Growing up in Southwest Iowa, it doesn’t take long to realize that the phrase “corn is in everything” isn’t just a saying — it’s the reality when living in the endless cornfield of Iowa. Surrounded by farmland and a strong sense of agricultural tradition, farming isn’t just a profession in the Midwest — it’s part of the culture. Almost everyone I knew growing up was either a farmer, related to one, or had close ties to agriculture. In high school, it was common for my friends to rush home after class to help with chores — feeding cows, driving grain carts during harvest, tending to goats and chickens, and pitching in on the family farm.
My own summers were spent immersed in agriculture, working early mornings at a calf ranch where my dad served as manager. It was during these formative years that I found a deep interest in both the dairy industry and the broader world of agriculture. That passion led me to join my high school’s FFA chapter, an experience that expanded my understanding of agriculture beyond the typical image of livestock and crops.
FFA Opens Doors to Opportunities
FFA introduced me to the diversity within the field — from horticulture and forestry to food science and conservation. One of the most unexpected yet rewarding experiences was soil judging. Competing against students from other schools, we evaluated soil profiles, learning to identify the physical features that make soil unique and, ultimately, essential. While plants and animals often steal the spotlight, soil judging gave me a profound appreciation for the earth beneath our feet — the foundation of all agriculture.
Feet on the Ground
Ironically, I once dreamed of being an astronaut when I was younger — about as far from the ground as one can get. But as life would have it, I ended up dedicating my career to studying the very soil I once overlooked. That passion led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agronomy at South Dakota State University. There, I gained a deeper understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological processes within soil and how they interact with the crops we grow. Every soil tells a story, and it can take hundreds of years to form just a single inch of it.
My collegiate years continued to build on my love for soil judging, offering opportunities to travel across the country, study regional soil differences, and connect with like-minded students from other universities.
Roots in Dairy
After my undergraduate degree, I wanted to merge my academic background with my roots in dairy. This led me to the University of Idaho, where I pursued a master’s degree in Soil and Land Resources. I worked out of the Twin Falls Research and Extension Center in the heart of Idaho’s Snake Valley. This region has experienced rapid agricultural growth, particularly in the dairy sector. Over the past two decades, the number of dairy cattle in the region has nearly doubled, bringing opportunities and challenges.
One of those challenges is nutrient management. With such a high concentration of livestock, managing manure production and feed imports becomes increasingly complex. I worked with university researchers on a project that involved interseeding forage crops into silage corn to enhance nutrient uptake in fields amended with manure. This research experience gave me firsthand insight into the intricacies and hurdles dairymen face when applying sustainable practices on their land.
AGPROfessionals
As my time in Twin Falls came to a close, I began searching for a career that would allow me to continue bridging the gap between my education and my agricultural background. That search led me to AGPROfessionals — a company with over two decades of experience advocating for dairymen, ranchers, and agricultural producers. In August 2024, I joined the team as an Agronomist.
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to apply my knowledge in a wide range of areas — from manure application recommendations and soil sampling to nutrient management planning and CAFO permitting documentation. Each project has been a deep dive into the complex and rewarding world of modern agriculture.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue learning, growing, and advocating for an industry that has shaped me from the very beginning.
Agriculture isn’t just a career — it’s a calling. And I’m proud to be part of it.