I grew up on a farm in Walla Walla County, Washington, where early mornings, long harvest days, and time in the tractor shaped the way I think about work and family. Even after becoming a CPA in 1984, agriculture never stopped being home for me. I still own farmland in Washington, Iowa, and Missouri, and I’ll jump into a combine or tractor every chance I get.

My entire career has been built around helping farmers and ranchers make confident, informed decisions. I work with producers on income and estate tax planning, succession planning, and FSA strategy — the kinds of choices that affect not just a business, but a legacy. As I often say, I work with farmers and ranchers providing income and estate tax advice, but what that really means is I help families protect what they’ve spent generations building.

After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in Business Administration (accounting concentration), I had the privilege of serving as president of the Farm Financial Standards Council and chairing the AICPA Ag Conference for more than a decade. Teaching has become one of the most rewarding parts of my work — each year, I instruct thousands of CPAs and tax preparers on farm taxation and FSA planning.

I also write The FarmCPA column for Top Producer, host the Top Producer Podcast, and share frequent updates on FarmCPAReport.com, where I cover the issues shaping today’s ag economy.

At the end of the day, I’m a farm kid who became a CPA — and I’ve spent my life trying to bridge those two worlds. I understand the pressures producers face, the pride they carry, and the responsibility that comes with running a family operation. My goal is simple: to help farmers plan wisely, operate confidently, and keep their operations strong for the next generation.