The Agenda

TEXICAN TACOS

Chilaquiles, crispy bacon, chorizo, cowboy red roasted potatoes, refried beans, flour & corn tortillas, shredded cheese, house made salsa & diced bell peppers, sliced fruit & berries; orange juice, cranberry juice, & apple juice

8 AM | DAN REED

Start your day with a powerful morning devotional led by Dan Reed, blending timeless wisdom and spiritual insight. This session focuses on aligning your daily actions with your God-given purpose. Through scripture and reflection, Dan will guide participants to explore how faith can provide clarity and strength in the face of life's challenges, leaving you inspired to lead with intention both personally and professionally.

8:30 AM | JONATHON HARALSON

To kick off the Elite Retreat, Jonathon Haralson will take the stage to share the journey that led to the creation of Empire Ag. From his roots in agriculture to building a business that serves farmers, ranchers, and ag entrepreneurs across the country, Jonathon will delve into the pivotal moments, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. This session sets the tone for the retreat, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how Empire Ag empowers its clients to thrive in today’s complex agricultural landscape. It’s a story of resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to the ag community.

9:15 AM | DONNA HUGHES

Join Donna Hughes, Senior Risk Management Consultant, as she shares her expertise on navigating the ever-changing commodity markets. With decades of experience working with producers and leading risk management strategies, Donna will break down current market trends, highlight actionable insights, and provide tools to help you make informed decisions. Whether you're managing risk, optimizing your hedging strategy, or looking to better understand global market dynamics, this session will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to turn market challenges into opportunities.

10:15 AM | DONNA HUGHES AND JONATHON HARALSON

Following her insightful session on navigating commodity markets, Donna Hughes will be joined by Empire Ag’s Jonathon Haralson for an open and interactive Q&A session. This is your opportunity to dive deeper into the strategies and market dynamics shaping agriculture today. Bring your questions about hedging, risk management, or how global trends impact your operation, and gain actionable advice tailored to real-world challenges. Together, Donna and Jonathon will provide practical insights and discuss how to stay ahead in an evolving market.

SHOWDOWN

Chef’s choice soup, seasonal garden salad, potato salad, smoked chicken, pulled pork, barbeque sauce on the side, chipotle coleslaw, barbeque baked beans, kiser rolls, banana pudding, and Texas pecan pie

1 PM | JACOB LITTLE

Join Jacob Little, owner of Crop & Range Insurance Services and a seasoned expert in agricultural policy, for an in-depth session designed to help producers understand and navigate the complexities of crop insurance and the Farm Bill. With nearly 40 years of experience and a direct role in shaping some of the policies used today, Jacob brings unparalleled expertise to the table.

2 PM | ERIN ARICK

Discover how Figured is revolutionizing financial management for farmers and ranchers with innovative technology that bridges the gap between agriculture and accounting. In this session, Erin Arick, a Denver-based Account Executive at Figured, will provide an engaging overview of the platform and demonstrate how it empowers producers to take control of their finances, make informed decisions, and plan for a sustainable future.

3:30 PM | BRANDON VINING

s agriculture continues to evolve, having a clear, actionable plan is more important than ever. Join Brandon Vining, a trusted expert in sustainable agriculture, for a forward-looking session that dives into the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping agriculture in 2025.

Brandon will guide you through the essentials of soil resilience, emphasizing practical strategies like focusing on the basics and leveraging cover crops to boost your operation's health and productivity. He’ll also explore how to incorporate ag tech innovations into your game plan and uncover ways to save money without compromising quality or efficiency.

Through real-life examples and hands-on advice, Brandon will help you build a tailored plan to navigate 2025 with confidence and success. Whether you're looking to improve your land, optimize resources, or embrace new technologies, this session is your roadmap to thriving in the year ahead.

4:30 | JORDAN MORRIS & NIC KOESTER

Join Jordan Morris and Nic Koester, experts in agricultural innovation and strategic planning, for an engaging session designed to help farmers and ranchers tackle the challenges of today while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow. In this session, Jordan will provide actionable insights into how producers can adapt to industry changes, improve operational efficiency, and make data-driven decisions that lead to long-term success.

Rather than focusing on products, Jordan and Nic will dive into the bigger picture, covering:

• Emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of agriculture.
• Practical strategies to optimize resources and increase profitability.
• Building resilience in the face of market and environmental volatility.
• Real-life examples of how farmers and ranchers have successfully implemented innovative solutions to overcome challenges.

Off-Site group reservations will be made around lunchtime for those interested.

TEXICAN TACOS

Croissants, biscuits & danishes; assorted preserves, honey & butter; scrambled eggs; apple wood smoked bacon; sausage patties; cowboy red roasted potatoes; sliced seasonal fruit & berries; orange juice, cranberry juice & apple juice.

