MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT |
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David Mielnicki, MAI, ARA, SRA |
| Dear Members of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants,
I hope this message finds you well. As we reflect on our recent activities, I am delighted to share with you the outstanding success of our annual conference held in Fort Myers this past November. This event was a remarkable gathering of minds, filled with engaging discussions and innovative ideas that continue to advance our field.
The success of this conference would not have been possible without the robust leadership of our executive team and the dedication of our committee leaders. Their commitment ensures that we continuously provide high-quality experiences and resources for each of our members.
Looking ahead, I am excited to announce that our 2025 annual conference will be hosted in Indianapolis, Indiana, in November. We are already in the planning stages and aim to make it an even grander event, with enriching keynote sessions, and ample networking opportunities
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Furthermore, as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our communication strategies and provide timely and relevant information, we plan to introduce a new market news platform via a podcast or similar medium. This initiative will allow us to reach a broader audience and keep our members informed and engaged with the latest developments in our industry.
In addition to these exciting developments, we are committed to strengthening our network of resources available to you. We will continue to offer a wide range of webinars, blogs, and educational offerings—designed to support your professional growth and address the evolving needs of the agricultural consulting sector.
Thank you for your ongoing support and participation in our society. We look forward to seeing you in Indianapolis in November 2025 and to embarking on this new journey together. Please have a Safe and Happy Holiday and New Year!
Warm regards,
David Mielnicki ASAC President Standing Committees: Membership – Ron Rabou - raboufarms@gmail.com
Nominating – Pete Weisenberger -peteweis846@gmail.com By-Laws – Keith Dickinson - keith.dickinson@farmcrediteast.com Ethics and Grievance – Ethan Robertson - ethan.robertson@farmcrediteast.com
Continuing Education – Scott Mickey - smickey@clemson.edu Annual Meeting – Abigail Byerly - byerly@snowymountaindevelopment.com Finance – Keith Raynor - keith@trpsumner.com Ad Hoc Committees
Marketing and Promotion – Pete Weisenberger - peteweis846@gmail.com Strategic Alliance – Norm Brown - norm@fbssystems.com |
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Watch for Your 2025 ASAC Membership Renewal Notice via Email |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING NOTES, December 2024 |
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Financial Report – Russell Morgan, CFO
Russell gave an updated Finance Report thru the end of November, including an estimate that the Annual Conference will have ended up at a break-even or slightly better. Meetings Committee - Abigail Byerly, Chair
Abigail announced the committee roster for the 2026 Annual Conference Planning Committee, with a regular meeting time and date of the second Monday of each month and 10 a.m. Central Time. Continuing Education Committee - Scott Mickey, Chair
There will be a webinar on January 15 entitled "Agri Supply Chain and Impact of Transportation on Commodity Flows." Details and registration information can be found on the Education and Events tab of the website. Also, for the CAC designation, CNSLT 300 - Principles of Agricultural Consulting is slated for January 2025 and CNSLT 301 is planned for March 2025.
Marketing & Promotion Committee - Pete Weisenberger, Chair Pete announced the roster for the committee and a regular meeting time and date of 8:30 a.m. Central Time on the second Monday of every month. He plans that the committee will work closely with the membership, strategic alliance and the conference committees to promote memberships, member involvement and conference attendance. Finance Committee – Keith Raynor, Committee Chair
The committee will be working on the organization budget for 2025 to present to the Board at the January meeting. The budget for the Annual Conference will be presented in Spring.
Next Board of Directors Meeting - January 21 - 11 a.m. CST (open to all members to listen in): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89918075286?pwd=LEUjUgLopYS47U3q6wNmIiJcqdYsTt.1 |
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2024 ASAC Conference Awards |
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Don Tyler, principle at Tyler and Associates, Clarks Hill, Indiana, was presented with the “Above and Beyond Award” for his ongoing contributions to ASAC and its members. Presenting the honor was the outgoing president, Keith Dickinson.
