Empire Ag: Navigating Farm Business, Commodity Cycles & Succession with Jonathon Haralson
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Reference: Impact Farming
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Empire Ag: Navigating Farm Business, Commodity Cycles & Succession with Jonathon Haralson
Farm businesses today are navigating increasing complexity — volatile commodity markets, rising input costs, succession pressures, and the need to think more strategically than ever before. In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, we sit down with Jonathon Haralson, rancher, farmer, and Founder of Empire Ag, to explore the realities producers are facing and the opportunities that still exist in modern agriculture.
Jonathon shares his personal journey growing up during the farm crisis of the 1980s, how those experiences shaped his outlook on risk and business management, and the path that led him to ranching and eventually founding Empire Ag. Through his work helping producers solve complex financial and operational challenges, Jonathon offers practical insights into what’s working, what’s not, and where agriculture is headed next.
From navigating difficult grain markets and strong cattle cycles, to identifying growth opportunities, succession planning, and preparing the next generation for leadership — this episode delivers honest, experience-driven insight for producers looking to strengthen their farm business.
Episode Highlights
- Jonathon’s upbringing during the 1980s farm crisis and how it shaped his perspective on agriculture and risk
- The journey from rancher and farmer to earning his broker’s license and helping producers solve business challenges
- Why Jonathon launched Empire Ag and the solutions the company provides to producers
- The most common business struggles farmers face today — and how they can address them
- Why advisory organizations like Empire Ag are gaining traction across agriculture
- Jonathon’s outlook on commodity cycles, including challenges in grain and opportunities in cattle
- How producers can spot emerging opportunities and prepare for the future of farming
- Practical succession insights for families preparing the next generation to take over the farm
- Jonathon’s advice for young producers entering agriculture today
Timestamps
[00:00] – Introduction to Jonathon Haralson
Background, ranching roots, and founding Empire Ag
[3:36] – Growing Up During the 1980s Farm Crisis
Lessons learned and how it shaped Jonathon’s risk management mindset
[6:33] – Starting His Career in Agriculture
Early career experiences and building a foundation in agriculture
[10:00] – The Financial Challenges for Young Farmers Entering the Space
Challenges and starting up farming now will look completely different now
[17:40] – Starting His Own Farm Operation
Challenges and getting gritty to start his operation
[25:30] – Cost of Living Crisis in Agriculture & Challenges of Starting
Jonathon and Tracy chat about the cost-of-living crisis and journey of entrepreneurship
[36:12] – Entering the Advisory Space
Obtaining his broker’s license and recognizing the common challenges producers face
[37:30] – Launching Empire Ag
What the company does and the business solutions it provides to producers
[47:00] – Why Farm Advisory Services Are Growing
Increasing complexity in farm business management and decision-making
[54:41] – Who Empire Ag Serves
The types of producers seeking advisory services and the issues they face
[1:06:30] – Challenges & Spotting Opportunities in Agriculture’s Future
Strategic thinking and positioning farm businesses for long-term success
[1:15:38] – Challenges in Agriculture Right Now
Reviewing everything as costs are up, commodities are down, markets are changing
[1:27:40] – Succession Planning Realities & Final Thoughts
Common mistakes and how families can better prepare for transition
Agriculture is evolving quickly, and the producers who succeed long-term are those willing to think strategically, adapt to market cycles, and proactively plan for the future.
If you want real-world insight into managing farm risk, spotting opportunity, and preparing your operation for long-term success, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
👉 Tune in now to hear Jonathon Haralson’s powerful perspective on farm business strategy, commodity cycles, and succession planning.
After listening, be sure to learn more about Jonathon and the work being done at Empire Ag. If you’re navigating complex business decisions, planning for transition, or looking to strengthen your farm’s financial and operational strategy, Empire Ag provides advisory services designed specifically for modern producers.
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🔗RESOURCES:
Strategic Support for Farmers and Ranchers
Learn more: https://youragempire.com/
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Thank You to our Show Sponsor
Here at The Impact Farming Show, our goal is to bring our audience the people and ideas that will IMPACT their farming operation. We couldn't do it without the continued support of our sponsors that are committed to supporting our show and our shared vision of helping farmers succeed.
Please take a moment to check out this week's show sponsor: KWS Seeds Canada
Seeding the future – since 1856
Learn more about KWS Seeds Canada:
Website: www.kws.com/ca/en/
Social Media: Facebook / X / Instagram / YouTube
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About the Guest:
Jonathon HaralsonFounder & CEO / Empire Ag
Jonathon Haralson is the Founder and CEO of Empire Ag, where he leads a growing portfolio of companies dedicated to advancing agriculture through financial intelligence, strategic planning, and capital access. A sixth-generation Texas farmer and rancher, he pairs his deep agricultural roots with a background in finance to help producers and investors build operations that are profitable, sustainable, and positioned for the future.
After graduating from Texas A&M University, Haralson began his career as a licensed commodities broker for a Chicago-based firm, specializing in futures and options strategies that helped producers manage volatility and improve profitability. He later worked in agricultural lending, underwriting loans and structuring financial solutions for producers nationwide. Those experiences gave him an uncommon perspective on both sides of the balance sheet—understanding how money moves in production agriculture and how financial systems can either empower or limit growth.
Haralson founded Empire Ag to close that gap. Under his leadership, the company has evolved into a multi-division enterprise that includes Empire Financial Services, a provider of bookkeeping and advisory services for producers, and EA Capital Management, a private capital firm connecting investors with agricultural opportunities across farmland, agribusiness, and commodity assets. At the center of Haralson’s work is a belief that farms and ranches should be run with the same level of discipline, strategy, and data-driven insight as any Fortune 500 company. His approach—equal parts pragmatic and forward-looking—has made Empire Ag a trusted partner to producers seeking stability and to investors seeking meaningful, long-term value in agriculture.
🌐 https://youragempire.com/
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* Disclaimer - As always, this information is not intended to provide business or medical advice. To ensure that your own circumstances have been properly considered and that action is taken based on the latest information available, you should obtain professional advice from qualified business or medical professionals before acting on any of the information in this post.
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The Impact Farming Show
Welcome to Impact Farming, Farm Marketer's video and audio show dedicated to helping Canadian farmers excel in the business of farming. Our goal with this show is to introduce our audience to the people and ideas that are going to make an IMPACT on their farming operation.
Show Host - Tracy Brunet
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Tracy and her husband are cattle ranchers in South East, Manitoba. As host of the show, primary producer and agvocate, Tracy is passionate about helping farmers succeed in the business of farming.
In each episode, Tracy chats with today's most successful farm advisors and industry leaders to bring our audience the best and most important ideas.
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