Dr. David Kohl, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech Dr. Dave Kohl has keen insight into the agriculture industry gained through extensive research and involvement in ag businesses. His wisdom and engagement with the industry provide a unique perspective on future trends.
Price range
- $5,500 - $7,000
Expert
- Agriculture
- Business Growth
- Change
- Economy
- Management
- Risk Management
- Strategic Planning
- Sustainability: Organizational
- Trends
Experience
- Agriculture
- Banking
- Economics
Career
- 45 Years
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About
Bio – short
Dr. Dave Kohl is an academic Hall of Famer in the College of Agriculture at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Kohl has keen insight into the agriculture industry gained through extensive travel, research, and involvement in ag businesses. He has traveled over 10 million miles; conducted more than 7,000 presentations; and published more than 2,500 articles in his career. Dr. Kohl’s wisdom and engagement with all levels of the industry provide a unique perspective into future trends.
Bio – Long
David Kohl received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University. Kohl is Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Finance and Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia. He was on special leave with the Royal Bank of Canada working on advanced initiatives for two years, and also assisted in the launch of the successful entrepreneurship program at Cornell University.
Kohl has traveled over 10 million miles throughout his professional career! He has conducted more than 7,000 seminars and 500 webinars for agricultural groups such as bankers, Farm Credit, FSA, and regulators, as well as producer and agribusiness groups. He has published five books and over 2,500 articles and video blogs on financial and business-related topics online and in journals, extension, and other popular publications.
He has received 11 major teaching awards while teaching over 10,000 students, and 25 major Extension and Public Service awards from Virginia Tech, Cornell University, and state and national organizations. Kohl is a two-time recipient of the prestigious American Agricultural Economics Association’s Outstanding Teaching Award.
Kohl is one of only five professors in the 100-year history of the Association to receive the award twice. He received the Governor’s Award for his distinguished service to Virginia agriculture, the youngest recipient to receive this award. Kohl was recognized as one of 30 leaders who are the brains behind innovative business management and economic information that agriculture uses today. He also has been named one of 7 economists and bankers who challenge the status quo.
Kohl has addressed the American Bankers Agricultural Conference for more than 45 consecutive years and has appeared before numerous state bankers’ schools and conferences throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the world. He is also one of the top-rated instructors at the LSU and Colorado Graduate Schools of Banking, and is Chancellor of the nationally acclaimed Farm Credit University, which has had over 7,000 enrollments of lenders and producers using a blended online and face-to-face educational approach.
As facilitator of the United States Farm Financial Standards Task Force and member of the Canadian Agricultural Financial Standards Task Force, Dr. Kohl was one of the leaders in establishing guidelines for the standardized reporting and analysis of agricultural producers' financial information on a national and international basis. The Kohl Agribusiness Centre has been established in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech in honor of his long-term commitment to practical teaching, research, and extension. In 2017, Kohl was inducted into the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Hall of Fame. Dr. Kohl recently received the 2022 Distinguished Service Award given by Ag Communicators Network.
Kohl is currently President of AgriVisions, LLC, a knowledge-based consulting business providing cutting-edge programs to leading agricultural organizations worldwide. He is also a business coach and part owner of Homestead Creamery, a value-added dairy business in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
On a more personal note, Dave enjoys playing basketball and likes most sports, farms, dogs, and covered bridges; he dislikes lazy students, administrative bureaucracies, and paperwork!
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Video Clips
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Topics
Thriving in Economic Chaos
An unpredictable economic environment, driven by geopolitics and ongoing trade and capital wars, combined with extreme weather, is having a significant impact on the future of agricultural business. While some hunker down in business survival mode, others quickly adapt to disruptions and capitalize on challenges.
This session is designed to examine the state of agricultural domestic and global economics. Future mega-trends in the industry and their impact on success, regardless of size, enterprise, and geographic location, will be discussed. Dr. Kohl will bring his decades of experience as an award-winning educator, business owner, speaker, and author to challenge the status quo of decision-making.
Future-Proofing Your Business and Life for Success
As we cross the quarter-century mark, businesses and individuals face a world defined by razor-thin margins, global economic shifts, geopolitical tension, and evolving societal trends. Amid this volatility lie tremendous opportunities for those prepared to adapt. Join Dr. Dave Kohl as he explores the essential traits of resiliency, agility, and strategic thinking needed to thrive in this unpredictable environment. With his unique blend of academic insight, hands-on business experience, and global industry engagement, Dr. Kohl will deliver practical tools for future-proofing both your enterprise and personal path to success. Discover how financial KPIs, resource management, and proactive risk strategies can tilt the odds in your favor today and well into the future.
