Regenerative Ag in the MAHA Era

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement is driving online conversation and influencing policy making. Regenerative agriculture, pesticides and other sustainability tools are some of the many themes associated with the MAHA movement. This workshop will take a balanced look at sustainability on the farm – what techniques farmers are using, potential federal program impacts and how agriculture is producing more with less.

Moderator:

Samantha Ayoub, Economist, AFBF

Speakers:

• Ryan Britt, Farmer, Britt Farms
• Shelby Myers, Public Affairs Advisor, Farm & Conservation, Farm Credit
• Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, President, Field to Market

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Speaker Details

Ryan Britt

Ryan Britt is a fifth-generation farmer committed to advancing agricultural production of corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, and cattle—from cow-calf operations to finished beef—by integrating technology and forging innovative partnerships that enhance both efficiency and sustainability.

He actively contributes to the agricultural sector through service on various boards, associations, and committees. His leadership experience includes positions with the Randolph County Farm Bureau, Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Randolph County Cattlemen’s Association. Currently, Mr. Britt serves on the Randolph County Soil and Water Conservation District board, holds the position of second Vice President at the National Association of Conservation Districts, and is an executive board member for Paseo Biofuels, LLC. He is also a member of the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee.

Mr. Britt was recognized as Missouri’s Environmental Steward of 2019 by the Department of Agriculture. He recently completed the NACD Next Generation Leadership Institute as a cohort member and serves as a Soil Health Champion. Together with his father, he received the 2022 Leopold Conservation Award for Missouri. Ryan and his wife Rebecca are dedicated to raising their three children—Lydea, Luke, and Lynelle—on their family farm near Thomas Hill Lake. He values his service as a deacon in their local church and his involvement with Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief initiatives nationwide. The Britt family also enjoys supporting collegiate athletics, regularly attending football and basketball games at the University of Missouri, their alma mater.

Shelby Myers

Shelby Myers is the Public Affairs Advisor for Farm and Conservation Programs at Farm Credit Mid-America helping team members and customers understand, implement and optimize these programs while advancing Farm Credit Mid-America’s public affairs and sustainability strategies centered on communication, education, and advocacy. With a background in agricultural policy and crop market economics, she previously served as an Economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation and held key roles at Indiana Farm Bureau and Ever.Ag Insights. Shelby was appointed to the USDA Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers and holds degrees in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University. She and her family raise beef cattle and farm corn, soybeans, and custom sweet corn in West-Central Indiana.

Carrie Vollmer-Sanders

Carrie Vollmer-Sanders serves as Field to Market's President. Carrie is a 6th generation farmer, passionate about collaborating with forward-thinking farmers, convening diverse thought-leaders, and addressing environmental challenges while maintaining focus on business objectives. She received the White House Champion of Change Award in 2014 for her leadership in developing the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program while at The Nature Conservancy. She has an MBA from Purdue University and a master’s degree in Ag Economics from Michigan State University. Carrie currently serves on the Edon Farmers Co-op, Soil & Water Conservation Society, and Cameron Health boards and previously served on the US EPA Science Advisory Board and worked for U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action, The Nature Conservancy, and Michigan Farm Bureau. Carrie and her husband have two active sons and own Grains and Greens, Inc., a corn, soybeans, and wheat farm in Indiana and Ohio with a focus on all three elements of the sustainability stool (people, planet, profit).

Samantha Ayoub

Samantha Ayoub is an Economist covering environment/sustainability, labor markets, tax policy and food safety for American Farm Bureau Federation. Samantha is originally from northeast Georgia where she was an active 4-H and FFA member. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a BSA in Agricultural and Applied Economics, she worked for USDA NRCS in Lincoln, Nebraska, focusing on state watershed projects. She then received her Master of Science in Agricultural and Resources Economics from Colorado State University evaluating market demand for animal welfare in beef cattle. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Field to Market.