Aaron Wicke is an agricultural field rep who works with farmers and ranchers to understand and mitigate environmental pressures that often affect crops and grasslands. With a diverse professional background in finance, videography, and technical writing, Aaron firmly believes that versatility in your personal and professional life leads to greater opportunities and understanding within any field of work.

Aaron is a well respected member of the Colorado agriculture community, helping hundreds of farmers and ranchers to achieve their goals, both through agronomic advice and ag loan navigation during his time in the financial sector. He currently holds Qualified Supervisor applicator licensing with the state of Colorado, allowing him to be direct field support for ag producers. An active supporter of Agriculture Aviation in particular, he is currently a member in both national and state ag aviation associations, and serves as a board member for the Colorado Ag Aviation Association. Likewise, he is an active member of several financial literacy communities, has served multiple local charities through volunteer efforts, and has sold his published writings all across the United States and Internationally.

Alessandra Desiderio is a policy strategist, entrepreneur, and development finance professional who works with rural communities, policymakers, and organizations to advance sustainable economic growth, strengthen water and agricultural policy, and support crisis response initiatives. A Colorado farm owner, she founded the Aquitecture Committee, an initiative developing innovative water policy solutions and resource management strategies.

She believes in the power of strategic policy, financial innovation, and global collaboration to create lasting impact. She has secured funding for economic development, testified on water and agriculture policy, expanded revolving loan funds, incubated agricultural entrepreneurs, and contributed to peace-building initiatives.

Alessandra holds a Bachelor Degree and is a Certified Project Management Professional, Certified Development Finance Professional, Certified Fundraising Executive, and an FAA-licensed Drone Pilot.

Ben Elliott is an entrepreneur focusing on beef cattle production and high-quality meat sales. He works with executive chefs, grocery stores, school districts, and individual households providing high quality meat. Ben knows the importance that end users have a connection with the origin of their food and the people that produce it.

Ben has sold meat and cattle internationally, nationally and locally, Including Costco, Sprouts, and the European union. He has placed cattle in 32 states, Canada, Mexico, and Turkey. Ben is a trained livestock and meat judge.

Ben holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science and ag business from Colorado State University.

Cyndi Hofmeister is a multi-generation Colorado native who lives close to the Morgan County ranch her grandfather homesteaded in 1906. She is a strong “ag-vocate” of sustainable agriculture and increasing agriculture literacy. Currently she serves as the Education Coordinator for the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture, Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom where she helped provide free ag literacy resources for over 40,000 students in 2025.

Hofmeister grew up on a farm where her family grows potatoes along with a variety of other field crops, raises Texas Longhorns and also markets beef on the family ranch. As a grant coordinator and writer, she writes federal, state and local grants for various entities including the Colorado Community College System as well as served as a CASE Federal Funding Taskforce Team Leader in Washington D.C., developing liaison opportunities with a variety of federal offices and funders.

Hofmeister served on executive leadership teams within the Rocky Mountain Brown Swiss Association and the Mountains and Plains Texas Longhorn Association. She was an FFA Dairy Evaluation Coach, 4H Leader, 4H Youth Advisory Council Leader and served on the local Extension Advisory Board. She currently helps with the family farming operation and their family business, Hofmeister Appraisal Service, LLC specializing in Colorado agricultural property appraisals. Hofmeister holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Education from Colorado State University and a Master of Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

Jake Erker is a farmer who owns and operates Middle J Farms to produce grain for human and livestock consumption. Jake believes that producing a healthy food supply is not only the most important industry, but also the most fulfilling career in our world. He knows that by raising his crops and his family on the farm, he can ensure their sustainability for the future. Deep ties to the farmland in Colorado have driven Jake to pursue a career as a care-taker of our delicate soil.

Jake has started business that operate farms, invest in real estate, and provide custom farming services, all striving toward the goal of sustainable and profitable agriculture in Colorado.

Jake has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Business from Colorado State University.

Josey Pukrop serves Jefferson County as a 4-H Youth Development Specialist with CSU Extension. She believes informal education to be key to youth growth and loves helping kids discover new topics of interest through project exploration. She appreciates sharing agriculture with Denver’s urban students and is part of a team that completes outreach to over 20,000 participants, annually. Her 4-H programs have received regional and national recognition.

Josey comes from a cash crop hay operation and equine background and, after obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from University of Wisconsin – River Falls and her Master of Science in Ruminant Nutrition from Purdue University, worked at a beef cattle operation in northeastern Wyoming prior to coming to Colorado.

Kathleen Voight is a conservation professional who partners with ranching families, governmental agencies, and non-profits to improve conservation values and agricultural resiliency on working lands. She believes agricultural land conservation is essential to healthy western landscapes and robust rural communities. Kathleen helped build the Additive Conservation program at the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, a state-wide land trust focused on developing innovative conservation tools to protect working landscapes.

Kathleen has a background in farming and ranching, grant writing and administration, and advocacy and policy. She was a 2022 Fellow to the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union leadership program.

