Home About My Work Contact My Services

My Work

An assortment of some of my recent work.

Pinion Global •

Secrets of Top Farm Producers: What They Do Differently | Pinion Global

During Pinion’s 2026 Northern Agribusiness Summit in Minnesota this past February, Carolina Vargas, Ph.D., economist and farm business management consultant at Pinion, shared a case study that challenged some common assumptions about farm performance.
Analyzing four years of data from commodity crop producers across the Midwest, her team found that roughly 20% of farmers consistently outperformed the other 80%. These operations weren’t just having better years — they were widening the gap.
The q...
HopSkipDrive •

Efficient McKinney-Vento Transportation in the Bay Area

School transportation in California has long faced significant challenges. Unlike other states where nearly 40% of students rely on school buses, only 8% of California’s public-school students use them. This disparity stems largely from historical funding constraints, particularly Proposition 13, which limited property tax increases in 1978 and drastically reduced school transportation budgets. The impacts of these funding cuts persist today, exacerbated by a growing student population and risin...
HopSkipDrive •

5 ways HopSkipDrive can help with summer transportation for kids

Children across the U.S. are currently enjoying the slower pace of summer vacation, but that doesn’t mean learning has to stop. This season poses the risk of the dreaded “summer slide,” where academic skills dwindle. Additionally, there’s the added concern about a rise in screen time for kids. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children spend an average of seven hours a day on screens. This figure is likely to skyrocket without the structure and routine of school. That’s why there’...
FNC Corporate •

Maximizing Your Land’s Potential With Renewable Energy

For generations, farmers have worked tirelessly to cultivate the land. But in today’s shifting economy, more landowners are exploring new ways to maximize their property’s value. Renewable energy leases — such as wind and solar — offer an opportunity to generate stable, long-term income while preserving farmland for the future. These opportunities can allow farmers and ranchers to liquidate debt. It often yields money that can be invested in equipment, exchanges, technology, land expansion, or o...
Pinion Global •

Turning 45Z Incentives Into Long-Term Stability | Pinion Global

The Clean Fuel Production Credit, known as 45Z, has quickly become one of the most financially significant incentives the biofuels industry has ever seen. For many producers, it offers a rare combination of meaningful per-gallon incentives, immediate monetization through transferable credits, and strong federal support for lower-carbon fuels.
But alongside this opportunity comes an equally powerful force: uncertainty.
Funk recommends evaluating a financial strategy that might include strategic f...
Pinion Global •

Is Your Operation Ready for What May Come in 2026? | Pinion Global

As you navigate a year marked by sharp swings in policy, costs, and demand — alongside nagging questions surrounding aging ownership/board demographics, timing of ERP replacements, and consolidation considerations — it’s worth taking a step back to assess the fundamentals that keep your operation steady.
Talent stability is becoming a higher priority as consolidation continues, ownership demographics shift, and operational complexity increases. A competitive benefits package can play a critical...
Pinion Global •

Become a High-Performing Financial Institution by Acting Like One | Pinion Global

Many institutions finish their annual planning cycle with a polished strategy document — but very little momentum.
The difference between a plan that gathers dust and one that drives results often comes down to how the process is designed and how it’s treated as a business discipline.
Traditional strategic planning often centers on financial forecasts, risk mitigation, and regulatory expectations. While those elements are essential, they’re not sufficient on their own.
When planning becomes over...
Pinion Global •

Work Opportunity Tax Credit in Limbo | Pinion Global

As manufacturers and other industrial employers — including biofuels and food and beverage processors — continue to navigate workforce shortages, rising labor costs, and margin pressure, tax incentives like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) have played an important role in offsetting hiring costs. That’s why news of the credit’s expiration at the end of 2025 has raised questions across these industries.
While the WOTC officially sunset on December 31, 2025, history suggests this may not be...
High Plains Journal •

A new year's checklist for borrowers: What ag lenders want to see - High Plains Journal

As 2026 gets underway, many producers are navigating a familiar mix of uncertainty and resolve. Input costs remain elevated, margins are tighter for many operations, and lenders are taking a closer look at risk than they have in recent years.


