The Elite Program

Smarter Strategies. Stronger Operations. Sustainable Success.

The Elite Program is a Year-Long, Peer-To-Peer Ag Mastermind

It’s easier to explain what' we’re offering, by sharing a bit of what we’re not selling: this is not a course where we cash your hard-earned money and then direct you to a series of pre-recorded videos.

What we are selling: near-24/7 access to our team, 1:1 consulting focused on your unique operation, weekly group calls, an on-going group chat, and a tremendous line up of guest speakers.

If you invite us to be an extension of your team, we’re going to climb into the trenches with you and work toward the long-term health of your person, your family, and your business by focusing on making non-emotional decisions.

What’s Included

  • One-on-One Consulting

    There are no canned presentations here. We focus on your individual operation.

    You must be honest about your books, your margins, and what’s really on your plate — for this to be successful.

  • Group Strategy Sessions

    With farmers and ranchers representing various time zones commodities and guest speakers, there’s absolutely someone tackling the same challenges as you.

  • Near 24/7 Access to Our Team

    We use a community centered app, deploy emails, are logged into Voxer, and on occasion might throw up some smoke signals. We do what we need to do to ensure when market shifts happen, you won’t be left guessing.

  • Community & Networking

    This isn’t your grandfather’s producer meeting. We’re doing things differently because there’s a lot more on our plates than ever before.

“The Empire Ag Elite Program isn’t just about spreadsheets and strategy. We look at the whole picture—mental health, physical health, business health. Because if we’re not checking everything under the hood, we can’t honestly say we’re setting ourselves up for financial success.

We have to evaluate our relationships. We have to make sure we’re being good humans, good dads, good partners. We’ve got to be honest about our books and willing to do the work.

Every part of your life impacts how you run your operation. This program is about making sure it all gets stronger—so you don’t just survive, you lead.

If you’re ready to dig in, ask better questions, and build something that actually lasts, we’ve got a seat for you.”

— Jonathon Haralson

JONATHON HARALSON, AG EMPIRE FOUNDER

Farmer, Rancher, Commodity Market Expert

And, if we’re being honest, the guy who will always answer your call, text, or Voxer. Even if he’s checking cows. Because he’s been there.

The Elite Program is for:

  • Farmers & Ranchers who want to move beyond day-to-day survival and start building long-term wealth.

  • Ag professionals looking for financial clarity and risk management strategies that work.

  • Producers who are tired of navigating markets, cash flow, and expansion decisions alone.

  • As an Elite Mastermind member, I’ve really enjoyed working with Jonathon. He has a down-to-earth personality and explains things in a way that actually makes sense—no jargon, just straight talk. I’m working with Jonathon on marketing, business growth, and expansion planning, and we’re just starting with Figured this year. Whether it’s financial strategy or big-picture decisions, I never feel like there’s a dumb question with him. Jonathon might be 10 years younger than me, but he communicates like he’s got 10 years more experience. His insight and practical approach have been invaluable to my business.

    Lucas Criswell, Pennsylvania

  • I’m a first-generation farmer who started with nothing—just one pig barn. During the past 11 years, I’ve built my operation from the ground up expanding into a custom feedlot. I’ve done in a decade what most do in a lifetime. But I hit a point where my vision outgrew my banker’s mindset. That’s where Jonathon and Empire Ag changed everything. They’ve kept my vision alive and refueled my path. I’ve dealt with a lot of bankers who don’t understand the reality of agriculture—who won’t let you have a bad year, month, or even a week. No bank around me has experience with a custom feedlot operation. They don’t understand the cash flow. Jonathon does. With him, it’s not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. He helps me align my business, my books, my cash flow, and my vision to create the life that works for my family. When I go to the bank wanting to invest in an asset, the answer is always “no.” With Jonathon, we take a deeper dive—he helps me identify the root cause of financial challenges and align everything to fix it. Because of Empire Ag, my bookwork is clean, my business is stronger, and my mental health is a priority. Jonathon doesn’t just understand how the business works—he understands how to keep my vision going.

