Speakers

Kristiana Coutu, ISU Beginning Farmer Center	Kristiana is the director of the Beginning Farmer Center and counsel for the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University. Kristiana has focused her career on meeting the changing needs of agriculture, and her experience includes lending for the farm credit system, practicing as a certified public accountant, practicing law, and engaging in ag policy work. Kristiana is a fourth-generation farmer and understands firsthand the challenges family farms face.
Tim Christensen, ISU Extension and Outreach	Tim Christensen is a Farm Management Specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Southwest Iowa, For the last 6 years Tim has worked educating Iowa farmers in areas of Farm Succession, Grain and Livestock Marketing, Farm Bill, Cost of Production, and many other subjects. Tim has also been a leader in development and deliver of Farm Stress and Mental Health Awareness in the agriculture community. Before coming to Iowa State Tim worked in a range of management roles in the Agricultural industry and has a B.S. in Animal Science from Northwest Missouri State University.
Kiley Fleming, Iowa Mediation Service	In 2015, Iowa Mediation Service hired Kiley to serve as the Executive Director. With a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, Master of Science degree in Human Resource Development, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Kiley has the expertise to design impactful conflict management and communication training. She is also well-equipped to conduct conflict resolution and mediation sessions, as she has done for the majority of her Human Resources and consulting career.
Brian Gossling, Farm Service Agency	Brian serves as the Director for the Farm Loan Programs of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Iowa. Brian grew up on a diversified crop and livestock farm in northeast Iowa. He graduated from Central College with a BA in Business Management in 1991 and has over 30 years of ag lending experience.
Christa Hartsook, ISU Extension & Outreach	Christa Hartsook is the co-director of the Food and Enterprise Development Center at ISU Extension and Outreach and Heartland Regional Food Business Center. She helps connect people to resources as they grow farm businesses into food businesses. She received her B.S. and M.S. Degrees from Iowa State University.
Dr. Chad Hart	Chad Hart was born and raised in southwest Missouri and his parents raised a few cattle and operated a small meat locker. Chad received a B.S. in economics with minors in mathematics, history, and astronomy from Southwest Missouri State University in 1991. He received a Ph.D. in economics and statistics in 1999 from Iowa State University. His main research areas are in agricultural marketing and risk management.
Tom Halat, Toms Farm Market & Greenhouse	Tom Halat’s passion for farming began at just 10 years old in Bartlett, Illinois, where he grew up on a small “farmette” and joined the local 4-H club. Through 4-H, he learned essential skills like leadership, public speaking, and business management while raising livestock and selling produce. Determined to turn his dream into reality, Tom rented land throughout high school to grow vegetables, corn, and soybeans, using the profits to fund his education. He earned a degree in Plant and Soil Science from Southern Illinois University in 1967, the same year he married his wife, Cheryl. In 1976, Tom and Cheryl purchased farmland in Huntley, Illinois, transforming it from a grain operation into a thriving vegetable farm and eventually into Tom’s Farm Market and Greenhouses. Over the decades, the business has flourished, expanding to include a bakery, garden center, and seasonal attractions such as the popular Fall Festival. Today, the farm is a beloved destination, celebrated for its fresh produce, community spirit, and family-centered values. Tom credits much of the farm’s success to Cheryl’s vision and dedication, even naming a memorial drive in her honor after her passing. A devoted community leader, Tom is known for his charitable contributions, supporting local organizations with donations of produce, plants, and baked goods. His commitment to quality, hard work, and giving back reflects the heart and soul of the family business he built. Now, nearly 50 years later, Tom’s Farm Market stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to farming and his community, inspiring future generations to embrace agriculture with passion and purpose.
Mitchell Halat, Center for Ag Law & Taxation	Mitchell is a Program Specialist at ISU’s Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation. Mitchell grew up on his family grain farm in northern Illinois, where his family grows corn and soybeans. Growing up, he and his two sisters showed pigs on a competitive show circuit throughout Illinois, at the state fair, and national shows throughout the United States. He also was a part of FFA throughout high school. Serving as president of his chapter helped guide him to grow his confidence, build his network, and gain valuable leadership skills. In the fall of 2021, he graduated from Iowa State University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications. Prior to joining CALT, Mitchell worked for Andretti Autosport, an IndyCar team, pursuing his passion for racing.
Patrick Hatting, ISU Extension and Outreach	Patrick is the Farm Management Specialist in Central Iowa where he works closely with 12 county extension offices. He joined the Farm Management Team at Iowa State University Extension & Outreach in December 2018. The Team educates Iowans on farm financial and risk management, instructs on government programs such as the farm bill and crop insurance, provides guidance on strategic and business planning, examines environmental management policies and informs on agricultural marketing tools and supply chains. Prior to ISU Extension, Patrick retired as a Financial Advisor for Northwestern Mutual after 31 years. Patrick’s financial background and experience with farm and business transition, succession, estate and insurance planning are a great asset for farmers wanting help transitioning their operation to the next generation. Patrick also spent 32 years as a member of the U.S. Air Force, Michigan and Iowa Air National Guard, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He has a BA in Economics from the University of Iowa, BBA in Finance from McMurry University and MBA in Management from Trident University. He is a Certified Farm Succession Coordinator. Patrick lives in Iowa City and West Des Moines, and he has three grown children. His hometown is Sibley, Iowa
Nicki Howell, Iowa Finance Authority	Nicki Howell is a Program Specialist for the Iowa Agricultural Development Division of the Iowa Finance Authority. She has been assisting the Division since 2019 and began managing the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program in August of 2022.
Ann Johanns, ISU Extension and Outreach	Ann Johanns serves Iowa State University Extension and Outreach as a program specialist. She coordinates the extensive library of materials available on the Ag Decision Maker website and conducts research on emerging agricultural issues. Ann and her husband operate a grain and livestock farm in Mitchell County, Iowa.
Tammy Nebola, Iowa Finance Authority	Tammy Nebola is a Program Specialist for the Iowa Agricultural Development Division of the Iowa Finance Authority. She started with the Division in 2008 and manages the two loan programs, the Beginning Farmer Loan Program (Aggie Bond Program) and the Loan Participation Program. Iowa continues to have the most active Aggie Bond program in the nation. Tammy has assisted many other states with best practices when creating or enhancing their Aggie Bond programs. Tammy serves as a Board Member and Treasurer for the National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs. They are an association of public and private agricultural financing entities working passionately for the promotion and financing of agricultural development.
Kristine Tidgren, ISU Center for Ag Law & Taxation	Kristine is an adjunct associate professor in the Agricultural Education & Studies Department and the director for the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation. Kristine’s work focuses on studying and interpreting laws impacting the agricultural industry. In particular, she focuses on agricultural taxation.