2026 Spring Meeting

2026 Spring Meeting

April 23, 2026
Nashville, TN

Join TEGMA for a one-day event tailored for members and grain industry professionals in the eastern Corn Belt! This gathering will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Marriott’s Renaissance Nashville Hotel, 611 Commerce Street. The afternoon meeting will feature insightful sessions from key speakers in the grain trade and rail sectors, offering a valuable grain and transportation outlook. The highlight of the day will be a networking reception, providing a prime opportunity to connect with colleagues and industry leaders. Don’t miss this chance to gain insights and strengthen your professional network!

Meeting Program

Attendee LIst

Featured Speakers

Michael Swanson, Ph.D. — Chief Agricultural Economist, Wells Fargo
”Growth in the Agricultural Markets and Opportunity” — The trends are unmistakable with larger crops and higher crop prices over time. An industry with a growing top line is a good industry for investment. However, the competition is fierce and execution critical. A good discussion on the financial returns will help calibrate your investment opportunities over the next few years.

Michael Swanson is an agricultural economist with Wells Fargo, the nation’s largest commercial agricultural lender. Based in Minneapolis, he analyzes key drivers shaping agriculture, including energy markets, consumer food demand, and global economic trends. His work supports strategic decision-making across crop and livestock sectors, as well as credit and risk strategies for agricultural clients.
Swanson joined Wells Fargo in 2000 and previously worked with Land O’Lakes and Cargill, including four years in South America. He began his career with Burlington Northern Santa Fe as a transportation systems analyst. He holds undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Economics from the University of St. Thomas and a Ph.D. in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota.

Ryan Rogers, Vice President, Human Resources and Marketing & Communications, JDH
“Workforce Trends Shaping the Grain Industry” — Rogers will share a practical look at today’s hiring environment, including labor availability, retention challenges, and evolving employee expectations across the agriculture and transportation sectors. His remarks will highlight how companies are adapting recruiting strategies, strengthening workplace culture, and positioning themselves to attract and retain talent in a competitive labor market.

Ryan Rogers serves as Vice President of Human Resources, Marketing & Communications, and Strategic Planning at JDH. With 16 years of HR experience—including a decade in commodity trading and agriculture—he brings deep industry insight to his role. Since joining JDH, Ryan has led a transformation of the HR function, implemented a new HRIS system, spearheaded a comprehensive brand refresh, and built strong talent acquisition and HR business partner programs.
His passion for agriculture began in childhood, accompanying his father on feed deliveries and farm visits. Ryan also serves on the Hastings College alumni advisory committee, reflecting his commitment to community and organizational culture.

Tommy Grisafi — Risk Advisor & Commodity Broker, Ag Bull Trading
“Navigating Volatility in Today’s Grain Markets” — Grisafi will provide perspective on market psychology and the narratives shaping grain markets today. His session will focus on how leaders across the grain merchandising and transportation sectors make decisions amid uncertainty — translating market signals, volatility, and sentiment into practical action.

Tommy Grisafi is a Risk Advisor and Commodity Broker with Ag Bull Trading, bringing more than 28 years of experience as a seat holder on the Chicago Board of Trade. He is an independent trader at CME with deep expertise in agricultural commodities, market structure, and risk management. Tommy is also the owner of Ag Bull Media and host of the Ag Bull Podcast, where he shares practical insights and conversations with industry leaders on navigating today’s markets. He is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and enjoys spending time with his family.

Rep. John Rose — U.S. Representative (R-TN), Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District
“Agriculture Policy in Focus: Insights from Washington” — Rep. Rose will provide a Washington policy perspective to close the program, offering insights from his service on the House Agriculture Committee and House Financial Services Committee. Now serving his fourth term in Congress, Rose will address current legislative and regulatory developments affecting agriculture, trade, and transportation, and what they mean for grain and rail stakeholders across the Eastern Corn Belt.

U.S. Representative John Rose is serving his fourth term representing Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and sits on the House Agriculture and House Financial Services Committees. A lifelong Tennessean, he was raised in Cookeville, where he lives with his wife and two sons, and continues to operate his family’s multi-generational farm.
A farmer, attorney, and small business owner, Rose brings a strong conservative perspective focused on reducing federal spending, limiting regulation, and supporting rural communities. He is also the owner of Boson Software and previously served as Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture. He holds degrees from Tennessee Tech, Purdue University, and Vanderbilt University.

Meeting Schedule

1:00 p.m.
Welcoming Remarks & Introductions

1:10 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Michael Swanson, Ph.D., Chief Agriculture Economist, Wells Fargo

2:00 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Ryan Rogers, Vice President, Human Resources and Marketing & Communications, JDH

2:50 p.m.
Meeting Break

3:10 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Tommy Grisafi, Risk Advisor & Commodity Broker, Ag Bull Trading

4:00 p.m.
Closing Speaker: U.S.Representative John Rose (R-TN)

5:00 p.m.
Reception

Meeting Registration

Registration Fees

TEGMA Members: $125
Non-Members: $150

**To receive the TEGMA member rate, individuals must be employed by a TEGMA member company. View list of TEGMA member companies here.

Hotel Accommodations

Book Now

Renaissance Nashville Hotel
611 Commerce St
Nashville, TN 37203

Room block extended to March 26 - reserve today! TEGMA’s discounted nightly rate is $309 plus taxes. There are a limited number of rooms available at this rate, and rooms are available at a first come, first serve basis.

The Renaissance Nashville Hotel is ideally located hotel in downtown Nashville, Tennessee with spacious rooms and suites steps from B.B. King's Blues Club, Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium and more.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by April 8 to qualify for a refund. No refunds will be issued after this date, regardless of the reason, including illness. Substitutions are permitted at any time; however, any applicable rate differences (e.g., member vs. non-member) will apply..

Meeting Attire

Dress code for this event is business-casual.

Special Needs

For questions about accessibility, to request accommodations, or for special dietary needs, please email Erica Venancio at least two weeks prior to the event.