Agribusiness professionals enjoy hands-on farm simulation at Thompson Coburn

Last week Thompson Coburn hosted a first-ever seminar specifically targeted to agribusiness professionals. The program, “From the Ground Up,” provided participants with an overview of key elements of agriculture process, an opportunity to ask questions of agricultural experts, and the ability to connect with other members of the agricultural community.

Agribusiness professionals gathered in the firm’s St. Louis office on Sept. 13-14, including a handful who flew in from their own headquarters across the Midwest. Participants included executives, general counsel, and agribusiness professionals from major agriculture, food, biotech, and financing companies.  

The program’s facilitators were Dr. Fritz Koppatschek, the President of ABG Ag Services, an ag research and consulting company with locations in Indiana and South Dakota, and Kevin Ochsner of Agcellerate LLC, who provides training and strategic business consulting services to many of North America’s leading agribusinesses.

Attendees participated in a lively, interactive simulation of a year of crop production on an actual farm, working in teams to make critical management decisions about planting, equipment, pest control, and seed and plant breeding. 

Comments from attendees: 

• “Very engaging.” 
  
  
• “Wonderful instructors — very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and approachable.”
  
  
• “I have a better understanding of the complexities farmers face and the hundreds of decisions they make each year.”
  
  
• “The examination of how to market grain was immensely informative.”
  
  
• “Very relevant to what I do at work.”
  
  
• “Thank you for hosting and your hospitality.” 

Thompson Coburn attorneys Matt Bober, Chris Hohn, Hope Abramov, and Dan Cox participated in the event.