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 an interactive panel of speakers followed by a Q&A session.

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

Meet Our Panelists!


Carolyn Olson

Carolyn Olson and her husband, Jonathan, farm 1,100 acres of organic corn, soybeans, small grains, and alfalfa near Cottonwood, Minnesota, while also finishing approximately 14,000 conventional hogs annually. Although she grew up in the Minneapolis suburbs, Carolyn has built a lifelong passion for agriculture since moving to southwestern Minnesota in 1988.

Carolyn is a dedicated leader in agriculture, serving as Vice President of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Board of Directors and Chair of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Organic Advisory Task Force. She also serves on the boards of the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute, the Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture, and the Center for Rural Policy and Development, and has held numerous local, state, and national leadership roles throughout her career.

In addition to her work in agriculture, Carolyn chairs the Lyon County Planning and Zoning Commission, is active in her church, and volunteers with local FFA chapters. She and Jonathan are proud to continue farming land that has been in their family since 1913 while raising the next generation's appreciation for agriculture.



Kent Thiesse

Ryan Vos

Ryan Vos is a fifth-generation beef producer from southwest Minnesota who combines a passion for agriculture, communication, and education. Alongside his father and brother, he helps manage the family farming operation, raising feedlot steers and producing corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. He also custom feeds hogs and operates a registered Hereford cattle herd with his wife, Mallory, and their son, Beau. In addition to his work on the farm, Ryan is the morning show host on KJOE 106.1 in Slayton, Minnesota, and regularly provides crop condition reports through the Linder Farm Network. His ability to connect with audiences has made him a trusted voice in both agriculture and local media.

Ryan has also built a strong following on social media, where he creates educational content across TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Through engaging videos and authentic storytelling, he provides consumers with a behind-the-scenes look at modern farming and livestock production while helping bridge the gap between agriculture and the public. Whether he is working in the field, behind a microphone, or creating content online, Ryan is dedicated to sharing the story of agriculture and promoting a better understanding of the farmers and ranchers who help feed the world.



Jack Long

Jack grew up on a cattle ranch in Cole Camp, Missouri, where his family operated a cow-calf operation that has been in his family for 4 generations. Jack received his Bachelor's in Animal Sciences from the University of Missouri and his Master's in Agribusiness from Oklahoma State University. Previously, he worked for the National Association of Wheat Growers as their Government Relations Representative. Most recently, Jack joined Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach’s office last April as their Agriculture Legislative Assistant. He works on a wide array of issues in agriculture, biofuels, energy, and trade.

Jay Fultz

Jay Fultz is a long-time farmer and the co-owner of Fultz Farms Inc. out in Tracy, Minnesota. For the past 20 years, Jay has worked alongside his dad, uncle and two cousins and currently runs the farm’s hog operation, managing everything it takes to raise about 58,000 pigs a year. He’s deeply involved in the farming community and currently serves as the Secretary of the Minnesota Pork Executive Board, speaking up for local producers.  Jay also serves on the Board of Education for Tracy Area Public Schools and has a Massage Therapy practice in Tracy. 

When he's not busy in the barns or out in the fields, Jay is usually training for his next big race, he just crossed the finish line at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth. He’s been happily married for 27 years and is a proud dad to two adult kids.

 

 Ken Franzky (Facilitator)

Ken joined Centrol Crop Consulting in July 2015. His current position is the Agronomy Services Manager (CCA) and 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!