Blake Bogaard brings seven years of agricultural lending experience and a personal foundation in production agriculture. Raised on a row-crop farm, he combines professional credentials with firsthand knowledge of the operational realities producers face. Blake works with farm operations of all sizes and structures nationwide, with experience spanning row crops, livestock, vineyards, avocado farms, and diversified enterprises. His financing expertise covers land acquisition, equipment, operating capital, livestock, and expansion. He approaches each engagement by first understanding the specific goals and constraints of the operation, then developing a financing strategy aligned with long-term success.

Since entering agricultural lending in 2019, Sarah Woodyer has developed expertise across the full loan lifecycle, from approval through closing and funding. She manages coordination with title companies, appraisers, and borrowers, ensuring each transaction progresses efficiently and without disruption. That behind-the-scenes work is what keeps deals on track. Sarah's role is to make sure that once a loan is approved, every party has what they need and every deadline is met. Raised in rural Illinois with multigenerational family ties to the industry, including a family-owned seed and fertilizer business, Sarah brings both process discipline and an authentic connection to the communities Growers Edge serves.

Tracy Brandel brings an extensive background in agricultural finance, policy, and farm management. Her career includes service with the USDA Farm Service Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, as well as financial consulting work supporting producers with transition planning, farm programs, and risk management strategies. Tracy and her husband Matt operate a diversified farm in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, raising dairy cattle, livestock, and market lambs alongside row crops, pasture, and hay. This active involvement in production agriculture keeps her directly connected to the challenges producers are navigating today. She also serves on her local town board, breed association boards and committees, and youth 4-H and FFA programs, reflecting a long-standing commitment to rural communities and the next generation of agricultural professionals.