Mike Pearson was born and raised in South Central Iowa, where he grew to love agriculture on his family’s hog and cattle farm. After graduating from Simpson College, Mike moved to Grinnell, Iowa where he had the chance to build his own cow herd in addition to working as an agricultural lender.

Over the next 10 years, Mike left the world of finance and entered the world of media. He’s previously hosted “Market to Market” on Public Television, the Ag News Daily podcast, and currently, viewers can find him behind the anchor desk on “This Week in Agribusiness” on RFD-TV.

Sarah Gallo is senior vice president, product policy and federal affairs, at the Consumer Brands Association. In her role, Sarah holistically oversees Consumer Brands’ policy leadership on smart regulation issues from advocacy through education to marketplace solutions.

Prior to joining Consumer Brands, she served as Vice President, Agriculture and Environment for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. There, Gallo led the organization’s strategy across agriculture, food systems, energy, and biobased manufacturing.

Corey Lacey is the Environmental Policy Manager at the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA). In his role, Dr. Lacey focuses on advocating for Illinois soybean farmers on conservation and environmental policy issues. He works to monitor, prioritize, and provide consultation on environmental policy developments that may impact Illinois farmers.

He holds degrees in Environmental Soil and Water Science (University of Arkansas, BSc.), Agriculture Science (Illinois State University, MSc.) and Soil Fertility and Conservation (Purdue University, PhD). Prior to working at ISA, he managed an agricultural testing laboratory based in Central Illinois. Additionally, he has over a decade of agronomic experience working with Illinois growers.

Tyler Sayers has significant experience in the agricultural and commodities trading sector. He has been involved in discussions about global grain markets, crop conditions, and risk management strategies for producers. His insights have been valuable in analyzing market trends and providing guidance to farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural industry.

Tyler received his Bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University and MBA from Western Illinois University.  

Nicholas Goeser PhD, Managing Partner, is an agricultural organization leader, with sustainability strategy development and research experience in the areas of crop production, nutrient cycling and management, and environmental quality.  

Nick has served as CEO for the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.  He was the first Director of The Soil Health Partnership, a Technology Development Representative with Monsanto and Agronomic Research Manager on a commercial farm bringing over a decade of research and education in the areas of crop production, nutrient cycling and management, and environmental quality.  

Dr. Scott Gerlt is the chief economist for the American Soybean Association, where he leads market and policy analysis to guide strategic decisions. He frequently presents and writes about issues affecting the soybean industry.

Before joining ASA in 2020, Scott was program leader for U.S. crop policy and analysis at the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri. While he was there, the FAPRI team received professional awards for policy research and outreach. Scott’s position at FAPRI led to his involvement in multiple farm bill evaluations for Congress, among other unique opportunities. He holds a PhD in agricultural and applied economics from the University of Missouri and continues to engage in the research community.

Jack Cornell is the Director of Sustainable Supply at the United Soybean Board, where he leads initiatives to strengthen sustainable agriculture practices and connect supply chain stakeholders with innovative solutions. With over 15 years of experience in biotechnology, agronomy, and conservation, Jack specializes in translating complex research into actionable strategies for farmers, industry leaders, and policymakers.

His career spans hands-on field research, program management, and industry collaboration, always grounded in sustainability and data integrity. Jack holds a master’s degree in Plant Science from Missouri State University and a bachelor’s in Biology from Muskingum University. 

Ben Forsythe serves as the Sustainability and Value Creation Director at the Indiana Soybean Alliance, where he leads initiatives to enhance the profitability and long-term viability of soybean farming through innovative sustainability strategies. His work centers on aligning economic opportunity with environmental stewardship, ensuring Indiana’s soybean industry remains competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Before joining the Indiana Soybean Alliance in 2022, Ben held leadership roles with the Purdue Research Foundation, where he built impactful corporate and foundation partnerships. He also brings entrepreneurial experience as Vice President of Bryson’s Concrete and has led large-scale commercial construction projects. A graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Agribusiness Management, Ben is an active community leader, volunteering as a youth baseball coach and serving as a praise band leader at his church.

Clayton Light works as the Director of Conservation Agriculture and Farm Operations for Missouri Soybeans. Clayton keeps up to date on the latest conservation topics impacting soybean farmers and works with other organizations to ensure farmers benefit from conservation efforts. He also manages the Bay Farm Research Facility to ensure that MSA and MSMC have a place for research and demonstration for soybean farmers.   

Clayton is a graduate of Missouri State University with a degree in wildlife management and conservation and a minor in agronomy. He and his wife, Cindy, live in Freeburg, Missouri, with their two sons, Calvin and Cade. Clayton grew up enjoying the outdoors and helping on his grandpa’s cattle operations. He previously worked as a wildlife management biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation. In his free time, Clayton enjoys spending time with family and friends and being outdoors.