Turn "Survival Mode" Into a Growth & Succession Plan

Jace Young, our Founder and CEO, is a Western Kansas Farm Kid and Ex-Ag Banker turned Entrepreneur focused on helping American Farmers and Ranchers build an organized, structured, and profitable operation that they can one day pass onto their children and grandchildren.

Before founding Legacy Farmer, Jace experienced the financial collapse of his family's operation in the summer of 2005. He was in high school and living with his parents when they lost everything and were forced to walk away from the family farm that they had dedicated their lives to building.

His desire to become an entrepreneur kicked in following his career as an Ag Loan Officer where he realized that very few Ag Business Owners did not have the financial organization, structure, or systems in place that would help their farms survive and thrive for generations to come. Today, he works to help Farmers streamline the entire financial side of their operation so that they leave behind a profitable and sustainable Farm Operation to their children and grandchildren.

Lance Weaver, Business Coach at Legacy Farmer, is a Texas native and former Ag Banker turned Business Coach, focused on helping American producers organize and improve their operations for long-term success.

Lance’s involvement in agriculture started early, spending many of his free hours outside of school helping his grandfather, a commercial electrician, work on pivots and irrigation wells. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business, graduating cum laude from Sam Houston State University. He then completed a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University, finishing at the top of his class. Following his education, Lance spent more than a decade in agricultural finance, working with producers across seven states. He held various leadership roles, including Vice President and Branch Manager positions, where he specialized in helping farmers and ranchers secure financial solutions to grow their businesses. Lance believed his mission was to serve agriculture, and banking was the tool he used to fulfill that purpose.

Today, as a Business Coach with Legacy Farmer, Lance uses his experience in finance and agriculture to help producers build more organized and structured operations. One of his greatest enjoyments is helping producers grow their operations, become more profitable, and build a better life with their families. When he is not working with producers, Lance spends his free time with his wife Amanda and their kids, Ella (9) and Jackson (7), attending stock shows and exhibiting animals from their small business, Elmdale Dorpers. In addition, they are actively involved in basketball, shooting sports, livestock judging, and most recently, robotics.

Katie Taylor, Business Coach at Legacy Farmer, is a Minnesota native with roots in agriculture from working on her family’s row crop and dairy farm. Her firsthand experience with the challenges and triumphs of farming ignited a lifelong passion for supporting farmers and their businesses. 

Katie’s passion for agriculture led to her receiving a degree in Animal Science Production and Agriculture Business from the University of Minnesota. An interest in commodity markets and economics inspired her to continue her studies and receive a Masters in Finance from Penn State University. For the first several years of her career Katie focused on providing commodity market analysis and guidance to agricultural businesses and farmers. This expertise has given her unique insights into market trends, risk management, and pricing strategies - helping farmers navigate complex markets. Her ability to merge this financial acumen with personal agricultural knowledge allows her to provide tailored solutions that meet the diverse needs of her clients. Katie’s commitment to empowering farmers with the right tools, knowledge and market strategies is what drives her to work every day.

Hi, I am Matthew Noggle.  I am married with 3 wonderful kids Emerson, Brigham, and Everett.  I am the 6^th generation on my family farm in Manchester, MI.  We have a Sim-Angus commercial cow calf operation and a small feedlot.  We market most of our cattle directly to consumers through Noggle Farms Premium Beef.  We supply our hometown grocery store and neighboring town meat market as well as about 6 restaurants currently. 

I graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business.  There I was on various judging teams and clubs.  After college I was hired as an Ag Lender for the Bank of Colorado in Yuma, CO.  I spent 4.5 years there working with large feedlots and row crop operations.  At the end of 2016 my wife and I moved back to Michigan to be closer to the family farm.  In Jan. of 2017 I started working as a commercial lender for a local community bank and spearheaded their Ag Lending campaign.  I spent 5 years there as a commercial and ag lender.  I then had the opportunity to work for Rabo Agrifinance as Ag Lender covering the state of Michigan.   However, I now pursue my real passion for truly helping the farmer without worrying about the constraints of the bank's ever-changing demands.  I am just glad I am now able to work for a company who has the farmer first mentality, and I get to do my favorite part of banking, meeting with clients and helping them succeed and be profitable.

When I am not working cows or in my office, you can find me near a grill somewhere.  I love cooking out on the grill or smoker.    

Jen grew up in Illinois, where her family farms corn and soybeans. Jen earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture with a minor in Finance from Illinois State University, followed by a Master’s degree in Agriculture from Montana State University. After marrying and settling in Bozeman, Jen has called the Gallatin Valley home for over 20 years and currently lives just outside of town with her two children, Jerry and Jennavieve, ages 14 and 11, and a variety of animals.

