The Farm Forum is Coming Back!

The 2025 Farm Forum is heading back to Edison State College!
Apple Farm Service, Brookside Labs, and Edison State Community College are proud to invite you to the 2025 Farm Forum! An annual event bringing education, insight, and community together for a day of practical learning and forward-looking discussions.
This year’s Farm Forum will be held Thursday, December 18th, 2025 at Edison State Community College in Piqua, Ohio. Farmers, ag professionals, and students alike will gather for a full day of presentations and conversations covering the latest in agriculture technology, economics, and farm management strategies.



2025 Farm Forum Event Schedule
8:00 – 9:00 AM – Registration & Light Breakfast (Theatre Foyer)
9:00 – 9:30 AM – Opening Remarks with Doc Sanders: “Beyond the Barn” (Theatre)
9:45 – 10:30 AM – Session 1
–AI and Data Security on the Farm: Dr. John Fulton (Rm 20)
–Commodity Markets: Roger Wright (Theatre)
–Crop Disease: Horacio Lopez-Nicora PhD (Convocation Rm)10:45 – 11:30 AM – Session 2
–Economics on the Farm: Bruce Clevenger (Convocation Rm)
–Managing Weather Stress on Forage: Dr. Emma Matchum (Rm 20)
–Future of Ag Drones & Drone Bans: Brad Baker (Theatre)11:30 – 12:30 PM – Lunch & Presentations, Michael Behrens, Weather Trends in Ohio & What to Expect (Theatre)
12:45 – 1:30 PM – Session 3
–AllPro Seeding Rx: John McGuire (Rm 20)
–Navigating Solar and Data Farms, What Farmers Need to Know: Howard Halderman (Convocation Rm)
–Commodity Markets: Roger Wright (Theatre)1:45 – 2:30 PM – Closing Panel Discussions (Theatre)
CEU Credits Available!
AI and Data Security on the Farm – .5 Sustainability CEUs
Managing Weather Stress on Forage – .5 Crop Management CEUs
Commodity Markets – .5 Crop Management CEUs
Ecomomics on the Farm – .5 Crop Management CEUs
Beyond the Barn – .5 Professional Development CEUs
Soybean Cyst Nematode & Other Soilborne Pathogens – .5 Integrated Pest Management CEUs
Navigating Solar & Data Farms – .5 Sustainability CEUs
Future of Ag Spray Drones – .5 Precision Ag CEUs
Leveraging Sub-Field Data – .5 Precision Ag CEUs
Event Speakers and Topics!

Dr. John Fulton – AI and Data Security on the Farm
-John Fulton is an experienced academic and researcher dedicated to advancing input stewardship at the farm level through innovative technology. His work centers on equipping farmers with modern practices and tools to manage nutrients and pesticides effectively, fostering on-farm environmental stewardship.
Dr. Emma Matchum – Managing Weather Stress on Forage
-Dr. Emma Matchum studies complex agri-environmental systems as part of collaborative and dynamic research teams. As a new PI at the University of Florida, she is building research and Extension programs focused on nutrient cycling and fertilizer management across agroecosystems to maintain sustainability and profitability in agronomic crop production.
John McGuire, and the Brookside Team – All Pro Seeding RX
-As Chief Innovation Officer, John searches for new ways to improve productivity, sustainably, and profitability for Amplify consultants and their clients. He has been an integral part of the development of Brookside Labs’ data management and recommendation software, AIPro.
Roger Wright – Commodity Marketing
-Roger Wright serves as a grain marketing consultant with keen insights into the business side of farming. Roger was raised on a dairy and hog farm in West Central Ohio. Roger is an expert with a wealth of knowledge in the grain industry.
Bruce Clevenger – Economics on the Farm
-Bruce Clevenger is a Field Specialist in Farm Management with Ohio State University Extension and an Associate Professor. Clevenger has led numerous programs on farm accounting, risk management, and on-farm research, and he is an active contributor to statewide initiatives such as the Ohio Ag Manager Team and the OSU Agronomic Crops Team.
Howard Halderman – Solar Fields on the Farm: What to Do
-Howard Halderman, AFM, serves as President of Halderman Farm Management Service (HFMS) and Vice President of Halderman Real Estate Services (HRES), where he oversees daily operations, strategic growth, and client services. Since joining the Halderman Companies in 1988, he has led HFMS to expand its managed assets from $250 million to over $1 billion,now encompassing more than 650 farms across 18 states and over 250,000 acres.
- Brad Baker – Future of Ag Drones & Drone Bans
-Brad Baker is one of the few fully vetted service technicians for Hylio Drones, an USA-based Ag Spray manufacture in Texas. Brad Baker has been with Apple Farm Service since 2023 as the Hylio Drone Department Manager. Previously, Mr. Baker had careers in precision and parts departments at other local Ag equipment dealerships

- Dr. Don Sanders- Beyond The Barn
-Diplomate in Theriogenology (DACT) is a board-certified animal reproduction specialist. There are about 500 of these specialists worldwide. PAS is a retired large animal veterinary practitioner, farmer, author, and radio personality. In 1981 he became a board-certified theriogenologist in the American College of Theriogenology. There are approximately 500 board-certified Theriogenologists world-wide.

- Horacio Lopez –Nicora- Crop Disease
-Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Soybean Pathology and Nematology at The Ohio State University. His research integrates plant pathology, nematology, epidemiology, and applied statistics to improve soybean health and productivity. He focuses on early detection of pathogens, understanding plant-pathogen interactions, and the ecological dynamics of disease development.

- Michael Behrens -Weather Trends in Ohio & What to Expect
-Michael Behrens is excited to join the Farm Forum as our chief meteorologist. Michael works at WBNS, the local CBS affiliate in Columbus as a member of the 10 Weather Impact team since February of 2024. Prior, Michael has extensive metrology experience with other local broadcast weather teams in Fort Wayne, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, and Tyler Texas. He graduated from Ball State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Geography with concentrations in Professional Track Meteorology and Geographic Information Sciences.
Where’s it at?
Edison State Community College is located at: 1973 Edison Dr., Piqua, Ohio 45356


Why Attend?
Farm Forum 2025 offers practical insights from industry leaders, timely updates on emerging issues, and opportunities to connect with fellow farmers and ag experts. Whether you’re focused on crop management, economics, or new technologies, this event provides actionable knowledge you can take back to your operation.
Join us for a day of learning, networking, and preparing for the future of agriculture!