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Blake Bogaard
Senior Loan Officer

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.

Lindsay Lentz
Loan Officer

Lindsay Lentz holds expertise in FSA Farm Loan programs as well as non-traditional private sector lending, built over four years in agricultural lending and a broader career spanning livestock production and feed sales. That range allows her to address a wide variety of borrower needs and circumstances.

A native of Northeast Iowa, Lindsay grew up on her family’s soon-to-be century farm and continues farming today with her husband and two children. She joins Growers Edge with a focused commitment to helping producers find the financing solutions best suited to their operations.

Tracy Brandel
Loan Officer

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.

Sarah Woodyer
Loan Analyst

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.

Brian Weis
Managing Director

Brian Weis brings over 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry. His career includes significant tenures at Bank of America, Guaranteed Rate, and Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, where he played a key role in the industry’s shift toward digital efficiency. He has held roles spanning Loan Officer, Regional Manager, and National Director of Business Development, demonstrating a consistent ability to build and lead high-performing teams.

At Growers Edge, Brian is focused on bringing that depth of experience to agricultural lending, working to provide growers with innovative financial solutions and a fast, efficient process that improves profitability and gives operations the financial flexibility they need.