The Journey of Life Through First the Seed

The Journey of Life through First-The Seed

Andrew Lauver, Age 3, Lauver Family Farms, 1993

I never realized how much the seed industry would impact my life as a young child running through the corn fields behind my father, where for every one step he took I ran three to keep up with him on our family farm in Iowa. The 5th generation farm along with 4-H, whose motto is to “Make the Best Better”, ingrained in me the importance of hard work, community involvement, personal tenacity, time management, and negotiation skills to enhance the lives of others.

Lauver Family Farms, 2009

Without hesitation and an interest in learning more, my apprenticeship and orientation to the seed industry began when I became engaged in activities on my family farm and in extracurricular activities through 4-H and FFA. A new world waited outside the farm gate, so I took the next step to enroll in college to fuel my passion for agriculture at Iowa State University. When I enrolled at ISU, I intended to spend several years there and return home after graduation, but I realized the vast world that waited due to the many opportunities in agriculture, and specifically the seed industry.   

The Iowa State University career fair opened my eyes to the immense opportunities, where over 200 companies were present. After meeting the many professionals attending, I accepted an internship with MaxYield Cooperative and spent the summer scouting crops and interacting with farm families. Upon returning to ISU in the Fall, my heart was set on the seed industry and I began to look for future opportunities. It was during this time I became aware of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) through their Campus Connections program. I applied with great interest and was provided an opportunity to attend the ASTA Annual Conference in 2011.

ASTA Metors Jim Schweigert and John Chism

While working for Monsanto’s Channel brand that summer, I recall the day I took off from the airport to attend the ASTA annual conference in Huntington Beach, CA. The impact my first ASTA experience has had on my career trajectory has been unbelievable. It was there that I realized the potential for a career within the seed industry as I networked with industry leaders who have committed their lives to such a noble career by feeding the world. The inspiration that ensued and the mentoring that has occurred as a result have been extremely important to my growth as a young professional. 

 After returning to campus with the tools I gained from the Campus Connections program, I recognized an even greater disconnect between rural and urban agricultural education. Seeking an opportunity to positively influence and address this issue, I began writing for the Iowa State Daily, our campus newspaper, which was missing a focus on agriculture. I regularly composed agricultural opinion articles to provide insight into industry issues such as GMO awareness, leveraging the resources ASTA has available for those with questions to find answers. This initiative led to learning more about ASTA’s resources to advocate for agriculture through Manjit Misra, who is actively involved as a member and a professor at Iowa State. In June of 2012, I once again attended the American Seed Trade Association’s annual conference in Washington, DC on a scholarship from Manjit and Iowa State University. While in DC, we visited the congressional offices of our national leaders and I was able to understand how local, state, and federal regulations, laws, and guidelines affect seed businesses.    

Lauver with Senator Grassley, 2013

Possessing an intrinsic motivation to truly make a difference as a result of this experience through ASTA, I pursued an opportunity to learn from outstanding leaders on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Intern in the United States Senate. An opportunity enabled by ASTA through my interest in giving back to the state and country which has given so much to me, I witnessed firsthand the positive impact an agricultural enthusiast can make.  This experience provided unique perspectives on Capitol Hill relating to issues such as immigration and agriculture, strengthening interest in serving others throughout the seed business and rural America.  

Lauver on the Prairies of Western Canada, 2014

Enabled by opportunities within the seed business and industry mentors through ASTA, I capitalized on this unique experience by developing a global perspective, when I moved to Canada on an international work assignment for DuPont Pioneer. Relocating to a new environment, I relied heavily on industry mentors I had met through ASTA’s Campus Connections program and joined the Future Seed Executives Program to  invest in personal and professional development as a young professional.

Lauver operating a UAV while scouting crops, 2015

I returned to the U.S. in December of 2014 on a domestic business assignment to sell corn and soybeans across the state of Wisconsin and began a Master’s program at Kansas State University. It was yet again that my ASTA Campus Connections experience was the reason for success as I was promoted to this position by one of my managers who had attended the 2011 ASTA conference where we first met.

