I am Ag because I love connecting alumni or industry professionals with young, up-and-coming leaders that are excited about the future of agriculture. Many may think that agriculture is only farming of raising animals and plants, but it’s so much more than that.
I grew up in the town of Renville, about 13,000 people at the time. I lived on a farm that produced corn, soybeans, sugar beets and sometimes sweet corn and peas. I graduated from Renville High School and I was very involved in 4-H and FFA. I now work and live in the Twin Cities metro, but I still have that deep connection to rural agriculture communities in Greater Minnesota.
I am the director of Alumni and Constituent Relations at the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Minnesota. My job is connecting students whether they’re undergrad or graduate students with alums and professionals. These alums are from various colleges at the University of Minnesota.
We have a mentoring program that matches students whether they are freshman or P.H.D. candidates, with professionals in their field of interest. Students of all ages and interests can find career opportunities in agriculture. Examples include ag banking, or grain elevator operations, equipment business, plant science, ag engineering and ag journalism.
My definition of ag is unlimited possibilities. No matter what your interest or position is, you have a way to be involved in agriculture. It’s a part of everyone’s daily lives, and it’s a cutting-edge area with technology and opportunities for growth.
If you’re looking for a place where you can have a great home and a great environment, that’s certainly GreenSeam. Places like Mankato, for example, are great agribusiness hubs. There’s a rich history of success in that region. I hope that the U of M continues to be seen as a valued partner of the future success in the GreenSeam region.