8 AM | DAN REED

Join Dan Reed for an enriching morning devotional that draws parallels between the rhythms of agriculture and the journey of spiritual growth. Reflect on the importance of patience, perseverance, and trust in God’s timing as Dan shares scripture and insights that resonate deeply with farmers, ranchers, and ag professionals. This session will leave you refreshed and encouraged to sow seeds of faith in every aspect of your life.

8:30 AM | JONATHON HARALSON

Jonathon Haralson takes us beyond the story of how we got here and into the vision of where we’re headed. This forward-looking session will explore the exciting developments shaping the future of Empire Financial Services and the tools and partnerships that are paving the way for success in agriculture.

9 AM | JIM EGGLESTON

With more than 44 years of experience in agricultural and commercial real estate law, Jim Eggleston, Partner at Eggleston King Davis, LLP, brings unparalleled expertise to this essential session on agricultural law. Jim is board-certified in Farm and Ranch Real Estate Law and Commercial Real Estate Law, and he’s been recognized as a “Texas Super Lawyer” for more a decade.

In this session, Jim will provide actionable insights into the complex legal landscape that impacts farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses

10 AM | ROB KRESS, RPH, and DR. KAY CORPUS, MD

Explore the transformative principles of Functional Medicine with experts Rob Kress, RPh, and Dr. Kay Corpus, MD. This session will focus on the foundations of this integrative approach, emphasizing the importance of addressing root causes and treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Rob and Kay will share practical strategies for fostering long-term health and vitality, offering insights that can be applied to a wide range of wellness goals. Whether you're seeking to enhance your well-being or support others on their health journey, this session is the perfect starting point.

11 AM | HOLLY HARLASON, ROB KRESS, RPH, and DR. KAY CORPUS, MD

Following the discussion on the foundations of Functional Medicine, Holly Haralson—pharmacist, business leader, and a client of Rob Kress and Dr. Kay Corpus—will join the stage to lead a dynamic Q&A panel. This interactive session invites participants to dive deeper into the practical applications of Functional Medicine principles, addressing real-life challenges and exploring actionable strategies for integrating holistic health practices into daily life. Holly will bring her unique perspective as both a healthcare professional and a patient, facilitating an engaging conversation that bridges theory and practice. Bring your questions and leave with clarity and inspiration.

SOUTHWEST ESPECIAL

Vegetable soup or pork pozole; southwest salad with chipotle ranch; jicama salad; carne asada; tequila lime chicken; corn or flour tortillas; fresh pico de gallo; house made salsa with tortilla chips; cilantro lime rice; roasted squash; chile relleno; sopapillas with honey; fruit display.

1 PM | EMPIRE AG TEAM

In today’s agriculture landscape, market volatility, unpredictable weather, and fluctuating commodity prices make financial stability a challenge for farmers and ranchers. Diversifying income through small business ownership in local communities offers a promising solution.

Join us for an insightful session exploring how farmers and ranchers can take advantage of the growing opportunities in local business ownership. With millions of baby boomer-owned businesses expected to change hands in the coming years, there’s no better time to diversify your revenue streams and secure long-term financial stability.

1:30 PM | SHAYE REILLY, M.Ed., MCP, LPC

In this thought-provoking session, Shaye Reilly, M.Ed., MCP, LPC, invites you to focus on personal growth and connection—not just as a farmer or rancher, but as a human being. Drawing on her extensive expertise in mental health, rural resilience, and farm response, Shaye will guide you through 10 actionable steps you can take to improve your well-being, relationships, and impact on the world around you.

2:30 | BROOKE TAYLOR

Brooke Taylor, a seasoned marketer and founder of Rural Gone Urban, will guide you through the essentials of creating a strong brand foundation. Whether you’re looking to sell a product, build brand recognition, or engage with your audience more effectively, this session is designed to equip you with practical strategies to connect authentically and intentionally.

3:00 | CLAYTON LIND

In an era where connection and perception matter more than ever, sharing agriculture’s story is essential to building trust and bridging the gap between producers and consumers. Join Clayton Lind, Founder and Chief Everything Officer of Atlas Media Solutions, as he shares his passion for showcasing the stories and values of agriculture through compelling digital media.

4 PM | JONATHON HARALSON

Join Jonathon Haralson for the closing session of the retreat, where he will reflect on the key takeaways from our time together and provide a forward-looking perspective on the future of agriculture and Empire Financial Services. In this final discussion, Jonathon will tie together insights shared throughout the event, emphasizing actionable steps and strategies to drive success in your operation.

Off-site group reservations will be made around lunchtime for those interested.