The Power of Partnership: Reflections from AAPEX and How We Operate at Scythe & Spade

by Brett MacNeil

Recently at the AAPEX Annual Conference, I listened to Tom Morris speak on the power of partnership—a message that struck a chord. His reflections on Aristotle’s belief that we are “much wiser together” echoed something we live every day at Scythe & Spade.

What resonated most is the idea that great partnerships are built on shared purpose, creativity, and mutual contribution. They aren’t transactional—they’re transformational. That philosophy mirrors the way our team shows up for one another, for our clients, and for the broader agricultural community.

In an industry where many still operate as independent contractors, we’ve chosen a different path. We’ve built a true professional services firm—one rooted in collaboration, accountability, and aligned interests. Our clients don’t just hire a person; they get the collective strength, experience, and insight of our entire team.

Our core values reinforce this mindset. Being Insightful, Contrarian, Agile, Responsive, Synergistic, Accountable, and always Improving isn’t just language on a page. It’s how we show up. It’s why our partnerships—whether with clients, counterparties, or vendors—tend to grow deeper, more productive, and more resilient over time.

We partner with people, certainly—but we also partner with problems. We dig in early. We get ahead of issues. We communicate openly. And we partner with nature itself, respecting the land and helping our clients make decisions that support long‑term performance and sustainability.

What Tom Morris reminded me is that partnership isn’t just a strategy. It’s a philosophy of living well together. And in a complex agricultural world, it’s the only approach that truly scales.

At Scythe & Spade, we’re proud that this isn’t aspirational language—it’s simply who we are and how we operate every day. And we guard it jealously.

If you aren’t following Tom Morris,  you should.