Subject Matter Experts
Access to food and agriculture thought leadership –from policy to plate – for presentations, panels, & articles
We are Food & Ag – Advisors and Accountants
With roots dating back to 1932, Pinion has made it our mission to immerse to positively impact the future of farming and food production—from policy to plate.
» Experts in the food and agriculture sector
» Assurance providers
» On-farm financial advisors
» Tax strategists
» Accounting professionals
» Government policy advocates
» Land, conservation, and renewable energy advisors
» USDA and farm program guides
» Risk management consultants
» Succession and estate planners
» Family business, wealth, and legacy advisors
» Sustainability for agribusinesses developers
Who We Work With
Pinion is embedded throughout the U.S. food-supply chain and globally, working with producers (farmers, ranchers, and livestock producers), input suppliers, processors, packagers, distributors, biofuel manufacturers, ag equipment dealerships, landowners, lenders, and many agencies and policy organizations.
For many decades, we have worked side-by-side with farmers, processors and other advocacy groups, helping them make important business decisions, manage their financial resources, and engage with their supply chain and other key stakeholders. We have deep expertise in global trade, trade-related advocacy, business valuation, government and public affairs, and sustainability.
Food & Ag Markets We Serve
Pinion offers financial, operational, and succession planning solutions for businesses in:
» Animal Protein—the protein agriculture market, including meat, fiber, milk, eggs, and other animal products.
» Commodity Crops—producers of grain, wheat, soybeans, corn, potatoes, cotton, and other row crops.
» Permanent and Specialty Producers—vegetable, fruit, nut, nurseries, producers, and manufacturers achieve financial prosperity and longevity.
» Food & Beverage Manufacturing—secondary processing, harvest/processing plants, CPG brands, breweries, wineries, distilleries, foodservice, wholesalers, retailers, distributors
Boots on the Ground Expertise: 90+ Years Dedicated to Food & Ag
Many of our advisors have stood in farming/ranching boots — we know producers’ businesses because many of us grew up on farms or are still actively involved in our own farms and ranches.
Learn more about us at:
Food & Ag Consulting: Specialized Advisory Services | Pinion Global
Our Most Requested Topics
Ag Policy: Government & Public Affairs
Brian Kuehl works closely with members of Congress, federal officials, and state policymakers to shape policies that benefit agricultural interests, leveraging strategic connections to maintain a strong presence in government relations. Monitoring opportunities for America’s farmers, Brian advocates on impactful issues like Ag tax policies, the Farm Bill, and government programs.
Brian Discusses Political Insights for Ag Businesses
» Policy analysis – legislation and proposed regulations that impact farmers, ranchers, processors, and suppliers long-term.
» Detailed modeling and explanation of how geopolitical policy changes will impact agribusiness.
Next Gen Farm Strategy: Estate & Succession Planning
Kevin Bearley, J.D., works with farm family operations on sophisticated tax solutions and complex family dynamics involved in estate and succession planning. His passion to help family agribusinesses survive and thrive both inspires and motivates families to act.
Kevin Discusses Strategies to Protect Business Assets Ahead of Succession and Limit Risk
» How to ensure operating assets and cash flow are accessible to onfarm heirs for the long-term, create prosperous farm operations, and ensure monetary benefits to other off-farm heirs.
» Developing your family business goals and financial strategies while maximizing tax benefits at present and into the future.
Land Advisory & Solutions: Enhance, Conserve & Protect
Quint Shambaugh provides strategic guidance, facilitation, and advisory services for land and water improvements, agricultural capital improvements, USDA programs, right-of-way mitigation, conservation easements and credits, and renewable energy projects.
Quint Discusses Program Options and Opportunities to Improve the
Profitability, Farmability, and Growth of Land
» Explore agriculturally-focused land opportunities, recommendations for risk management, and NRCS program guidance and conservation strategies.
» Learn pro tips for successful asset improvement projects for water, soil, and land.
Farm Program Policy Guidance: USDA and FSA Opportunities
Phil Newendyke works with farm operations to resolve local FSA office issues, facilitates management meetings, and navigates complex appeals – unlocking every potential opportunity for farmers and ranchers under the USDA and FSA guidelines
Phil Discusses Updates on USDA Farm Programs and Legislative Changes
» Information on how to meet eligibility requirements and navigate new program rules and regulations.
» How to maximize benefits available to your operation through FSA and NRCS programs.
» Maximize opportunities that are available while avoiding potential pitfalls.
Important Topics For Agribusiness Growth & Sustainability
Farm Financial Business Management Topics
FAQs we address
Financial Management
» Can you help me determine which of my crops are making or losing money?
» I need help with cost allocation and breaking out my variable expenses.
» I need help analyzing my financials and thinking through major financial and operational decisions.
» I need help with loan renewals and applications.
» How much debt can my operation handle?
Operational Management
» How can I get my farm set up to be handed off to the next generation?