AGRICULTURAL UPDATE AND THE ROAD AHEAD
Get ahead of the curve with Dr. Dave Kohl’s expert take on global trends and the U.S. economy—shaped by his travels and deep industry engagement. This session will connect the dots between today’s economic landscape and your business decisions on the ground.
Dr. Dave will share practical financial and management strategies to help you adapt, lead, and succeed—regardless of the economic cycle. Expect clear takeaways you can apply immediately to strengthen your operation’s resilience and profitability. This session is highly versatile for a wide range of groups, including lenders, producers, agribusiness owners, and students, with valuable insights for each, regardless of age, business size, background, or experience.
Business and Financial Tools for Turbulent Times
In today’s unpredictable economy, surprises—such as geopolitical shifts, tariffs, military conflicts, evolving consumer trends, and volatile markets—are becoming the norm. Navigating this complexity demands practical tools and timeless business principles.
Join renowned ag economist and Virginia Tech Academic Hall of Famer Dr. Dave Kohl for a high-energy, information-packed session designed to equip you with financial and business strategies for success, no matter where we are in the economic cycle.
Drawing on decades of experience as an educator, global speaker, and business owner, Dr. Kohl will deliver actionable insights and time-tested best practices tailored to help producers and agribusinesses manage risk, seize opportunity, and thrive in turbulent times.
This session combines strategic thinking with practical applications for your business and personal life. Don’t miss it!
Mega Trends 2025 and Beyond
Get ready to connect the dots between global forces and your business decisions. Dr. Dave Kohl draws on his vast experience to explore the sweeping changes shaping agriculture’s future — from evolving consumer and dietary preferences to technology, productivity, trade, generational shifts, and urbanization. This session breaks down complex global trends into actionable insights for producers and agribusinesses. If you want to think globally, but act locally, this high-impact presentation is your roadmap to staying ahead in a rapidly changing world.
The Management Mindset of Business and Life
In today’s fast-paced, unpredictable world, success requires more than just knowledge—it demands a mindset built on resilience, agility, and proactive decision-making. Join Dr. David Kohl as he shares practical strategies to help you navigate uncertainty and capitalize on innovation, technology, and changing market dynamics.
This engaging session will offer real-world action steps and timeless wisdom to strengthen not only your business but also your family and personal life. Don’t miss this opportunity to reset and refocus your management mindset for today—and tomorrow.
Programs Geared Towards Ag Bankers and Ag Lenders: Managing Through Economic Chaos
In today’s volatile economic landscape, agricultural lenders face challenges that demand clarity, agility, and sound decision-making. In this high-energy, insight-packed session, Dr. David Kohl draws upon decades of experience to provide agricultural lenders with practical tools and financial strategies to navigate uncertainty. From global disruptions and trade shifts to consumer behavior and generational transitions, you’ll gain actionable takeaways to strengthen your client relationships and guide sound credit decisions. This session is a must for those committed to helping your agricultural customers not only survive but also thrive in economic chaos.
The Pulse of Agriculture and Agricultural Lending
In this dynamic and fast-paced session, Dr. David Kohl will provide his timely and insightful analysis of the general and agricultural economies, connecting global and national trends directly to the realities of rural businesses. With decades of experience and a pulse on ag lenders, producers, and industry shifts, Dr. Kohl will explore the key economic forces impacting your customers and portfolios.
Gain clarity on the lead and lag indicators that matter most in today’s uncertain environment, from interest rates to commodity cycles, consumer behavior, and geopolitical risk. Dr. Kohl will also break down current and future trends in land values, liquidity, and credit quality—equipping you with the tools to ask the right questions and make proactive decisions.
If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, manage risk with confidence, and better serve your agricultural clients, this session is a must-attend.
Future-Proof Your Agricultural Banking Business
The agricultural banking landscape is shifting rapidly, shaped by global economic forces, evolving customer needs, and the constant pressure of uncertainty. In this high-impact session, Dr. David Kohl delivers expert insights to help lenders navigate the path forward.
Drawing from decades of experience and global engagement, Dr. Kohl will provide clarity and transparency, highlighting key economic indicators, marketplace trends, and strategic action steps. Learn how to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and future-proof your institution and clients for long-term success.
This session is a must for ag lenders who want to stay a step ahead in a world where change is the only constant.
