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We’re unlocking the mystery and getting inside the heads of Top Producer of the Year winners and finalists. Check out what they’ve learned along the way and tips that you might be able to incorporate into your own farm.

Pam Henderson Smith was reared on a diversified grain and livestock farm in west-central Illinois where five generations of family still till and toil. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois and currently is a seed technology and production editor for Farm Journal.

John Dillard grew up on a beef cattle farm in Amelia, Va., which is still operated by his parents. John’s work on farms and ranches in Virginia, South Dakota and Wyoming provided him with an appreciation for the unique challenges faced by agricultural producers across the United States. He earned bachelor’s degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Economics at Virginia Tech. John also earned a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics at Purdue University. Prior to attending law school, he worked for a consulting firm that advised agribusiness clients (seed, renewable fuels, cooperatives, equipment) in marketing and business strategy development. Additionally, Mr. Dillard was an economist for USDA’s Economic Research Service, where his work focused on preparing farm income reports and reports examining the financial health of the agricultural sector. Now an attorney practicing with OFW Law in Washington, D.C., John concentrates his practice on litigation, with an emphasis on environmental and agriculture-related litigation. Mr. Dillard has represented clients in complex matters involving Clean Water Act disputes, livestock odor nuisance tort actions, and government contract regulations. He also advises clients in the food and agricultural industries regarding the impacts of litigation, government regulations and legislation on their businesses.

Jamie Wasemiller is a senior market analyst for Gulke Group and has been with the firm since 2005. In addition to his work with the Gulke Group he also assists Jerry Gulke on his Illinois farmland. In addition to market analysis, one of Jamie’s focuses within Gulke Group is the combination of risk management with crop insurance. As a licensed crop insurance agent and owner of Wasemiller Insurance Company, he works closely with farmers to ensure that they fully understand and correctly implement the right crop insurance policy and risk management tools to create effective grain marketing plans. Jamie provides both marketing and insurance insight to the industry and routinely speaks throughout the country. In 2010 he worked with the University of Delaware and Farm Journal to create the 21st Century Grain Marketing Primer.

Bob Utterback has more than 26 years of experience and offers producers a disciplined approach to marketing and preparing for the future. Utterback Marketing Services, Inc. is a commodities brokerage firm based in the small farming community of New Richmond [West Central] Indiana, serving clients throughout the U.S. who trade agricultural and related commodities. Trades are cleared by a family owned futures commission merchant based in Chicago since 1914. Utterback Marketing Services, Inc. and its staff are registered with the National Futures Association.