Now enrolling learners for Origination Academy Online.
Learning and Development
Basics of Grain Markets
The Business of Farming and Where You Fit In
The Business of Farming and Where You Fit In
The Business of Farming and Where You Fit In
Learn about the business of farming and where YOU, as an originator, fit into that puzzle. This course includes a key story that highlights the complexity of the farmer marketing process.
History of Futures Trading
The Business of Farming and Where You Fit In
The Business of Farming and Where You Fit In
Listen as Jeff and Tara discuss the evolution of trading at the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Intro to Futures
The Business of Farming and Where You Fit In
Understanding Basis
In this course, discover the history of the futures market and learn about market fundamentals including prices, symbols, and more.
Understanding Basis
Intro to Futures Spreads
Understanding Basis
In this course, you'll learn about the mechanics that help establish a basis value, common terminology, and you'll get a look at the different basis markets that exist.
Basic Contract Types
Intro to Futures Spreads
Intro to Futures Spreads
Develop an understanding of basic contract types, including cash/flat price/spot, basis, delayed pricing (DP), and storage, along with when to use each contract type and corresponding NGFA terms and standards. Upon course completion, download and review the Origination Essentials Guide.
Intro to Futures Spreads
Intro to Futures Spreads
Intro to Futures Spreads
Discover how to calculate and compare futures spreads, learn the meaning of "full storage" and "full carry," and better understand the difference between inter and intra-crop year spreads.
Understanding markets and grain marketing
Leveraging USDA Reports to Grow Your Business
How to Use USDA and NASS Websites to Your Advantage
How to Use USDA and NASS Websites to Your Advantage
Listen as Jeff Fichtelman and Tara Deines discuss how to best utilize the monthly USDA reports to cultivate timely conversations with customers and buy more bushels.
How to Use USDA and NASS Websites to Your Advantage
How to Use USDA and NASS Websites to Your Advantage
How to Use USDA and NASS Websites to Your Advantage
In this course, learn how to navigate USDA and NASS websites to access key market reports and data that will prove useful in your role of grain origination.
Understanding USDA Reports
How to Use USDA and NASS Websites to Your Advantage
Understanding Corn Supply and Demand
In this course, learn about the 16 USDA reports including important elements, what numbers to focus on, how the USDA collects the data, and the market-moving importance of each report.
Understanding Corn Supply and Demand
Understanding Soybean Supply and Demand
Understanding Corn Supply and Demand
Learn how to read and understand the U.S. Corn Supply and Demand Table, discover key influences on each supply and demand line item, and establish a better understanding of what drives futures prices.
Understanding Soybean Supply and Demand
Understanding Soybean Supply and Demand
Understanding Soybean Supply and Demand
Learn how to read and understand the U.S. Soybean Supply and Demand Table, discover key influences on each supply and demand line item, and establish a better understanding of what drives futures prices.
Understanding Wheat Supply and Demand
Understanding Soybean Supply and Demand
Understanding Soybean Supply and Demand
Learn how to read and understand the U.S. Wheat Supply and Demand Table, discover key influences on each supply and demand line item, and establish a better understanding of what drives futures prices.
Forming a Market Opinion
Forming a Market Opinion
Forming a Market Opinion
In this course, learn the importance of having a market opinion daily, various ways to form those opinions, and processes to relay them to your customers through telling your own unique story.
Intro to Options
Forming a Market Opinion
Forming a Market Opinion
This course includes the basics of options, key definitions, and how options work with grain futures.
Intro to Pricing Tools
Forming a Market Opinion
In this course, learn what pricing tools are and why they exist, who they are suitable for, and the four basic types: Managed, Min/Max, Accumulator/Double Up Programs, and Long Futures/Lift Hedge Tools.
How to Explain and Sell Pricing Tools
How to Explain and Sell Pricing Tools
Listen as Jeff Fichtelman and Tara Deines discuss how to explain and sell pricing tools.
seasonal conversations & proactive engagement strategies
Intro to Seasonal Conversations
In this course, we'll introduce how to drive value throughout the year using the Seasonal Conversations Guide. This session also includes a brief review of inbound and outbound phone call best practices.
Key Conversations: Planning Season
In this course, learn the recommended conversations to have in the “planning” season along with the intended outcomes of each.
Key Conversations: Planting Season
Key Conversations: Planting Season
In this course, learn the recommended conversations to have in the “planting” season along with the intended outcomes of each.
Key Conversations: Growing Season
Key Conversations: Growing Season
Key Conversations: Planting Season
In this course, learn the recommended conversations to have in the “growing” season along with the intended outcomes of each.
Key Conversations: Harvest Season
Key Conversations: Growing Season
Key Conversations: Harvest Season
In this course, learn the recommended conversations to have in the “harvest” season along with the intended outcomes of each.
Real Talk on origination - podcast
Real Talk on Origination: An Introduction
Click to view an introduction to the podcast series brought to you by Origination Academy.
Episode 1: Market Moves - Understanding Report Trends
If you are an Origination Academy Online subscriber, this podcast episode pairs with "Understanding USDA Reports" and is the recommended learning for a deeper look at all USDA Reports, trends, and strategies.
Episode 2: Networking Like a Pro: It’s Not Just About Business Cards
If you are an Origination Academy Online subscriber, this podcast episode pairs with the "Identifying Prospects - How to Find New Customers" video series.
Meet the Team
Jeff Fichtelman
Jeff Fichtelman
Jeff Fichtelman
Jeff spent 15 years managing all trading of futures and options for three major grain companies after graduating from BGSU.
Jeff is often considered an expert in what moves futures markets and how to intelligently capture those moves and he now focuses on helping farmers formulate and execute the ideal marketing plan for their farms.
Tara Deines
Jeff Fichtelman
Jeff Fichtelman
Tara graduated from Purdue and started her career in Central Indiana where she spent five years originating grain and learning the ethanol world. She completed her Master’s degree in Agribusiness and spent the next eight years on the Ohio River focused on high-level marketing services.
She currently has an extensive portfolio that she actively manages for her area’s largest producers.
Kelly Buchanan
Jeff Fichtelman
Kelly Buchanan
Kelly holds a Bachelor’s degree in PR and Master’s degree in Marketing. She spent over 10 years managing all marketing and communications efforts for a leading ag and transportation company before founding Oak Alley Concepts, an ag-specific marketing and communications business, in early 2023.
Kelly brings a relentless commitment to excellence and a passion for serving agriculture.