Professionally, Jen brings extensive experience in agricultural banking and retail banking.  For the past five years, Jen has served as the Branch Manager for the Bozeman office at Farm Credit. Jen is deeply involved in the local ag community, she serves as a Director on the Gallatin Valley Ag Committee and has spent 19 years on the Gallatin County Open Lands Board, advising on conservation easements for local farms and ranches

Gabby grew up on a cow-calf operation, where she developed a passion for agriculture through hands-on experience in both daily farm tasks and accounting/bookkeeping. She is a proud first-generation college graduate from West Virginia University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Animal Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Agribusiness.

After graduation, Gabby began her career as a farm manager for a cattle and direct-to-consumer beef sales operation in Pennsylvania. In 2019, she transitioned to South Carolina to serve as a Farm Loan Officer with the USDA-FSA. After three successful years, she returned to Virginia, continuing her role with the USDA for nearly six years, supporting local farmers in reaching their agricultural goals.

Today, Gabby and her husband operate their own beef cattle farm as fourth-generation producers, while also helping manage her family’s diversified operation, which includes poultry, cattle, and goats. She is especially proud to share her love of farming with her young daughter, who already shows a passion for cattle and the outdoors. With a deep commitment to empowering producers, Gabby is excited to contribute her experience and enthusiasm for agriculture as a Jr. Business Coach at Legacy Farmer.

Mike McPhail was raised in New Hampshire and spent his formative years working on a turf & tree farm managed by his father.  Mike obtained a BS in Business Management from Plymouth State University with a minor in Sociology & Anthropology in 2007.  

Prior to joining Legacy Farmer, Mike spent 17 years working for Farm Credit in the Northeast, where he served in multiple leadership and member-facing roles. His career included 12 years as a Lending Relationship Manager, 3 years as a Branch Manager, and 2 years as a Regional Manager leading a tax, accounting and consulting team. This diverse background provides Mike with deep expertise in agricultural lending, financial management, and coaching producers through complex decisions.

Mike and his wife, Laura, live in Somers, Connecticut, with their daughters, Rylan (12) and Evelyn (10). After taking a professional pause in 2024, he is eager to return to working directly with farm families — a passion that has been at the heart of his career!

Ava was born to 4th generation dairy farmers in Central California, where she learned her ABCs
on the barn floor, sorting payables by each vendor’s logo. Ava was homeschooled and would
hurry to the maternity barn in the mornings before school just to see what new calves were born
before rushing through her studies to get back to work outside on the farm. As she got older,
she took on more office responsibilities, eventually being charged with verifying milk ticket
accuracy and preg-check reports. This is what inspired Ava to go into accounting and finance,
so that she could have a larger impact on her family farm. Ava graduated Magna Cum Laude
with a Masters in Accounting and Financial Management from Keller Business School of
Management, while working full time.

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After working for an agricultural based CPA firm establishing a strong knowledge in accounting
and audit process, Ava moved over to agriculture finance, to have a larger impact with family
farms, eventually guiding her to a role in management as a Lead Credit Officer for the Farm
Credit System, where she oversaw a team of underwriters for the Association.
Today, Ava and her husband of 13 years reside outside of Lubbock, TX, with their children. Who
get to wake up every morning to a handful of beef cows, swine and dogs. Ava’s education, love
for agriculture and strong passion for helping family farms has lead her to be a Business Coach
for Legacy Farmer, which has given her the opportunity to make the greatest impact she
possibly can for those that seek it.

Mitch comes from the Heartland grit of Worms, Nebraska. From sunup to sundown, he grew up constantly outdoors—between hunting, fishing, and working every aspect of his family’s cow/calf, row crop, and hay operation. That hard-driving, highly active background, refined further by competing in nearly every sport at Palmer High School, laid the foundation for his professional discipline.

His journey took him to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he became a first-generation graduate with a degree in Agribusiness. He later traded the tractor cab for the bank office in Lincoln, quickly rising through the ranks to become a commercial banking officer. Over seven years, he specialized in business development, helping clients understand the crucial links between sound treasury management and enterprise success.

While Mitch’s professional life evolved, his passion for agriculture and its financial well-being never faded. He recognized that one of the greatest challenges facing many farming businesses is strategic financial organization. His mission is to use his banking expertise to bring that necessary clarity to the agricultural community, ensuring the legacy of the family farm.