In 2015, an opportunity presented itself to sell precision agriculture services across Western Iowa and also farm with my family. Digital technology is rapidly evolving and ASTA is providing support at the front of the revolution that is occurring right before our eyes as agriculturalists. Assisting farmers with variable rate seeding and variable rate nitrogen is not only good for the environment, but also good for farm gate profitability. Yet again I noticed the connection between the policies that affected the farmers at the farm gate and the priorities of the American Seed Trade Association.

Throughout my time building my precision services business I remained connected to ASTA through the Future Seed Executives (FuSE). This was an outstanding way to have communication with industry peers who worked for companies across the country, even though I was isolated to a specific sales area and work on the farm.  

Lauver analyzing corn emergence on the family farm, 2017

After serving on several local Farm Bureau and Corn Grower’s boards I felt the desire to develop a greater understanding of the connection between the law and the farm gate, so I enrolled in Agricultural Law School at Drake University. Drake Law does an excellent job of providing a practical legal education and I knew right where I wanted to spend the summer after my first year of law school, which was immersed in agricultural policy on Capitol Hill with the American Seed Trade Association.

Over the course of the summer, I was actively involved in projects ranging from composing information to be reviewed by White House staff, meeting with members of Congress to discuss priorities for our ASTA members, and composing information related to the Food Safety Modernization Act. The American Seed Trade Association is a champion for seed companies across the country and I am grateful for my experience to contribute to such an important organization within the fabric of American agriculture. I look forward to contributing to and giving back to the seed industry throughout my career, since it has done so much to enhance my personal and professional quality of life.

Lauver at the American Seed Trade Association, 2018

From Cloud to Cup: Why Farm Families Care for Land and Water

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Andrew Lauver: Age 3

This is a common question posed to children throughout the world at the family dinner table, or on the playground. For me, the answer to this question is simple. "I want to be just like Dad, because he's a farmer", I would tell my mother and others when asked this question throughout childhood, and even to this day.


You see, as a farm family we're truly trying to build something that will last forever. A sentiment that can be felt over our amber waves of grain throughout this great nation, where according to the USDA, 97% of the 2.1 million farms in the United States remained family-owned farm operations. 

L to R: Andrew, Kevin, Don, and Jacob Lauver 

How is this so?

The recipe for this success is not so simple, volatile prices, wind, hail, farm accidents, each of these factors can break or hinder such a tradition from flourishing. Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, how we conserve the land to ensure the next generation will find it in the shape our ancestors discovered it when they arrived to fulfill their American dream must be top of mind. The path to continual generation success starts with conservation, plus conversation. Again, as a family, we're trying to build something that will last forever. To do so, we must invest to preserve our land for future generations. For example, as a young farmer, I would not have the opportunity to return home to the farm and carry on the family tradition, if it were not for the conservation minded- approach my family has taken for five generations. I know the best thing I can do is to preserve the land through conservation, in order to pass it down to the next generation the way my father and grandfather have done for my brother and me. 

A grass terrace limiting erosion

Conservation plays an integral role in the success of our operation and ensures optimal water quality for consumers downstream. Waterways and terraces help prevent erosion, 50 acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program filters the water, and we use minimum tillage on all of our acres. We have noticed reduced erosion as a result of using minimum tillage and the terraces and waterways that we have in place. We know it's working because we have seen an increase in wildlife since putting in the CRP acres. The ways in which we do this presently are through the Conservation Reserve Program, terraces, taking soil samples, waterways, and minimum tillage. I encourage farmers to look at their operations and see where they can improve their conservation plan. My advice is to keep an open mind and network with other farmers to learn about successful conservation practices. You may be surprised at how much conservation practices can benefit your farm, both from an economic and environmental standpoint. 

