A Life Bound by Agriculture

A Life Bound by Agriculture

I grew up on a fifth generation family farm near Rockwell City, Iowa. It was on this farm that I developed a passion for agriculture at a young age “farming the carpet” with my younger brother, a future AGR, and riding with my father and grandfather in the tractor and combine from dawn until dusk. Farm work required family, perseverance, tenacity, and time-management.  This was reflected upon around the dinner table each evening when my mother would say “Boys, tell us about your day”. Whether we were kicked by one of our 4-H calves during evening chores, dissected a frog in biology class, or asked a girl to the FFA sweetheart dance, we talked about the daily occurrences. 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 the ever-changing world of agriculture in years to come, by joining the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.

The Lauver Family (Kevin, Linda, Andrew, and Jacob) 

In my first few weeks in the fraternity, I quickly realized that Alpha Gamma Rho would be an incredible place to call home nurturing friendships and promoting professional development in an unrivaled manner. It didn't take long to grasp the fact that many of the other brothers had sat at a similar family table to the one I had grown up around. Our housemother Jan Brown, improved our dinner etiquette, and older members continued to push us as a group to seek the highest standard of leadership, scholarship, and professionalism.  As brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho we will strive to emulate the upperclassmen’s qualities for the rest of our lives.

As time went on, it was evident that being brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho was not going to be simply a place to rest our heads in the evening, and a place to brush our teeth in the morning. No, it was much more; Alpha Gamma Rho was preparing us for life, just like those family meals.

As brothers in Alpha Gamma Rho, we are now quite possibly charged with the greatest challenge ever seen in agriculture to date. By 2050, the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts our population to grow to 9 billion people, and all Americans will be competing for a meal at the world’s table. As Alpha Gamma Rho members, we have been guided by the most impressive set of alumni advisors, housemothers, and industry professionals that anyone could ever ask for to meet this opportunity head on.

So, how does Alpha Gamma Rho prepare us for the ever-changing world of agriculture?

At some point, we must all say goodbye to the fraternity and enter the real world. On June 3^rd, 2013 I entered the “real world” or “after life” as some would call it, when I began working for DuPont Pioneer as the Frank Ross International Business Emerging Leader. I had worked 22 years for the opportunity to contribute to the field that I have been passionate about since I had come home from the hospital with a Pioneer bib and a John Deere tractor waiting in my crib. 

 Growing up on the farm in Iowa- Andrew Lauver 

                My first position at DuPont Pioneer has been an exceptional one. The position was 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. Now in my full-time role, it is my mission to give back to the company that has invested so much in me by collaborating with others to address global issues in agriculture, and returning on their investment.

As members of Alpha Gamma Rho, we all have the opportunity to give back to the organization that has given so much to us, in so many ways. It is promoting the ideals of Alpha Gamma Rho for the rest of our lives through representation during our professional careers, recruitment of our young brothers into the industry, and educating youth about the opportunities in agriculture that are of utmost importance.

 Indeed, I can tell you with great confidence that the future is bright in agriculture with the brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho leading the way all across this great nation, and world. I am forever grateful for my years spent in Alpha Gamma Rho, and I look forward to the many fun and challenging opportunities in the years ahead!

Fraternally,

Andrew Lauver

Eta Chapter “2061” 

(Article written for the Alpha Gamma Rho Sickle and Sheaf Winter 2014 Issue)