For producers who may need financing this year—whether for operating loans, refinancing, or long-term planning—understanding what ag lenders are watching can help turn a cautious environment into a workable one.


Agriculture lenders are entering 2026 w...
High Plains Journal •

Help wanted: Seeking a legacy heir - High Plains Journal

The holidays have a way of bringing families back to the same table where so many important decisions have been made over the years.


As stories are shared and traditions passed down, many producers find themselves wondering about the future: Who will carry this farm forward? These moments of togetherness can be the perfect time to talk openly about the legacy you’ve built—and how to ensure it continues for the next generation.


Many retiring operators haven’t developed a clear plan for pass...
Pinion Global •

How Peer Groups Help Food and Ag Companies Advance Sustainability | Pinion Global

Long before sustainability reports and climate risk assessments, farmers were already practicing a form of collective learning. They compared notes in grain elevators, shared weather insights at the feed store, and traded planting advice across fence lines. Those informal exchanges laid the groundwork for a tradition that continues today: learning together to solve shared challenges.
As agriculture modernized, so did these learning circles. The late 20th century saw new frameworks emerge like In...
Pinion Global •

5 Traits of Successful Producers | Pinion Global

Ag businesses today face the same complex mix of challenges, but it’s the forward-thinking producers that make strategic-based decisions year-round who build the most resilient, adaptable businesses that can survive — and thrive — under pressure.
Here are the 5 things that successful producers do to maintain a strong business throughout the year:
Strong financial strategy isn’t just about minimizing taxes — it’s about positioning your operation for sustainable, scalable growth.
Across today’s ag...
Pinion Global •

Avoid Delays in the Construction Loan Draw Process | Pinion Global

Managing a construction project efficiently depends on more than just skilled crews and blueprints — it hinges on streamlined project finances. When loan draw requests are delayed, subcontractors wait for payment, suppliers hold back materials, and projects risk coming to a halt. Lenders, meanwhile, need confidence that work is complete, documentation is accurate, and lien risk is controlled before funds are released.
With the right financial systems, processes, and strategies in place, you can...
High Plains Journal •

Preparing your operation for tough markets and better days ahead - High Plains Journal

Crop prices have eased back to levels we haven’t seen in several years and many producers are feeling the pinch. In real terms, after adjusting for inflation, corn and soybean prices are hovering near their weakest levels in nearly two decades—even as input costs, machinery prices, and global trade pressures continue to rise.


Add in tighter export markets and ongoing tariff uncertainty, and it’s clear that today’s margins are under strain.


But while the numbers may not look encouraging, th...
High Plains Journal •

5 ways the OBBB gives farmers flexibility and financial clarity - High Plains Journal

Editor’s note: Pinion Global’s Keaton Dugan is a new columnist to replace Maxson Irsik.


The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, has become a common topic around kitchen tables across farm country. Some producers are optimistic, others are skeptical, and many are simply trying to wrap their heads around the nearly 900 pages of changes.


To help make sense of it, this article takes a closer look at five provisions with practical implications for farmers. Whether you’re thin...
High Plains Journal •

Why are producers turning to alternative lending? - High Plains Journal

With stricter bank lending and economic uncertainty, producers are rethinking their farm financing.


Policies from the new United States administration are creating uncertainty in the agriculture sector. Trade disputes, stalled tax reform, delays to the farm bill, and reduced funding have all taken a toll. Add in stricter lending requirements from traditional banks, and the result could be devastating for farmers looking to renew loans or fund future operations. And it’s not just speculation....
School Bus Fleet •

Supporting Students with Trauma-Informed School Transportation

The number of children carrying trauma is likely more prevalent than you realize. A safe, predictable school commute can help students impacted by trauma thrive, exhibiting improved student behavior and attendance. Learn how trauma-informed principles can transform your school transportation operation.Over 60% of U.S. adults have experienced an adverse childhood experience before they were 18. And, three-quarters of high school students report experiencing one or more of these events, while one-...