Soil sampling for Spring nitrogen levels to limit over application

Conservation reserve program land providing wildlife habitat, reducing erosion, and filtering water. 

As I reflect on this life, I revert back to a high school classroom my senior year of High School. I recall the teacher informing us that "You may not realize it yet, but you've each won the birth lottery graduating from High School in this country." Not only had he meant we'd won the birth lottery by being born in America, but by the grace of God that we'd been born in a small rural community where quality of life is unrivaled. As life progressed, I found myself sitting next to my 84 year-old grandfather last fall combining corn for the first time, while he sat in the "buddy" seat I had grown up in. For the first time, I felt like I had cashed-in my birth lottery ticket. A life needs little more to be fulfilled in this country as we work to feed Iowans and the world from our family farm gates. I want my child, if he or she so desires to look up at me and say "Dad, I want to be a farmer just like you." But first, it is my job to now conserve the land and and care for our water quality to leave that door open. As family farms, we are united in the goal of building something that will last forever to feed Iowans and the world. 

Andrew Lauver: Age 3 

Why buy a calf for your kid?

Why buy a calf for your kid? 

                “Remember, the calves eat breakfast before you do, Andrew.” Those eight words were cemented in my brain as I walked to eat my Cheerios each morning on the family farm, and still resonate today. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was learning hard work, tenacity, persistence, and time management as I walked outside in the -10 degree January weather to feed my heifers and steers,  before I ate my Cheerios and boarded the bus for school. Grandma even once said to my mother over a holiday, “You need to tie a rope around his waist in an effort not to lose him in this snowstorm!” The lessons I learned during my 10 years at the end of a lead rope are still the lessons I use today as a working professional. It didn't matter how the day was going, good or bad, morning or night, the livestock depended on me for their meal twice a day, whether I felt like the young girl below, or young boy having a bad day. 

In the fast paced world we live in that hardly allows time for a big mac and fries, it seems that dinnertime has become a “6’o clock scramble” instead of a time to talk about the day and learn more about each other. It’s a proven fact that having dinner as a family reduces the chances of kids becoming involved in risky behaviors and ultimately increases performance academically, while cultivating better relationships with parents. If your child has a calf, it’s a wonderful family bonding activity for all siblings and parents involved in its care, in addition to the family time you may already enjoy. 

    

             As a 4-H’er and young stockman, children also learn the importance of financial responsibility. You see, you must be able to profitably raise your calf, or you may not be able to purchase a calf again next year, which means you'll be out of business. A tough lesson to learn at a young age, but one that can be easily avoided with good management and oversight from a supportive parent. 4-H requires you to keep records of your cost of feed, transportation, and also equipment needed to show your calf. This develops fiscal responsibility at an early age that is a transferrable skill that can be carried throughout life, regardless of occupation.

                “Patience is a virtue”, and it’s something we all wish we had more of at times. However, when raising a calf, you’re working with an domesticated animal. You care for the calf and work with it daily to ensure they’re it's behaved for it's big day at the exposition. For those of you that haven’t shown a calf before, envision the Westminster dog show, except with cattle. Now, it’s not that fancy, but leading the calves around the ring is what occurs, just like the dog show. Reaching this big day doesn't just happen, it takes days, months and even a year in most cases to get that calf to the ring. Dedication, and most of all patience, is exhibited at its highest level, again at a young age. 

              

                 As we all well know, life and death is another crucial component of life for all of us. When raising male calves (steers), the child is raising a terminal animal. This means at the end of the year, the child is going to have to say goodbye to the animal and it will be sold to be processed into meat. As a past 4-H’er I can tell you this wasn't easy as a young child, but something I came to appreciate. The lesson to be learned is that all things come to an end in life, your contributions are greater than yourself,  and you are impacting the world and making it a better place. 

How so? Well in the case of raising a beef animal, the calf is going to end up in the global food chain, and even perhaps feeding a family in another country (like this young man below).

