Family Farm Masterclass — Planting the seed for a successful legacy

Friday, February 12, 2027 The Catlin Sioux Falls, SD

Free to attend · Registration required

When Friday, February 12, 2027 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Where The Catlin 201 E 8th St, Sioux Falls, SD
Cost Free Coffee & lunch provided
Hotel block Code FFM Closes January 13, 2027

The 2027 Family Farm Masterclass

Your family farm is more than a business—it’s a legacy built over generations.

Planning for the future can be one of the most important conversations a farm family has, but it’s not always an easy one. The 2027 Family Farm Masterclass is designed to help farm families start those conversations, make informed decisions, and build a plan for a successful transition to the next generation.

Bring the next generation with you. This one-day event is free, but seats, meals and tables are planned from registrations—so please register everyone in your party.

Save Your Seat

Plan the future.
Protect the legacy.
Prepare the next generation.

01

Protect What You’ve Worked a Lifetime to Build

Your farm is more than land and equipment—it’s a legacy. Learn strategies to help protect the operation, manage financial and family challenges, and make the transition as smooth as possible.

02

Build a Plan for the Next Generation

Succession doesn’t happen by accident. Get practical guidance on how to prepare the next generation, establish roles, and create a clear path forward for your family farm.

03

Learn From Experts and Other Farm Families

Hear from experienced professionals and real farm families who understand the challenges of succession. Walk away with ideas, conversations, and strategies you can take home and put into action.

Agenda

One day. Big conversations.
A plan for the future.

Friday, February 12, 2027 | The Catlin | Sioux Falls, SD

  1. 8:30 AM

    Check-In & Coffee

  2. 9:00 AM

    Welcome & Setting the Stage

    Why succession planning matters—and why starting the conversation early can make all the difference.

  3. 9:30 AM

    Building Your Farm’s Future

    Explore the key pieces of a successful succession plan, from defining roles and responsibilities to preparing the next generation to lead.

  4. 10:30 AM

    Break

  5. 10:45 AM

    Marketing for the Next Generation

    CommStock Grain & Marketing Team

    Hear directly from the CommStock team about today’s grain markets, marketing decisions, risk management, and strategies that can help position your operation for the years ahead.

    Featuring: Eric Relph Brian Grete Joe Camp David Kruse

  6. 12:00 PM

    Lunch & Conversation

  7. 1:00 PM

    The Business of Succession

    Take a closer look at the financial and business decisions that can make—or break—a successful transition.

  8. 2:00 PM

    Planning for the People

    Succession is about more than numbers. Discuss communication, family dynamics, leadership, expectations, and preparing both generations for the transition.

  9. 3:00 PM

    Break

  10. 3:15 PM

    Putting the Pieces Together

    Bring the day’s information together and begin thinking through what a successful transition could look like for your own operation.

  11. 4:00 PM

    Your Farm. Your Legacy. Your Next Chapter.

    Leave with practical ideas, important questions to take home, and a clearer direction for the conversations and planning ahead.

  12. 4:30 PM

    Closing & Networking

Agenda and speakers subject to change.

Speakers

Meet the speakers

The CommStock Grain & Marketing Team leads Marketing for the Next Generation—a look at today’s grain markets, marketing decisions and risk management strategies for the years ahead.

Joe Camp

Joe Camp

Director of Managed Programs, CommStock Investments

Joe specializes in risk management and commodity market analysis for producers across the Midwest. He is a regular contributor to The CommStock Report and an accomplished agricultural markets presenter.

Eric Relph

Eric Relph

Branch Manager, CommStock Investments

Eric works with grain and livestock producers across the country on price risk management. A native of western Kansas and part of a farming and cattle family, he specializes in livestock markets and Livestock Risk Protection insurance.

Brian Grete

Brian Grete

Grain & Livestock Analyst, CommStock Investments

Brian grew up on a family grain and livestock farm in southeast Iowa and brings more than 29 years of commodity market analysis experience from Pro Farmer. He specializes in market outlook and risk management and is a frequent agriculture media contributor and keynote speaker.

David Kruse

David Kruse

Founder & Chief Analyst, CommStock Investments

The founder and Chief Analyst of CommStock Investments, David has been a commodity broker and advisor since 1985. A fifth-generation Iowa farmer, he brings decades of firsthand farming and risk management experience and has authored The CommStock Report since 1986.

Matthew Kruse

About the host

Hosted by CommStock Investments

CommStock Investments is proud to be a partner to and advocate for the American producer—helping farm families manage risk and plan for what’s next.

Founded in Royal, Iowa by David Kruse, a commodity broker and advisor since 1985, CommStock offers commodity brokerage, crop and livestock insurance, The CommStock Report and The CommStock Channel, with brokers and analysts serving producers across the country.

The Masterclass is led by Matthew Kruse, a 6th-generation farmer who manages 800 acres including the Kruse century farm established in 1896. Matthew is the second generation of the Kruse family to lead CommStock, an Accredited Farmland Manager through ASFMRA and a certified Farm Succession Coordinator who has hosted past Family Farm Masterclass events.

Venue & hotel

See you in Sioux Falls

The Catlin

Formerly the Hilton Garden Inn Sioux Falls Downtown

201 E 8th St
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
Get directions

Stay with the group

A block of rooms is reserved at The Catlin for Masterclass guests.

Group code FFM
  1. Book online: use the Family Farm Masterclass booking page and enter code FFM under “Special rates.”
  2. Or call: the group sales office at 605.444.4704, Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. After hours, leave a voicemail and a reservation agent will call you back the next business day.

The room block closes January 13, 2027.

Book your room

Register today

Secure your spot

The Masterclass is free, but registration is required so we can plan food and seating.

  • Attendee — farm families and anyone planning for the future of an operation. Register once for your whole party.
  • Sponsor guest — invited by a sponsoring company? Pick your sponsor from the list.
  • Sponsor — companies supporting the event. Choose your sponsorship level and we’ll follow up with your agreement.

Questions? info@commstock.com · (712) 227-1110

Thank you to our previous sponsors

  • Iowa Corn
  • IFT Publications – Iowa, Illinois & Missouri Farmer Today
  • Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network
  • Farm News

We look forward to seeing you in Sioux Falls!

Friday, February 12, 2027 · The Catlin

Register for Free