The Art and Science of Agricultural Lending
Agricultural lending requires more than numbers—it demands insight, intuition, and adaptability. In this session, Dr. David Kohl will explore the perfect blend of analytical tools and relationship-based strategies that define successful ag lending today. Learn how to navigate credit decisions, economic headwinds, and changing customer expectations with confidence. This is where financial acumen meets real-world wisdom—don’t miss it.
The Management Mindset for the 2020s
Today’s agricultural economy demands more than just strong numbers — it requires a sharp management mindset. In this high-impact session, Dr. David Kohl brings his signature blend of energy, insight, and experience to help ag lenders elevate their business IQ. Learn how to identify key traits of top-performing operations, assess management effectiveness, and equip your customers for success in an era of volatility and change. Walk away with actionable tools to strengthen lender-borrower relationships and guide your clients through the complexities of the 2020s.
Ag Credit Analysis & Communications
Step into the future of agricultural lending with Ag Credit Analysis & Communications.
As we move through 2025, credit professionals must navigate a landscape shaped by global disruptions, including tariffs, evolving government programs, weather extremes, and volatile markets. This session equips ag lenders with cutting-edge credit analysis tools designed to strengthen communication with customers, teams, and regulators. Learn how to assess credit risk more effectively and uncover new business development opportunities in a rapidly changing environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your credit lens and lead with confidence.
U.S.A. & Global Economic Outlook for 2025 & Beyond
What are the economic realities that we can expect from the global and domestic sanctions, tariffs, and trade strategies that are intertwined with geopolitical and military uncertainty?
This uncertainty impacts your customers’ revenue and cost strategies. How is the global order shifting, and what sectors of the economy will it affect?
The cast of three characters in the U.S. economy —ALICE, HENRY, and HERMAN — will determine whether smooth sailing or economic white waters are in store at the quarter-century mark. Interest rates, real estate, stock market direction, and debt are all impacted by these variables, which in turn affect the economic cycle. What are the lead and lag economic indicators telling us about the future of the economy, and how can your bank position itself to capitalize on the volatility and uncertainty? Dr. Kohl will present a high-energy session that you and your team will not want to miss!
Domestic & Global Economic Mega Trends
In a world where economic currents shift rapidly, understanding the forces that shape our future is critical. Join Dr. David Kohl, renowned economist and Virginia Tech Academic Hall of Famer, as he unpacks the Domestic & Global Economic Mega Trends impacting banking and business.
From shifting trade alliances and monetary policy to consumer behavior, workforce transitions, and global geopolitical dynamics, Dr. Kohl connects the dots in ways that resonate with today’s banking professionals. This session offers practical insights and actionable takeaways to help bankers anticipate risk, identify opportunities, and guide clients with confidence in an increasingly complex and volatile environment.
Don’t miss this high-energy, information-rich session that will sharpen your economic lens and enhance your strategic thinking.
Nuts and Bolts of Business Transition
Before one ponders estate planning, asset transfer, or business entity structure, the journey of planning for the transition of business management must be established.
With trillions of dollars of assets set to be passed to the next generation by businesses and households by 2035, both estate and management transition planning must be high priorities. Transition planning is one of the top three issues facing agricultural enterprises, and it is often the Achilles’ Heel of successful companies.
In this program, Dr. Kohl will discuss the process of transition planning, including:
• The “starting five” questions to jumpstart transition planning.
• Pitfalls and issues to manage around.
• The financial liquidity crisis, which leads to impromptu transition planning.
• Sweet sixteen strategies, actions, and tactics that are critical for success.
• Selecting a transition planning team.
• A scorecard to follow in the transition planning journey.
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Testimonials
5 people have recommended this speaker
“Dr. Kohl’s knowledge of macroeconomics and agribusiness was the perfect combination to engage our audience in analyzing current and future trends. He gave our audience a lot to consider as we plan for and enter into our next fiscal year.”
“Dr. Kohl was just as fantastic as I had hoped he would be. He is so sharp and knowledgeable, and both his content and delivery were spot on. Our group really enjoyed him.”
“Dr. Kohl was wonderful. We have gotten lots of compliments regarding his presentation and how he interacted with the attendees given the virtual format. Everything from start to finish was great.”
“Dr. Kohl was great as always. Mississippi bankers love Dr. Kohl! He is always a HOME RUN in our book!”
“I truly enjoyed working with Dr. Kohl & Mike Pearson, and hope they would be willing to work together again in the future. We have a lot of education to do in these changing times, and I think we all came at it in a unique way during the breakout session and drove the same point home….Please pass along our sincere Thanks to both Dr. Kohl & Mike. As George Brett would say: This was a “Grand Slam!”