Now based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Mitch maintains a highly active lifestyle—staying fit, traveling, and connecting with others—while keeping his deep Nebraska roots front and center.

Miranda Hillskemper was born and raised in a small town called Paradise, in Northern California. She earned an associates degree in Business Administration and an Associates Transfer Degree in Accounting, followed by a Bachelors degree in Business Management from Chico State University, graduating with Magna Cum Laude. Miranda spent four years working in finance and accounting, serving as an accountant at Chico State University, and later as the Finance and Accounting Manager at Paradise Irrigation District helping the water district with wildfire recovery efforts from the Camp Fire before transitioning her role to work in the agricultural sector.

For the past four years she has built expertise in agricultural finance as a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser with Farm Credit. Outside of her professional work, Miranda is connected to the land through her husband's logging and land clearing business. Outside of work, Miranda enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and traveling with her husband and their two dogs, Opie and Whiskey!

Patrick grew up in a dairy farming community in Northern New York, where his connection to agriculture started early. By middle school, he was helping local farms with haying and working in sustainable logging on his aunt and uncle’s property in the Adirondacks, gaining hands-on experience and an appreciation for land stewardship.

Patrick earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business from SUNY Cobleskill, along with an Associate’s degree in Psychology. During college, he took a year away from school to work as an Assistant Barn Manager at a bull stud, further deepening his practical understanding of farm management.

After graduation, Patrick spent 10 years with Farm Credit East in New Hampshire, serving in a variety of roles that supported farmers and rural communities. He began his career in business lending as a Relationship Manager before moving into a Mortgage Specialist role, where he focused on financing rural homes and startup farm operations. Following his time at Farm Credit East, Patrick spent a year with Walden Mutual Bank as an Agriculture Lender.

Today, Patrick continues to support the New England agriculture community through a relationship-first approach to business, combining financial insight with a deep respect for the people behind the operations. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family and friends and being outdoors.

Sam Brown’s passion for agriculture runs deep, with roots tracing back to his childhood in Central Kentucky. Growing up on his family’s cattle and equine farm, Sam developed a strong work ethic and a genuine love for the land. This foundation led him to pursue a degree in Agricultural Business and Finance from Western Kentucky University, where he honed his skills in both the practical and financial aspects of farming.

After graduating, Sam spent several years managing cattle operations, gaining firsthand experience in the challenges and rewards of the agricultural industry. His experience, combined with a genuine desire to help farmers succeed, has shaped his professional path. Now, as an Enrollment Advisor, Sam brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to his role, helping farmers ensuring they’re equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving industry.

When he’s not working, Sam enjoys spending time with his wife, Madeline, and their son, Beaufort. He also dedicates his free time to his horse farm, where he trains and starts colts, continuing to nurture the next generation of Quarter Horses.

When he’s not working, Sam enjoys spending time with his wife, Madeline, and their son, Beaufort. He also dedicates his free time to his horse farm, where he trains and starts colts, continuing to nurture the next generation of Quarter Horses.

Bryton is a busy mom of three girls and lives in Central Nebraska with her husband, Evan, where they run a center-pivot irrigation dealership.

With a strong background in ag retail, Bryton brings a wealth of hands-on experience working with row crop farmers. Early in her career, she saw firsthand the challenges producers face and the lack of real, long-term solutions to help them sustain their operations.

That realization led her to join Legacy Farmer. Today, she’s passionate about helping producers create personalized strategies that protect their legacy and position them for long-term success.

Brent’s connection to agriculture started in Central Illinois, growing up around a family farming operation that instilled a lifelong respect for the industry. His path eventually led him to East Tennessee to study Youth Ministry, where he developed a deep understanding of what drives and motivates people. It was also here that he was introduced to the rodeo arena. Those years spent around cattle and the arena weren't about the show; they were about developing the kind of resilience that only comes from showing up when the work is hard.

After an internship brought him to Kansas, Brent spent years in the thick of the Ag world, full-scale dairy and cow-calf operations, and overseeing full-service co-ops. These roles gave him an unfiltered look at the reality of the business. He saw firsthand the stress that comes when a family has the work ethic but lacks the clear financial roadmap to protect it.

Today, Brent lives in Kansas with his wife and three kids, where they are growing their own operation and homestead.. For Brent, the goal is simple: faith, family, and figuring it out as they go. Whether he’s working on the farm with his kids or serving at his local church, he’s focused on building something that lasts. When he isn’t helping farmers get clear on their future, you’ll likely find him tackling a project around the farm, pulling garden tractors with his kids, or catching up with a friend over a good cup of coffee.