The impacts of trade agreements, regulatory shifts, and emerging markets on agriculture and food systems.
Brent Boydston
Brent Boydston is the founder of Ag Center Solutions, a consulting firm that advises
clients on the intersection of government policy, trade policy, and foreign market
development. Ag Center Solutions was founded after the conclusion of Mr Boydston’s
term as Chairman of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). The U.S. Grains Council
develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including
distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28
locations, USGC operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union.
Previously, Mr. Boydston worked for Bayer Crop Science as the Corn, Cereal Grains,
and Digital Agriculture Lead on the Industry Affairs team. He joined Monsanto in
December of 2016 prior to acquisition by Bayer. In this role, Mr. Boydston was
responsible for relationships with key industry stakeholders throughout the value chain.
These included national and state corn and cereal grains growers’ groups, and related
organizations, as well as leadership positions such as Co-chair of the Ag, Automotive,
Ethanol Coalition.
Prior to Bayer, Mr. Boydston worked for Colorado Farm Bureau as the Vice President of
Public Policy where he managed their policy operations. During his time in Washington,
DC Boydston served as Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman Steve King (R-IA),
advising primarily on agriculture, energy, trade, and environment issues, among others.
He worked in depth on the 2008 Farm Bill, Cap and Trade legislation, the Colombian
Free Trade Agreement and the 2007 and 2009 Energy Bills. Before joining Congressman
King, he was on the original staff of Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN).
A graduate from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and an
MBA from Colorado State University. He is originally from a diversified farm outside of
Centerville, Kansas, where his family raised cattle, corn, and soybeans.
Stephanie Gadbois
Stephanie Gadbois recently retired from the U.S. House of Representatives after more than two decades of service. She spent much of her 23 years on Capitol Hill engaged on food and agriculture issues. She served for seven years as Counsel to the House Agriculture Committee, where she covered the nutrition, trade and livestock portfolios; two years on the staff of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, FDA, and Rural Development; and six years as Senior Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee, where she worked with producers across the U.S. to help ease the farm labor crisis. Most recently, Stephanie served as the Staff Director and Majority Clerk for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, where she oversaw roughly $80 billion in discretionary federal spending annually.
As Vice President of Federal Affairs for Capitol 6 Advisors, Stephanie draws on her deep and broad-ranging policy and appropriations expertise to assist clients in navigating challenging legislative and regulatory matters. A native of Sandusky, Ohio, Stephanie is an avid outdoorswoman. She has a family background in meat production and holds a B.A. in English from Kent State University and a J.D. from the University of Toledo. She is a member of the Virginia Bar and resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband Aaron.