CLAAS Harvest Horizons 2025

Willie Vogt, an Ag Technology Observer with over 40 years of experience, is a trusted voice in agricultural journalism. He has a diverse background, covering innovative approaches in agriculture and the growing ag startup community. Willie's expertise lies in understanding tech developments and their impact on farms.

With a 43-year career, Willie's commentary spans autonomy, biologicals, farm business, and data in agriculture. He excels in panel moderation and engaging small/large groups. His potential topics include autonomy's optimal size for farms, the evolving biologicals market, and the role of big data in agriculture. Willie is also skilled in breaking down automation vs. autonomy and delivering key speeches on technological shifts in agriculture.

As an emcee and moderator, Willie brings energy and insight to meetings, ensuring their success. He has interviewed CEOs and experts in agriculture, making him adept at engaging audiences and facilitating meaningful discussions. Willie's passion and expertise make him a vital asset in advancing agricultural understanding and readiness for the future.

Tony Jesina is the Senior Vice President of Insurance and Consumer Lending at AgCountry Farm Credit Services/Farm Credit Services of America/Frontier Farm Credit. Tony’s role provides strategic leadership and oversight of the 3 Association’s crop insurance agency and the consumer lending program at Farm Credit Services of America/Frontier Farm Credit.  His Farm Credit career began in Marshalltown, Iowa in 1992, where he worked as a loan officer. From there, Tony has held roles of VP – Business Development, VP – Country Home Loans, and SVP – Related Services, all at Farm Credit Services of America/Frontier Farm Credit. He was born and raised in central Iowa on an average-sized diversified farm, consisting of corn, soybeans, hogs, and beef cattle. Tony graduated from Iowa State University in December 1991, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and a minor in Economics.  He is a graduate of strategic and leadership courses at Dartmouth College, Harvard University, and Northwestern University. Tony is a past president of the Tama County Pork Producers, past church youth group leader, and currently serves on the Bryan High School Urban Ag Advisory Board. Tony has been married to his wife LeAnn since 1992 and they reside in Omaha, NE with their three children.

Imagine a talk show host mixed with an Agricultural economist with a healthy dose of comedian. That’s Damian Mason.

Damian delivers crisp, current, Ag commentary intersected with humor. His positive, hilarious, straight talk resonates with Ag audiences from across the spectrum.

In addition to speaking at Ag meetings, Damian produces and hosts his own - “The Business of Agriculture” podcast and the “Do Business Better” podcast. He hosts the "Cutting the Curve" podcast with XtremeAG.farm, an informational platform for future-focused farmers.

Damian is the author of multiple books. His two most recent are: “Do Business Better” and “Food Fear.” He’s also extremely active on social media, Fox News, NewsMax and Cheddar News spreading information and dispelling misinformation about the world’s most important industry: Agriculture.

Damian’s clients cover every space on the table - from corn to cranberries, cotton to cattle, canned food to canola. He’s spoken in all 50 U.S. states, 5 Canadian provinces, and 7 foreign countries.

Damian was raised on a dairy farm, owns and manages 300 acres of farm and timber land, and has a degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University. He also studied comedy writing and improvisation at The Second City–Chicago. When Damian isn’t on an airplane or stage, he lives with his wife, Lori, and their dogs, Jack and Rosa. They split time between their Indiana farm and a winter home in Arizona.