15 Minutes With... Tim Brennan, Vice President of Programs & Strategic Impact, Farm Foundation

By Michelle Pelletier Marshall, Women in Agribusiness Media (April 1, 2025)

Anyone fortunate enough to have a conversation about agriculture with Farm Foundation’s Tim Brennan has no choice but to leave inspired, excited and ready to engage. That’s because in his role as vice president, Brennan embodies the mission of Farm Foundation – to accelerate practical solutions in agriculture – and heads steadfastly and with much vigor into his role of developing and guiding programs in food and ag that have strategic impact and clearly defined results.

What might these projects be you ask? For starters, how about the development of expanded offerings at the new Innovation and Education Campus (IEC) at the organization’s farm just outside of Chicago? Brennan’s experience in fundraising, innovation and coalition-building, noted Farm Foundation President and CEO Shari Rogge-Fidler, is perfectly aligned with growing this programming. 

Additionally, Farm Foundation, a 92-year-old, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has its finger of the pulse on some of the most important challenges facing farmers and therefore, the industry itself. With its “fiercely” nonpartisan approach, the group works across the food and ag value chain to build momentum behind meaningful solutions with objectivity and inclusivity, which is what makes the foundation a perfect candidate to moderate the Female Producer Panel at this year’s WIA Summit in Orlando in September.

“We have the spirit and drive of a start-up that fosters an exhilarating, enabling environment focused on real-world impact to drive a shared vision for a better future for food and ag,” said Brennan, who noted that even after 12 years with Farm Foundation, he is still thrilled with being in the driver’s seat to impact real change in ag. 

WIA Today spoke with Brennan to get more details.

1). Tell us a bit more about your top goals for driving positive change in the ag and food sector.

What we excel at here at Farm Foundation is bringing a range of diverse voices to the table so that we examine all sides of an issue—which helps us reach practical solutions to major food system challenges faster. We work on issues such as diverse farmer mental health, traceability in supply chains, next-generation food and ag leadership, markets and trade, conservation and sustainability, and more. I am never bored!

2). How do partnerships in the industry, such as Farm Foundation’s collaboration with Women in Agribusiness, benefit the industry and help positively move the needle in the ag and food sectors?

We think that partnerships and coalitions are vital to the future of food and agriculture. While we may all have different points of view and priorities, working together, learning from each other, and supporting a larger vision for the food system helps us all. We have so much hope and energy for American Agriculture, and working with organizations like WIA reinforces our mission and passion.

3). The geopolitical climate is a challenge right now. How does Farm Foundation measure change and identify opportunities in such an uncertain environment?

We tend to gut-check what we are seeing and hearing out there by first turning to our farmers. We ask them what the farm-level effects of policy changes might look like and how it might affect their operations. That is always the best place to start when thinking about where we might be able to contribute. 

4). What are the biggest challenges that farmers are currently facing, and how do you see these evolving in the next 5-10 years?

I think the biggest challenges over the next few years are going to be related to major disruptions in markets and trade agreements. Some of our largest trade partners – from Mexico and Canada to China and Europe – may not be trading with us at the same volume in the near future and that is going to really hurt farmers and food companies of all kinds. When you add a rapidly changing climate, a lack of workers, and crumbling infrastructure, things don't look great. However, I think there are opportunities in every challenge, and if I know anything about our farmers, they can adapt and find ways to thrive no matter what. 

5). Given Farm Foundation’s close connection to farmers, what are some of the most pressing operational, financial or environmental challenges they are navigating today?

Simply put, the challenge is the high costs of inputs (seed, fertilizers, etc.) and the low returns on most commodity crops. As a matter of fact, most farms in the U.S. are expected to run a loss over the next few years. The rest of the farm economy, like input and machinery producers, will also struggle from this. The bright side will be for animal producers who will be able to purchase feed at steep discounts.

6). Farm transformation is a key topic in the industry – what innovative strategies or technologies do you see leading this transformation?

I think we will be talking a lot about farm diversification as a means of risk management over the next few years. Diversification (adding new crops or adding value to existing crops) is also a way that many families can ensure that there is a place on the farm for the next generation. What will be necessary, though, are significant investments in infrastructure to support new crops/products so that they can be brought to market. This can include new grain elevators, processing plants or easier ways for farmers to contract with food companies to grow crops on contract. 

7). Could you share some specific examples of farms that have successfully adapted to new market demands, sustainability goals or technological advancements?

This is a significant focus on our panel discussion at the WIA Summit: how these farmers have adapted, and even thrived, with shifting paradigms in food and ag. We will hear how one farm family lost their multi-generational family farm to eminent domain, yet they were able to rebuild and far exceed what they were doing before. Another farmer is growing beef and timber! The timber keeps the cattle cool in the hot Florida sun while the cattle provide fertilizer to the trees. Our other farmer has built one of the largest organic dairies in the U.S. through a deep understanding of the needs of consumers. 

To note, there are so many amazing women that I have had the honor of knowing in agriculture, but the three producers we will feature on the Female Producer Panel are truly some of the greatest. They are all multi-faceted entrepreneurs that never stop pushing their operations to be more efficient, sustainable and impactful. These female producers are going to inspire the WIA audience with their incredible stories. I can’t wait!

Have more questions? Reach out to Brennan here or come meet him and these accomplished female farmers at this year’s 14th annual Women in Agribusiness Summit September 22-24 in Orlando, Florida. Join us and learn more here.

ABOUT TIM BRENNAN

Tim Brennan joined the Farm Foundation staff in May 2013. Prior to that, Brennan spent most of his career at the University of Chicago, working in a variety of roles at the Booth School of Business, Law School and College. He also served as the director of alumni relations and marketing for Northwestern University’s School of Law. Brennan also has worked with a wide range of non-profits as a consultant and board member. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Brennan grew up on a small farm in Northeastern Ohio and currently lives on a hobby farm in the Chicagoland area.