Kathleen holds a Master of Environmental Science degree from the Yale School of the Environment.

Katie Strand is a Natural Resource Conservation Service soil conservationist who assists eastern Colorado farmers and ranchers to adopt conservation in their operations. Growing up on a family farm north of Otis, Colorado, Katie found a passion for farmers and the challenges they face daily. Katie has worked in both the corporate and academic worlds on drought research in wheat, corn, and grain sorghum. Katie helped develop technologies for plant physiological traits, completed field and controlled environment experiments and ran cutting edge equipment during her research tenure. In her current role, she focuses on helping producers with nutrient and pest management strategies, cover crops, organic management, and soil carbon amendment practices as well as other conservation practices. She assists producers in all aspects of government assistance in programs including CRP, CSP and EQIP.

Katie holds a Master’s of Science in Plant Breeding from Iowa State University and a Bachelors in Science in Soil and Crop Sciences from Colorado State University.

Kristina Ortiz is the Purchasing and Agriculture Manager at Care and Share Food Bank in Southern Colorado. Her work in food procurement helps both farmers and Southern Coloradans experiencing food insecurity by sourcing nourishing food to distribute to communities who need it most.

Kristina’s career began in food procurement as a civilian employee in Afghanistan, and returning to agricultural sourcing for the charitable food system over a decade later has only strengthened her belief that access to nutritious food is a fundamental right for everyone. Kristina has built relationships with a diverse group of local farmers through the Local Food Purchase Agreement USDA grant.

Kristina is a Produce Safety Rule certified trainer. She is honored to serve as Co-Chair of the National BIPOC and Local Grower Cohort, she is an Advisory Board Member for Nourish, COFSAC senate appointed council member and subcommittee member for the Colorado Fruits and Vegetable Grower Association (CFVGA).

Preston Blach is the owner and operator of a 5th generation farm and ranch in Northeastern Colorado, where he collaborates closely with his family to ensure the success of their agricultural operation. He plays an integral role in the daily operations, from managing tasks to making critical decisions about crop inputs and cattle breeding. Preston is a strong advocate for transparency between producers and consumers, believing it is essential for the success of Colorado agriculture. Having learned from the earlier generations, he possesses a deep understanding of effective water management and soil conservation practices. His commitment to conservation ensures that the land remains productive and healthy for future generations. By blending traditional methods with modern techniques, Preston aims to enhance the viability of the farm. His passion for agriculture drives him to create a legacy that honors his family's history while looking toward a sustainable future.

Alex Vieselmeyer is a fourth generation Angus rancher who works with cattle producers to provide high quality Angus genetics and build successful herds. As a servant leader and speaker, Alex believes agriculture’s most powerful tool is its voice to share its story and guide community growth. Alex previously served as a Colorado State FFA officer, worked as a marketing coordinator for Nebraska Sorghum, and substitute teaches at Holyoke High School. Being an American FFA degree recipient, a three-time national qualifying collegiate speech competitor and co-captain, he understands how to share one’s voice and tell a story. Alex holds a B.S. in agricultural science and a minor in accounting from Concordia University, Nebraska.

Analissa Flores Sarno is a post-doctoral scientist at Colorado States University's Western Colorado Research Center-Orchard Mesa in Grand Junction. Her work is driven by passion for applied agricultural research that can be used to find solutions to problems farmers face, and a strong interest in soil health and its role in sustainable agricultural systems. Education and community outreach are also important aspects of her work that she greatly values.

She is currently applying these interests to the study of fruit and vegetable production co-located with solar energy generation, a practice called agrivoltaics. Through this research, she hopes to provide producers in Western Colorado with another tool to mitigate crop damage from inclement and extreme weather while diversifying income and maintaining crop production.

Prior to her focus of agrivoltaics, Analissa contributed to regional vegetable variety trials, conducted targeted grazing user surveys, and participated in peach fruit quality and stone fruit cold hardiness projects. In addition to her work as a scientist, Analissa and her husband have recently purchased property in Orchard Mesa with the goal of restoring tree fruit production to the parcel.

Analissa holds a Doctorate and Master of Science in Microbiology from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from California State University, San Marcos.

Beth Ray is a farmer in Joes, Colorado and an instructor of Agriculture Business Management for Northeastern Junior College. She works with agricultural producers and business owners to learn bookkeeping and business strategies. Her love of building successful farming operations and teaming with producers has led to her current position, but her true love has been building an agricultural operation with her husband and two young sons. The operation includes a custom hay business and a farrow to finish Berkshire swine herd. Previous to working for NJC, Ray was a high school agriculture instructor and FFA advisor for 16 years.

She attended Northeastern Junior College and then earned a BS degrees in Agriculture Education and Animal Science from Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

Hania Oleszak is an Agricultural Program Manager who assists producers with the implementation of conservation practices on agricultural lands.

