Minding Ag's Business

The most valuable book in my office doesn't have a hard cover or an author. Its collated binding is straight out of a college library's copy shop, and its inconspicuous green-and-white cover hides the value inside.

I'm fortunate to have four of these books, filled with photos, contact information and background on farmers from across the country that attended The Executive Program for Ag Producers, more commonly known as TEPAP, with me.

Throughout my career, the people that fill the pages of these books have provided me with countless ideas, deep discussions and friendships. The lessons, especially on estate planning, motivated me to make changes in my life that have paid massive dividends, and I don't run or work on a farm.

"Success requires continuous management improvement at a rate set by the leading edge of your competition and not by your current comfort zone," TEPAP's late founder Danny Klinefelter said.

TEPAP is a week-long business bootcamp designed to help farmers and ranchers think creatively about farm finance, family business governance, human resources, sales, negotiation and so much more. Attendees come from all over the country, and sometimes world, to discuss the details of their businesses and brainstorm creative solutions to problems that are more common than you might think.

There are so many topics to cover that there are two separate tracks designed to be taken in different years. Whether they're consecutive or spread out over time is a choice everyone gets to make. But like I said earlier, the real benefit is the people you meet.

The program for 2026 will be held Jan. 3-10 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, Texas. The program is accepting applications until Oct. 31 or until spaces are filled. You can find all of the details on the schedule, registration and more here: https://tepap.tamu.edu/….

Katie Dehlinger can be reached at katie.dehlinger@dtn.com

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