[Tech-Enabled Advisor Series] Improving the Ag Retail Experience With Jason Weirich of MFA, Inc.

This episode was produced in partnership With AgVend: https://www.agvend.com/

MFA, Inc: https://mfa-inc.com/

FoA 269: [Tech-Enabled Advisor Series] Cooperatives Embrace Digital Tools with KC Graner of Central Farm Service

I'm bringing back the Tech-Enabled Advisor Series to better understand agtech through the lens of the BUYER of that technology rather than just the entrepreneurs or investors. By talking to the buyers rather than the sellers of the tech, we got an unfiltered introduction to the technology and more importantly got to see how its used and the VALUE that it provides users.

To do this, I partner with a company and together we invite one of their customers onto the show. The catch is that they’re not allowed to script these individuals or dictate what to say or edit it after it is recorded - it has to be real and unfiltered.

So today’s episode featuring Jason Weirich of MFA was produced in partnership with AgVend. Since launching their first platform in 2020, AgVend’s technology is used by more than 35% of the North American ag retail market. Today you’ll hear how one of those retailers, MFA, launched a digital platform called MFA Connect with AgVend.

Jason Weirich is the executive vice president of operations at MFA, which has around 45,000 member owners. They are one of the largest ag retailers in the country, consistently in the top 10 of the CropLife 100. Jason oversees the retail operations located throughout Missouri and surrounding states including Southern IA, Eastern KS, Northeast AR and Northwest Oklahoma. He also oversees the wholesale operations which span the entire midwest from the rocky mountains to Ohio. Prior to joining MFA 15 years ago, Jason was the state extension weed specialist with the University of Missouri. He joined the cooperative as the director of agronomy and says he walked a lot of fields for nine years before eventually moving into his current role.

Our conversation today touches on the the relevance of the cooperative model, how he’s making difficult decisions in this tough farm economy, why they implemented MFA Connect and the results they are seeing from this digital platform and customer portal, the role of the ag retailer in the changing farmer demographic, and how he goes about implementing change in a big industry and a large organization.

About AgVend:

AgVend is the leading provider of digital enablement solutions that transform the way agribusinesses operate their organizations and engage with their customers. AgVend’s white-labeled system of action streamlines workflows from field to office, enabling frontline teams to offer more efficient and differentiated customer interactions. Since launching their first platform in 2020, AgVend’s technology is used by more than 35% of the North American ag retail market.