Hania is passionate about human health and environmental stewardship, both of which, she believes, can be significantly enhanced by a food system that prioritizes regenerative agriculture. Hania provides agricultural technical assistance, as well as financial assistance through federal, state, and local grants, to a diverse mix of producers. She also leads research studies to support local producers in their management decisions, organizes plant sales and equipment rentals to further land conservation, and facilitates trainings for local agricultural professionals. Prior to her current role, she conducted research in carbon cycling, soil microbiology, and plant breeding.

Hania holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Boston College and a Master of Science in Soil Science from Colorado State University.

Jenette Masarie is an Area Sales Manager at BioZyme Incorporated, a fermentation and livestock supplemental company. She oversees sales operations in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. Her role allows her to leverage her expertise in the agricultural industry while fostering relationships with various ranchers and driving business growth within the region.

Jenette holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences and Agricultural Literacy at Colorado State University. During her time at Colorado State, Jenette was actively involved in several judging teams, gaining valuable skills in evaluating livestock and agricultural products, which would later prove to be instrumental in her career.

She continues to stay involved in her community through youth livestock events. Her work with the Weld County Fair, the National Western Stock Show, and the Colorado State Fair demonstrate her leadership and organizational skills within livestock show management.

Her active membership in associations such as the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and the Wyoming Stock Growers Association speaks to her commitment to the future of agriculture. Her ability to stay connected with ranchers in her region allows her to be a valuable resource and advocate for the agricultural community.

Kathi LaPoint is a Field Agronomist who works with Pioneer Seed to provide management information and support for farmers in Colorado. Kathi believes agricultural producers are the lifeblood of the nation and is proud to bring innovative solutions and genetics to the farm. With an emphasis on placing the right hybrid on the right acre, she is passionate about helping farmers remain profitable while also offering high-quality products for end users and consumers. Since joining Pioneer, Kathi has been recognized as a Trusted Innovator for her work with growers and sales representatives.

Kathi holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Kathy Whitman is the Veterinary Extension Specialist for Colorado State University, where she strives to be a trusted animal health resource to those involved in livestock and agriculture production. At Colorado State University, Kathy has participated in a wide range of activities, primarily working as a liaison between the university, extension, and livestock stakeholders. She’s recently been involved in HPAI research, emergency management and preparedness, BQA training, 4-H activities, veterinary student teaching, extension education and consultation. Raising a few head of cattle for direct-to-consumer products with her husband gives Kathy some small insight into the needs of the producers with which she’s engaging.

Kathy received her MS in Ruminant Nutrition and DVM from Colorado State University. She completed a Field Services internship at the University of Georgia, and later became an ABVP diplomate specializing in Beef Cattle Practice. Dr. Whitman was in private practice in both Utah and Colorado and was an Assistant Professor with the University of Nebraska at the Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center, prior to joining Colorado State.

Kayla Frink is an Assistant Farm and Forage Seed Manager for Buffalo Brand Seed based out of Greeley, Co. She works closely with seed companies and farmers to buy and sell seed across the Western United States. Kayla truly believes the best customer services come from being prompt with deliveries and always being available for customers to get their products. Building strong relationships with people is what has built a strong agriculture industry.

Kayla also has knowledge in the cattle feeding business and meat processing industry. She has been involved in agriculture her whole life and garnered her knowledge and appreciation through 4-H and collegiate livestock judging at Northeastern Junior College and Colorado State University.

Kayla is still heavily involved in her family’s show lamb operation and attributes her hard work and dedicated mind set to being involved in the livestock industry her whole life.

Kayla holds a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and agricultural business from Colorado State University.

Megan Capps is an accomplished agricultural educator with a passion for fostering leadership, technical skills, and hands-on learning experiences in high school students. Currently teaching at Highland High School in Ault, Colorado, she develops and delivers engaging curricula in Agricultural Sciences, manages a highly successful FFA Chapter, and works closely with local producers to promote locally sourced beef within her school district. As a recognized leader in agricultural advocacy, she has traveled statewide to promote agricultural education, conducted leadership development workshops, and engaged with policymakers in Washington D.C on behalf of Colorado Farm Bureaus Elite Leadership Academy. Megan is dedicated to empowering students, strengthening agricultural education, and advocating for the future of the agricultural industry. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Robin Renzelman is a 6th Generation Farmer/Rancher in Eastern Colorado. She works with her Husband, Daughter and Son-in-law to run a cow/calf operation and a dryland/irrigated farm. On the farm they grow wheat, corn, alfalfa, pinto beans & black eyed peas. Robin runs/manages/supports the marketing, administrative and sales aspects of the business.

She takes great pride in her dedication and strong work ethic. Robin is dedicated to being a good steward of the land and enjoys watching the crops thrive each year.

Robin also owns a real estate company where she sells farm/ranch, commercial and residential properties. Robin is a Graduate of the Real Estate Institute and a Masters in Negotiation. She is an Agent of Excellence from the Disney Institute as well.