“Don’s contributions of time and talent over many years have been invaluable to the Society and our members,” Dickinson stated. He cited the blog series Tyler has maintained on the Society’s web site for a number of years, “usually three articles, per month,” and his service as a member of the board of directors. “Don has also been a regular presenter at our conferences, including this year, providing insights on personal and professional development,” he continued.
An Indiana native and graduate from Purdue University, Tyler managed farms in Illinois and operated farming enterprises in Indiana prior to forming Tyler and Associates, a private management and executive coaching firm, in 1995. The company now has over 700 clients in every type of ag business and entrepreneurial enterprise from North Carolina to Hawaii. In addition, he works with a wide variety of non-ag businesses that include trade associations, manufacturers, processors, hospitals, schools and universities, churches and other non-profits.
Don has also been a writer for Feed Lot© magazine for 20 years, a regular writer for PORK©, Beef Vet©, PCBE© and Progressive Cattle© magazines, as well as a variety of other business publications, and has written hundreds of blogs for multiple companies. His presentations and training topics include executive management and personal coaching, sales and human behavior, strategic planning, family business communication, and resolving difficult employee and family issues.
Longtime member and past ASAC president, Michael Salisbury, was honored posthumously for his ‘steadfast commitment, thoughtful guidance and inspiring leadership.’ Salisbury passed away at his home in Kalamazoo, Mich., August 18.
Acknowledging Salisbury’s nearly 40 years of membership, Russell Morgan, CFO, himself a past ASAC president and long-time member, noted that Salisbury had joined the ag consultants' group in 1983 and served as president in 1997. “Mike had a big personality – gregarious and welcoming,” Morgan commented. “He was quick with a smile and a firm handshake that made you instantly feel comfortable with him. His leadership was key to ASAC becoming an independent organization again. As a side note, Mike was the reason I became an ASAC member.”
A U.S. Army veteran, Salisbury served in Panama and Vietnam and achieved the rank of captain before leaving for civilian life. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics, he worked for the Farm Credit System for a period of time before starting Salisbury Management Services where he brought innovative computer accounting, strategic management solutions, and family succession planning to family farms across the United States, from Maine to Michigan and throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Mike was a lifelong outdoorsman who relished crafting stories and sharing his skills with family, friends, clients, and as a Boy Scout leader. This passion resulted in many adventures: hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and camping throughout the States. and abroad, Morgan related.
Writing in the organization’s 50-year history book in 2013, Salisbury said: “Being a family business consultant has been the best career that I could ever have imagined. ASAC has played a significant role in my success.”
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Keith (right) presents the "Above and Beyond" Award to Don at the Monday evening banquet. |
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2025 ASAC Annual Conference Indianapolis, Indiana November 2-4.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North, 3912 Vincennes Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268. Details will be posted on the Education & Events tab of the website as they become available. |
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WELCOME - NEW MEMBERS: Dylan Mello and Shelby Taylor |
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Marketing & Promotion Committee
01/13/2025
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Meeting Planning Committee
01/13/2025 |
Monthly Board of Directors Meeting
01/21/2025 |
Marketing & Promotion Committee
02/10/2025 |
| Meeting Planning Committee
02/10/2025 |
Monthly Board of Directors Meeting
02/18/2025 |
Marketing & Promotion Committee
03/10/2025 |
Meeting Planning Committee
03/10/2025 |
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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... Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melody Beattie You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. A. A. Milne If you don't want anyone to find out, don't do it. Chinese Proverb |
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President Dave Mielnicki, ARA |
| President-Elect Abigail Byerly |
| Vice President & Secretary
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| Chief Financial Officer Russell Morgan, CAC |
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| Immediate Past President
Keith Dickinson, CAC |
| Executive Director
Jean L Merry |
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Eastern Director Ethan Robertson, CAC
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| Western Director
Ron Rabou |
| Northern Director Don Tyler |
| Southern Director Scott Mickey |
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