Earlier this week, we had the privilege of visiting Spangler Farms, hosted by John & Holly Spangler. Holly currently serves as our CEO Board President and was on the steering committee that brought this program to life from day one. They are also two-time CEO parents, as their kids Jenna & Nathan have both participated in the McDonough County CEO Program.

We started the morning at the farmhouse over freshly baked cinnamon rolls, diving into agriculture's role as a major economic driver in Illinois. John and Holly shared what it really takes to manage a modern farm business: monitoring input costs, navigating grain markets, and exploring supply chains that stretch from our local fields to destinations all over the world.

John also gave our students a crash course in beef selection, explaining how to spot quality cuts and look for fat marbling when buying steaks.

After our discussion at the house, we headed out to the farm site to tour their cow-calf operation. The class got a firsthand look at livestock management, from partnering with experts to develop custom feed mixes to understanding the broader market outlook for raising cattle and harvesting beef.

To make the morning even better, we were joined by our neighbors from Spoon River CEO! (Technically speaking, we were just over the county line in their territory!) It was a fantastic opportunity for young entrepreneurs from both programs to connect, network, and learn together.

Thanks to Holly and John Spangler for opening their home, welcoming us to the breakfast table, sharing business expertise, and continuously investing in the next generation of leaders!