Agonic Partner

From his youth on a family farm in east-central Illinois through his rise to state office in FFA and graduation from the University of Illinois, the founding of Charleston|Orwig, and, ultimately becoming a partner in the Certified Agriculture Group and 8 Point Promotions, Lyle has maintained his focus on and passion for agriculture, marketing communications, reputation management and corporate social responsibility programs.

While retiring from C|O in 2019, he is far from “retired” as he enjoys helping 2 different start-ups in the ag and food world, while working day-to-day as managing director for The Certified Agriculture Group and their Certified Ag Dealer Program.

The National Agri-Marketing Association named Lyle “National Communicator of the Year” for his contributions to agriculture and the astute marketing of its products and services. Additional honors came at the 2006 annual convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, where Lyle received the Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award, the group’s highest recognition for a nonbroadcaster.

Lyle and his business partner John Charleston were inducted into the national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2010 Lyle was named to The Farm Journal Foundation Board, where he provides counsel for their Farmers Feeding the World initiative. In 2012 the Ag Relations Council and Agri-Marketing magazine accorded Lyle the honor of naming him one of two inaugural inductees into the ARC Public Relations Hall of Fame, established to recognize the best of the best in Public Relations. In 2019 the Livestock Publications Council honored Lyle with their Headliner Award, for meritorious service to the livestock industry. In 2019 he also received his American FFA Degree from the National FFA Organization after Chairing the National FFA Foundation Board of Trustees.

Agonic Partner

Steve began his career with Deere & Company in Moline Illinois as a copywriter on the Fundamentals of Machine Operation educational series before developing advertising campaigns for Max-Emerge Planters and 40 to 80-hp horsepower tractors. During his 10 years at Deere & Company Barr also developed a manufacturing proposal for China and also created campaigns for the European tractor market.

Following his tenure at Deere & Company, Steve spent three years at Monsanto in St Louis as an Advertising Manager for Lasso and Bronco brands.  

He left Monsanto to create a marketing firm that became O+B Communications headquartered in St Louis.  Serving as CEO, O+B began with one client, Monsanto: quickly adding John Deere Credit and Deere & Company within the first two years.  Other blue-chip clients followed including Merck Animal Health, Michelin Ag and others.  He also developed a check-off and commodity organization practice in producer communications beginning with United Soybean Board, PORK, BEEF and other organizations.  During his tenure at O+B, he also led agency teams on the Roundup Ready launch, YieldGard and the revitalization of the DeKalb brand.

During his O+B career, Steve also served as Chair of the Board, IRON Solutions; board member of FFA and 4-H; along with the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC).  It was from the CTIC base, Barr co-developed the Crop Residue Management (CRM) program coordinating government, industry and farm media in one common goal—educating farmers on the benefits of conservation tillage.  In only three years, the campaign helped develop an additional 20 million acres of no-till in the U.S.

He sold O+B in 2012 to internal shareholders and continues today as “Founder”.  In the interim, Barr secured the Nutrien business for O+B as well as introducing Paramore Communications as an acquisition for O+B (now O+B/P) to add digital capabilities along with tourism industry clients and knowledge base.

Steve is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in Agricultural Journalism.  He currently manages the Barr Family LLC farms in Saline County, Missouri growing corn and soybeans in a no-till operation. He continues to be active with FFA and 4-H organizations and is an active investor in ag-tech and food-tech sectors.