Rural Development Drives Prosperous Communities

Farms and ranches are at the heart of rural America, contributing to and relying upon the economic health of their small-town communities. This discussion will explore the state of rural economic and business development across the country as well as the ongoing efforts of determined leaders and innovative entrepreneurs working to ensure rural America’s Main Streets continue to thrive.

Speakers:

• Rodd Moesel, Former President, Oklahoma Farm Bureau
• Dr. Doug Steele, Vice President, Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Association of Public &Land Grant Universities
• Joby Young, Executive Vice President, American Farm Bureau Federation

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Speaker Details:

Rod Moesel

Rod Moesel has served 8 years as Oklahoma State Farm Bureau President & on the National Board of American Farm Bureau Federation. He has served 16 years on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau State Board. Mr. Moesel led the effort to start the Rural Development Programs at Oklahoma Farm Bureau including 2 annual accelerators, one for agricultural start-ups, the other for rural start-ups & creation of a Rural Venture Fund. He supported the Launch Rural effort to bring all rural business support services together. He served over 18 years on CARET, the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension & Teaching including 2 terms as Chair of the Southern Region & now National Secretary. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall Of Fame. He served on the Dean’s Advisory Committee for Oklahoma State University College of Agriculture for over 35 years. Mr. Moesel founded & led the Oklahoma Governor’s Conference on Small Business for 4 years. Other distinctions include: SBA National Advisory Committee, Winner of Oklahoma Small Business Advocacy Award, Delegate To White House Conference on Small Business 2 times, and On OCAST, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology State Board.

He served as the overseas volunteer for ACDI/VOCA working with agricultural start-ups in Azerbaijan & Ukraine. He is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City, Leadership Oklahoma & Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program. He started & operated American Plant Products & Services, Inc for the last 52 years raising houseplants, designing & building commercial & research greenhouses & providing supplies & services for the horticulture industry and is the former President of Oklahoma Greenhouse Growers Association, North American Horticultural Supply Association, Horticultural Distributors Alliance & Oklahoma Business Council.

Doug Steele

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is a membership organization that fosters a community of university leaders collectively working to advance the mission of public research universities. Dr. Douglas Steele was appointed as Vice President for the Office of Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources on January 2, 2019. He strongly believes in the power of the Land-Grant University to provide access and affordability to higher education, increase the profitability of agricultural enterprises and transform families, youth and communities. His prior positions and appointments include Director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (2012-2018) and Vice President for External Relations and Director of Extension for Montana State University (2004-2012). Dr. Steele previously held Extension and faculty positions at Colorado State University, where he was assistant director and State 4‐H Program leader, and at Purdue University, where he served as an Extension specialist and assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Steele has received several awards of distinction including the Visionary Leadership Award, Montana State University Extension; the F. A. Anderson Distinguished Service Award, Colorado State University; Texans Caring for Texans honoree; and the National Friend of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Superior Service Award for Excellence, United States Department of Agriculture. Throughout his career he has received over 10 million dollars in funding to support curriculum development, rural development work and engagement activities. Dr. Steele has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science/Agri Business from Panhandle State University, Goodwell, OK; a Master of Agriculture degree in agronomy from West Texas State University, Canyon, TX; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. He currently resides in Bowie, MD with his wife, Lori, and has four grown children and four grandchildren.

Joby Young

Joby Young serves as the Executive Vice President of the American Farm Bureau Federation. He leads the AFBF staff, managing across all departments to achieve the goals of the President and Board of Directors and fulfill AFBF’s mission.

Joby has fifteen years of experience in food and agriculture policy, which includes leadership positions in the halls of Congress and the Executive Branch. He served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue after serving in that same role for the Deputy Secretary and several USDA offices. He also previously served as Chief of Staff in the House of Representatives and as a consultant in the private sector.

Joby is a graduate of the University of Georgia, with degrees in History and Communications, and he holds a law degree from the UGA School of Law. He is also a civil affairs officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.