    Jordan Morris, Iowa

We Tackle Real Topics

  • Family & Farm Team Communication

    When your business is built around family, communication isn’t just important—it’s everything. We’ll help you navigate tough conversations, manage expectations, and tackle emotionally charged topics head-on so you can protect both your operation and your relationships for generations to come.

  • Risk Management

    Smart operators don’t gamble with their legacy. We break down crop insurance, livestock risk protection, and futures & options into real, usable strategies—helping you hedge risk, lock in profits, and protect what you’ve built.

  • Emotions

    Agriculture can be an emotional industry filled with stoic, proud, and passionate people. We’ll guide you through seasons of heightened emotions with an objective, third-party perspective from someone with the same lived experiences.

  • Ag Policy

    Regulations can make or break an operation. Stay ahead of federal, state, and local policy changes that impact your business, and learn how to navigate the red tape, anticipate shifts, and advocate for policies that protect your operation’s future.

  • Financial Clarity

    A good plan lives beyond your head—it’s built to last. Understanding your unit cost of production, cash flow, and margins isn’t just bookkeeping, it’s protecting your operation, preparing for growth, and building a legacy that stands the test of time.

  • Marketing Plan Development

    Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining what’s already in place, a solid plan is the foundation of a thriving operation. We’ll help you build, audit, and adjust your strategy so you’re making decisions with confidence—not just reacting to the next challenge.

  • Financial Risk

    As the old adage says, with big risks come big rewards. However, sometimes there are risks that are not in the best interest of your operation. We’ll help you navigate the balance between your operation’s financial position and the benefits of taking some financial risk.

  • Legal

    Operate above board, always. This is a core value of Empire Ag and a key component to an operation that is successful for generations.

  • Management

    Many of us do things a certain way for a long time. Our job is to ask the simple question, “why?” It’s possible there are new tools to help manage your operation to save you time and money.

  • Niche Markets

    Your operation may fall under a larger market, but with unique needs and market opportunities. We’ll help you explore opportunities that are unique to your operation.

  • Succession Planning

    We know not everyone is comfortable talking about the inevitable, but we also know the time to plan for a farm transition is not during a crisis. Planning for change in times of calm ensures you make logical and strategic choices that protect your Empire, and we can help you begin to have those conversations with your farm team and family.

We're building a community where farmers and ranchers can thrive in every aspect of their lives. Join us on this journey, where trusted support is not just a resource, but a vital component of your success.

Real Clients, Real Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Empire Ag Mastermind Program is an annual membership designed for farmers and ranchers seeking to enhance their knowledge, skills, and success in the agricultural industry. It offers personalized consulting, group sessions, community engagement, continuing education, and access to industry experts.

  • The Mastermind Program is open to farmers, ranchers, and ag entrepreneurs all experience levels who are committed to advancing their operations and achieving long-term success in agriculture.

    Yes, you’re the right fit.

    Our members cover all timezones and commodities.

  • Individualized consulting provides members with personalized guidance and support. It includes one-on-one sessions tailored to address specific challenges, opportunities, and goals unique to each member's operation.

  • Group sessions are interactive meetings where members engage in discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking with peers. These sessions foster collaboration, idea exchange, and collective learning among members.

  • Community engagement allows members to connect with like-minded peers, build relationships, and access a supportive network of fellow farmers and ranchers. It provides opportunities for collaboration, support, and camaraderie within the agricultural community.

  • Members enjoy near-24/7 access to the Empire Ag team for assistance, guidance, and support. They can reach out via Circle App direct messages, email, phone, Voxer voice messages, or scheduled consultations.

  • The Elite Retreat features workshops, networking opportunities, and relaxation activities. Members receive exclusive discounts on registration and can participate in this enriching experience.

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