You Can Never Dream Big Enough

I grew up on a fifth generation family farm near Rockwell City, Iowa. On this farm, I developed a passion for agriculture at a young age, riding with my father and grandfather in the tractor from dawn until dusk. Farm work required family, perseverance, tenacity, and time-management. What I didn't realize at the time, was how this upbringing was preparing me to join hands with other like-minded young agriculturalists to conquer challenges in today's ever-changing world of agriculture.

My passion led me to study agriculture at Iowa State University, complete industry internships, and ultimately propelled me to become an AFA Leaders Conference delegate. On the last evening of my first AFA Conference, we listened to Orion Samuelson speak to us about the future of agriculture. It was during this impactful speech that he articulated six words that have empowered me to think differently about my life and career in agriculture. “You can never dream big enough."

Orion Samuelson at the 2011 Agriculture Future of America Award Dinner 

So where have Orion’s six words taken me?

On June 3, 2013, I entered the “real world”, working for DuPont Pioneer as their Frank Ross International Business Emerging Leader in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The full-time role is named after one of the greatest leaders Pioneer Hi-Bred International has ever seen. His name was Frank Ross, and he was a driven visionary who had a special interest in nurturing young talent. In fact, he had such an admiration for the AFA Leaders Conference and attendees, he was known to offer students full-time positions on the spot, impressed with the professionalism and charisma they exhibited.

It has been a unique international adventure thus far, with the prairie provinces of Western Canada playing host to many soils, crops, livestock, and ultimately the farmers, who are the critical resource we need to feed our growing global population. The primary crops grown in Western Canada are canola, wheat and pulse crops, such as peas and lentils. However, the industry leading innovation of seed companies such as DuPont Pioneer are bringing early season corn and soybeans to the prairie today. The enthusiasm for these new crops it contagious amongst the farmers, since they can plant them for the first time in history.

Now, more than ever, in a globalized world, all of us have the opportunity to pursue our dreams, while giving back to the industry that has given so much to us. As young agriculturalists, we are charged with the greatest challenge ever seen in agriculture to date with our global population growing to 9 billion people by 2050. It is this growing population that offers opportunities to “never dream big enough” to develop our skillsets and contribute to the growing needs at the worlds family table. Indeed, the future is bright. We truly can never dream big enough.