An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.
-Benjamin Franklin
Our Mission
The agriculture industry, and specifically grain origination, is full of complexities; knowledge is essential. Origination Academy was formed to meet the challenge head-on, sharing expertise from a seasoned grain marketing professional, trader, and communicator to better equip origination professionals with the skillset and confidence to excel in what they do, every single day, for the world’s largest industry.
Meet the Team
Jeff Fichtelman
Jeff spent 15 years managing all trading of futures and options for three major grain companies after graduating from BGSU. Jeff is 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
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 the area’s largest producers.
Kelly Buchanan
Kelly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations 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 her ag-specific marketing and communications business, Oak Alley Concepts, in early 2023. Kelly brings a relentless commitment to excellence and a passion for serving agriculture.
Our Expert Contributors
Jim Prough
Jim grew up on a farm in central Indiana and attended Purdue University where he focused on Agriculture Economics. He’s spent the last 28 years in the grain industry and founded JP2 Risk Management with his wife, Jean, in 2010 to help farmers execute and manage risk using all available marketing tools and appropriate crop insurance.
Coming Soon