Local bank sponsors agricultural business conference

MENDOTA, Ill. — The 25th annual First State Bank Ag Conference, a special forum for area farmers, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 23 at the Mendota Civic Center.

Starting the program will be Kelly Jackson Hardy, principal, of Clifton Larson Allen. She answers client needs related to tax consulting, planning and compliance.

Serving primarily the agribusiness industry and cooperatives, Hardy comes from a farm background and understands the nuances of agriculture. Her talk will focus on the areas of ag taxation and farm succession planning.

Following Hardy will be Kurtis Wujek, the trading director for export corn at Archer Daniels Midland Co. His main responsibilities include the execution and risk management of ADM’s North American export program through New Orleans.

Keynote speaker Delaney Howell will take a deep dive into the issues impacting the business of agriculture. She grew up on a grain and livestock farm in southeast Iowa and has been involved in agriculture from a very young age.

Howell holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences and minors in broadcasting and international studies from Northwest Missouri State University and a master’s degree in agricultural communications through Texas Tech University.

She strives to bring the most up-to-date information on the latest news cycle in D.C. politics, commodity markets and the international agricultural scene through her travels to 23 countries.

People may recognize Howell from her role as former host of the 45-year-old agribusiness show, “Market to Market,” or the daily podcast she launched in 2017, “Ag News Daily.”

Contact the First State Bank ag department at 815-539-3834 by Jan. 18 to reserve a seat.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. First State Insurance will sponsor the morning coffee and doughnuts.

ADM Grain Co. and Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance are sponsoring the noon luncheon. Clifton Larson Allen is sponsoring the soda.

Door prizes are being provided by several area businesses, including Beck Oil Co., Cantlin Law Firm, Chris Eller — the Retirement Specialists, Dinges Fire Co., Earlville Farmers Coop, Guilfoyle & Stevenson Law Firm, Hornung Tiling Inc., Foster’s Tax & Accounting LLC, Leffelman & Associates, Leone Grain & Supply, Maplehurst Farms, Mendota Mutual Insurance, Meriden Grain — Pioneer Seed, Northern Partners Cooperative, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Prescott Brothers Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Schimmer Automotive Group, Sublette Farmers Elevator Co., Sublette Mechanical, Troy Grove Coop, Vaessen Brothers Chevrolet, Vaessen Implement Repair, and West Brooklyn Farmers Coop.