Building Together: Highlights from Our First Summit

Last weekend, our team traded Zoom calls and spreadsheets for fresh air and the hills of Graham, Texas, gathering at Wildcatter Ranch for our first-ever Empire Ag Summit.

This wasn’t a client event. It was for our people and their families, a chance to step away from the day-to-day, share a meal, laugh around a campfire, and talk about where we’re headed as a team.

We kicked off with a welcome dinner and s’mores under the Texas sky. Friday brought some friendly competition—shotguns, archery, tomahawks—and then we got to work, spending the afternoon sharing updates, plans, and the vision we’re building toward together. We wrapped up with a family-style dinner and some good conversations with a bit of live music.

We even had time to feed the longhorns, cool off in the pool, and simply slow down. A good reminder that taking a breath isn’t a luxury, it’s part of staying sharp for the people who trust us with their businesses.

What We’re Building Next

This summit was about connection, but it was also about getting aligned on what’s next for Empire Ag, Empire Financial Services, and EA Capital.

We spent time digging into the rollout of EA Capital, which is in the works to help producers and rural businesses access private credit designed specifically for agriculture. We’ve seen too many good operations hit a wall when it comes to funding, and we’re building a way to change that. It was energizing to see the team’s excitement around what EA Capital will mean for the industry and the communities we serve.

We also talked about our new branding and marketing services. For a long time, we’ve seen how producers and rural entrepreneurs do incredible work, but struggle to share their story in a way that moves their business forward. We’re stepping in to help with that, bringing clarity, strategy, and consistency so producers can show up in the marketplace in a way that actually works.

Real Conversations, Real Plans

The best part of the weekend was watching ideas fly around the room. We talked through what’s working, where we’re stuck, and how we can keep improving. We shared ideas for serving producers better, building systems that support growth, and making sure we’re living out the values that matter most to us.

We talked about what’s ahead for our team, how to grow in a way that creates opportunities for rural talent, how to protect what makes this team special, and how to keep our families at the center of the work we do.

These weren’t theoretical conversations. They were rooted in the real challenges and opportunities our clients face every day and in the practical ways we can keep showing up for them.

Why It Matters

At the end of the day, this summit was about more than a change of scenery. It was about coming together to align, connect, and build a future we’re proud of.

We left the ranch grateful: for this team and the families who support them, for the producers and businesses who trust us, and for the opportunity to do work that matters.

We’re excited about what’s ahead — launching EA Capital, rolling out new branding and marketing services, and continuing to walk alongside producers, entrepreneurs, and investors as they build what’s next.

We’re carrying the ideas, energy, and momentum from this weekend with us as we head into the next season, ready to keep building.

Until next year, Summit.