» Should I buy new or repair my old farm equipment?
» How much land and equipment are enough for me to run and own?
» I need a more cost effective back-office solution.
Ag Tax Compliance & Strategy Topics
In addition to new tax code guidance, FAQs we address:
Business Structure & Operations Tax Strategy
» Do I have the right tax and legal entity structure for my business operations and cash flow needs?
» How do I optimize my structure to capitalize on changes to my business’ revenue growth or cash needs?
» What should I do to prepare for an acquisition?
» How can I prepare to transition my business to the next generation?
» Does my tax plan account for the future?
» Are there tax strategies for transitioning to the next generation I should consider?
» Is my tax strategy well-aligned with my business objectives?
» Are there tax opportunities I am missing?
» What tax changes are coming that could impact my business goals?
Sustainability Topics for Farmers, Growers, Ranchers & Agribusinesses
Helping producers protect and invest in their land while satisfying food value chain partners and consumers:
Risk Management Topics
We assist producers, processors, traders and end-users in managing agricultural, energy and specialty commodity price risk with strategic advisory, margin management, and proprietary research.
» Grain & oilseeds
» Dairy & livestock
» Ethanol & biodiesel
» Food industry
» Diesel & fuel surcharges
» Natural gas
» Carbon & environmental credits
» Emerging & specialty commodities
Pinion Risk Management advisors provide the marketing solutions you might be lacking: breakeven analysis, profit summaries, annual grain or livestock merchandising plans, or a customized hedge report. Our primary objective is to manage the risk around your production, and help your hard work pay off.
» Develop and implement GHG mitigation strategies and MRV approaches
» Engage growers to participate in carbon offset and inset programs
» Manage carbon offsets and insetting programs
» Perform double materiality assessments
» Prioritize impacts, risks, and opportunities
» Address sustainability challenges and develop programs that utilize a food/ ag-designed data solution
» Improve and simplify customer reporting
» Meet regulatory and voluntary reporting needs
» Perform climate and water risk assessments
» Align with leading frameworks like TCFD
» Meet upcoming regulatory requirements (CSRD, California SB 261)
Important Topics For Agribusiness Growth & Sustainability
Accounting Financial Performance Topics
As a nationally-recognized ‘Top 70’ accounting firm in the U.S., our professional accounting advisors can address many of the office challenges in the business environment – helping owners and managers to contend with economic uncertainties and labor challenges. We can also address ways to optimize, expand, and transition operations to enable growth or competitive strategies.
Back Office Solutions for Accounting, Finance & HR Needs
For farms struggling with inefficiencies in accounting processes, those unable to find trained professionals in their area, or in need of strategic business insights for better decision-making—areas where they commonly seek guidance and information:
Finances People and Operations
» I don’t have the time or expertise to enter my accounting transactions.
» I need a better understanding of where my company is sitting financially so I can make informed decisions before it’s too late.
» There’s a lot of economic uncertainty and I need some clarity to plan for a sustainable future.
» How can I avoid fines, penalties, and claims by staying compliant with everevolving laws and regulations?
Wealth Management Topics
» Our key contact in accounting is retiring.
» We don’t have the bandwidth to manage HR functions effectively.
» I don’t have time to manage or adequately train someone in our accounting department.
» Our data gets entered into multiple systems and the systems don’t integrate with each other.
» Manual entries for payroll and timekeeping are inefficient and can lead to errors and penalties.
Next Gen, Estate & Family Business Advising Topics
Discuss the process of creating a plan to sustain farmers, their business, their heirs, and their legacy – on both a financial and emotional level:
Discovery Difficult Situations Leadership Transition Transition Navigation
We’ll help you define the change you’d like to see, identify your vision for the future, and perform a business valuation to assess your transition options and align long-term goals.
Work with seasoned experts who can help you handle sensitive matters and difficult family decisions, explore options, and facilitate discussions.
Get help developing the timelines, resources, future leaders, and processes you will need to meet your goals and successfully transition your business.
Big changes lead to many difficult emotional, financial, and operational challenges. We’ll help you, your family, and your business adequately prepare.
Diving into your overall financial picture—for you and your business. This involves coordinating the design of a retirement plan with a tax plan. Our wealth managers help simplify the complexities around financial planning with discussions on:
» Financial planning
» Managing investments
» Strategies with insurance
» Qualified retirement plan FAQs and guidance
Estate Planning Succession and Timing Legacy Building
Proactively preserve your wealth, manage and structure multiple entities, and plan for the distribution of assets and administrative duties related to tax minimization surrounding estates, trusts, and gifts.
Expert guidance and assistance in planning and implementing your succession plan, smoothly transitioning your business to the next generation.
Mitigate business and personal risks, preserve family wealth and growth, and secure a future for your business.
To request speakers or panelists for events austin.sterling@pinionglobal.com
To set up media interviews or request quotes kristin.chiera@pinionglobal.com