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for help, suggestions, and advice, as it’s more than likely others have similar experiences."

Mike adds that he and his family own and operate a small family farm where they enjoy spending time together. 

You can connect with Mike on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedowney-farmraised.

ASAC MEETING CALENDAR

KEEP UP WITH THE ASAC BLOG

January 4, 2024 - Protecting Your Online Assests from Fraud

January 17, 2024 - Don't Make the Same Mistakes Again

ASAC SPONSORS

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...

Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought life would be like

to find joy in the story you are actually living.

Rachel Marie Martin

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

Thomas Edison

None of us suddenly becomes something overnight. The preparations have been in the making for a lifetime.  

Gail Godwin

ASAC LEADERSHIP TEAM

Executive Board

President

Keith Dickinson, CAC

President-Elect

Dave Mielnicki, ARA

Vice President & Secretary

Abigail Majerus

Chief Financial Officer

Russell Morgan, CAC

Immediate Past President

Pete Weisenberger

Executive Director

Jean L Merry

Regional Directors

Eastern Director

Ethan Robertson, CAC

Western Director

Ron Rabou

Northern Director

Don Tyler

Southern Director

Scott Mickey

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