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Since 1994, John Phipps has been providing unique speaking and writing services to agriculture, agribusiness, and rural communities. From seminars and keynotes, to articles and commentary, John generates up-to-the-minute provocative presentations that stimulate interest and response. Interlaced with wit and perspective, John's presentations can breathe life into tired meeting formats and touch deftly on areas of farm and rural living that trouble and excite us. His experiences in the trenches as a commercial grain farmer lend both credibility and empathy to his comments.

Familiar to farm audiences from the pages of Farm Journal (John's World) and Top Producer (Perspective), John has established himself as an independent observer who does not flinch from asking the hard questions or suggesting honest answers, even challenging the status quo. By mixing his gift for humor with his passion to help farmers lead happier lives, John works to understand and be understood. His presentations are neither rote recitations nor stand-up comedy, but a fast-paced, laugh-filled adventure to new thoughts.

In August 2005, John also began hosting US Farm Report, the nation's longest-running farm show. Appearing weekly across America, US Farm Report is evolving to match the changing nature of agriculture in America.

Sortly after assuming duties at US Farm Report, John began a blog - John's World - which offers unique information and commentary to farm, agribusiness, and general audiences.  It's hard to describe but already a favorite page on AgWeb.

A singular blend of humor and insight permeates his work on paper and at the podium. As an independent farmer, he has no political agenda or economic motive - just a determination to provide forthright commentary as part of  his commitment to the profession he loves. He sells no product or service but his opinion, and more importantly, his hopes for the agriculture industry.

Favorites and New Themes

"What If This Is Normal?" - Many farmers are waiting for things to return to normal in US agriculture. Some have begun to realize that may be a long wait. Suppose the future is going to look a lot like 2007? John examines aspects of farming that may be forever changed as well as some traditions that are holding fast in a presentation that helps listeners develop new and effective attitudes about their own ag future.

"Make Up Your Mind: How to be there when your brain makes a decision" The choices aren't getting any easier in agriculture, but thanks to new research, we can all have a better understanding of how our brains go about the business of choosing. From selling during a down market to thinking clearly when racing a rain, new insights in brain function can help your operation, group, and personal relationships. John brings in information from diverse sources to help listeners balance their innate tendencies and intellectual talents with powerful decision tools.

"The Prediction Problem: Why the future isn't what it used to be" - The trouble with thinking about the future is lving in the present. Despite powerful new forecasting tools, humans still struggle to escape the influence of the present. New research about brains and behavior offer some clues to help all of us learn why we are so poor at predicting our own future, and especially our own happiness. John shares insights to improve our personal forecasting skills and adaptation abilities. Best of all, he draws upon wisdom and technology both to enable the possibilities for contentment in any future.

"Must-Have Power Tools for 2008" - The tools you will need to thrive in agriculture in the 21st Century may not be all that familiar right now. Technical expertise is just the starting point. Learn what surprising skills and abilities are enabling leading producers to stay ahead of the competition and more importantly, add joy to their lives. From better listening to luck leveraging, this catalog of non-traditional management techniques contains valuable additions to any agricultural career toolbox.

Have a special meeting or theme planned? Let John craft a presentation to fit your specific objectives.

Motivational Speeches

"Prosperity for Dummies: Managing success after a long layoff - The ethanol price boom has changed expectations and results on most farms. While some look back to the 1970's for similar farm economic comparisons, others see few parallels. The skills that kept farms going through the last part of the 20th Century may not be all we need to manage this magnitude of change. In fact, some basic farmer assumptions may have to change. John helps listeners - even the most skeptical - adopt attitudes and practices that can optimize their chances for tru prosperity. It turns out $6 corn may not solve all problems.

"What Are We Thinking? - Agriculture's "Dr. Phil" Moment. The motto for many in agriculture might be "Don't look back!". Markets and business conditions that no forecaster even imagined are now commonplace, and flabbergasted producers spend too much time lamenting past decisions.  Thanks to recent brain reseach we now know these regrets are hardwired - a relic of brains designed to cope with shortages and hardship, not prosperity and plenty. However, armed with some insights and a handful of decision techniques, we can minimize the second-guessing and opimize our chance to live in this moment and prepare for the next. John helps audiences make peace with their past choices and approach tomorrow's decsions with excitement and realism. We can decide today "what we are thinking" so that tomorrow looking back makes sense.

Seminars, Break-out sessions, and Workshops
"What Are the Odds? (A Guide to Better Worrying)" - An engineer's (think "Dilbert") look at the flood of statistical information that inundates us daily. John gives easy, helpful rules to enable listeners to judge risks more accurately.

"The Time of our Lives" - Time management techniques designed for the world of agriculture. Using current research, John can help audiences think about how to optimize their time senses for happier results.

Master of Ceremony
John can host your general session and add zing to panel discussions on even the driest technical topics. His natural humor and energy coupled with vigorous research will make the difference between audience engagment and turn-off for the crucial information you need to convey. Using a hybrid style to fit your format - mixing "McGlaughlin", "Oprah" and "Leno" and his own familiar wit - John can glue your disparate presenters/panelists into a coherent and engaging package. His work at the Commodity Classic has energized the General Session. He also has guided panel discussions for the Wisconsin Corn-Soy Conference and Illinois Corn Growers.