2026 State of the Agriculture

Presented by Invenergy

Tuesday, July 28
11:45AM - 1:00PM



Please join us for the 2026 State of the Agriculture Presented by Invenergy as we host a very interactive panel between panelists and attendees.

Register online today - lunch is included with your registration fee!
 

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Meet your Panelists!
Jack Long
Carolyn Olson


Kent Thiesse

Kent Thiesse is a Farm Management Analyst based in South Central Minnesota with extensive experience in agriculture, farm finance, and education. He retired in 2023 after a 20-year career as Vice President and Chief Ag Loan Officer for MinnStar Bank in Lake Crystal, Minnesota. Prior to that, Kent served as an Extension Educator in Farm Management and Marketing with the University of Minnesota Extension Service. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Agriculture from the University of Minnesota. Kent also writes the weekly “FOCUS ON AG” column, is a frequent speaker on farm management topics, and serves as Coordinator for the Feature Forums at FARMFEST each year.

Ken Franzky
 Centrol Crop Consulting, Agronomy Services Manager; CCA

Ken joined Centrol Crop Consulting in July 2015. Ken manages technical agronomic training for consultants, internal cross department education, in field diagnostic assistance, interactive product training with agricultural companies, and being a communication bridge with university and industry personnel.

On the personal side of life, Ken, along with his wife Bobbie, enjoys living in the rural Dawson, MN area. Raising their crop of four kids together, they have been blessed to add three outstanding sons-in-law, one amazing daughter-in-law, plus seven wonderful grandkids (working to nine by the fall of 2026), and they embrace all the bountiful memories their family creates. Other times you might find Ken volunteering, coaching, watching sports and attending other various activities that family and friends are busy with related to school, church, and community! Family weekends at the lake are always treasured times. Ken’s only real hobby is sneaking off to his small quarter section farm to toil in the soil and environment.

We hope to see you there!