Our Senior Advisor for Agriculture & Technology, John McNutt, recently attended the 2025 AAPEX Conference in Tucson, Arizona. This event brought together industry leaders to discuss the current state of agriculture, shifting economic landscapes, and the rapid pace of technological advancement.
The conference featured a powerhouse lineup of speakers covering the industry’s most pressing topics. “We heard from Rabobank regarding their outlook on the global economy, and Mary Kay Thatcher, a veteran of Farm Bureau legislation in DC, provided a deep dive into the political landscape,” John noted. “We even listened to a father-son duo discuss generational dynamics and how different age groups perceive and process information.”
For John, the primary takeaway was the importance of bringing the “power of partnership” back to LattaHarris. He emphasized that being a “trusted advisor” means more than just balancing books; it means being an active participant in a client’s success.
“If we’re going to have a presence in that agriculture, it’s to build an appreciation and an understanding of what our clients need. We can provide so much more value if we understand what our clients do. You’re not just preparing a tax return, but you’re responding to what their needs are and preparing them. That’s really why we and I do this, and why I encourage others in the firm to do that.”
AAPEX is a prestigious event with a high bar for entry. Attendance requires completing two years of TEPAP (The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers). John’s participation—and the firm’s commitment to sending other team members—highlights LattaHarris’s dedication to professional growth.
“Trent Schroeder has gone for two years, Marshall Shedeck, and Levi Stockdale have each done one year. It shows that LattaHarris is investing in its people and helping them understand what’s important to our clients.”
At LattaHarris, we believe that staying ahead of the Ag Industry trends is our way of being advocates for our clients. John’s time at the AAPEX Conference is the testament to our lifelong commitment to learning, specializing and fully understanding our clients. As agriculture continues to evolve, we continue to follow the momentum by seeking experts’ advice and bringing it back to our firm to continue our growth.