Finally, in a world where production agriculture is pressured constantly by the ever-increasing divide between rural and urban, the care that’s given by children and their parents to calves on their acreage or farm is quite similar to the care that’s given to a poodle on the 33^rd story of an apartment in Manhattan. Farmers and ranchers care for their animals and their well-being is at top of mind.

  

                So, where can one go to seek such opportunities to enable and develop the minds of youth? 

               There are many other things any young child can do such as volunteer in their community, join a sports team, and assist with projects around the house. These valuable opportunities teach communication skills, responsibility, and the necessity of listening to superiors. The key to these opportunities is support and encouragement, a young person must be driven to areas to perform these activities, or they may need financial assistance to make them happen, and the support of parents and siblings is greatly appreciated. 

               Furthermore, joining a global youth organization such as 4-H is a great step. As stated on the 4-H youth development website www.4-h.org , “4-H grows confident, capable and caring kids with the life skills to thrive in today's world and succeed in their boldest dreams for tomorrow.” 

So, why buy a calf for your kid? 



           Thank you to all of the family members who helped make this blog post happen over the course of 18 years! 

Top Agricultural Quotes

Top Agricultural Quotes 

“Good farming, clear thinking, right living”- Henry A. Wallace

“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”-Thomas Jefferson

“I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.”- George Washington

“I've always believed that if you envision something that hasn't been, that can be, and bring it into being, that is a tremendously worthwhile thing to do.” - Henry A. Wallace

"Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call her own"- Samuel Johnson 

“Farming looks easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from a cornfield- Dwight D. Eisenhower

“The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways”- John F. Kennedy

“A farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn't still be a farmer”- Will Rodgers

“I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman’s cares”- George Washington

“Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man”- George Washington

“My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman and a preacher but every day, three times a day, you need a farmer.” - Brenda Schoepp 

GMO's- Meeting the Needs of Global Agriculture

GMO's- Meeting the Needs of Global Agriculture 

The term "genetically modified organism" can mean different things to different people. At the Iowa State vs. Iowa football game, I was told by an opposing fan: “You do know that bananas are made in factories, don’t you?” I calmly stated, “I’m sorry, but this banana was picked from a banana tree, most likely in Costa Rica.” I was then told: “No, that banana was made in a factory; it doesn't have seeds, and is genetically modified.” After referencing trees and Costa Rica again, I realized I was not going to change this Hawkeye’s mind. I said farewell and received an “I just made you smarter, didn’t I, farmer?” as a goodbye.

Planting genetically modified corn on our family farm in Iowa  

So what is a genetically modified organism?

Such organisms are ones that have had their genetic material altered through genetic engineering. Some of the reasons crops, for example, have these traits inserted into them is to decrease pest pressure and limit the use of additional herbicides. Limiting the use of herbicides is crucial as we strive to promote a healthy environment for both humans and wildlife around the world.

Unfortunately, a large part of the population has a distorted perspective of these trait-carrying crops. The popular belief of organizations such as the Alliance for Natural Health is genetically modified organisms are not safe to consume. Those organizations claim one simply cannot test genetically modified organisms for safety to one's health. We have groups such as Millions against Monsanto spending time and money to create a negative buzz around genetically modified organisms.

These special interest groups have a goal of reverting back to production practices of the early 1900s that simply won’t produce enough food or our growing population.

In contrast, it is encouraging to see groups bridging the gap between farmers and consumers explaining the benefits of genetically modified crops to our globally interconnected society, such as the American Farm Bureau, The Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food,  and National Corn Grower's Association .

Unlike the early 1900s, when 40 percent of Americans lived on farms across the nation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture now says fewer than 2 percent of Americans live on farms. American farmers must be more productive, cognizant of land stewardship, and must also create a safe reliable food supply for the consumer through the use of genetically modified organisms.

Our world is going to have to become more dependent on genetically modified crops because of the increasing population and yields these traits offer. According to the USDA, there is a good reason for concern about our ability to feed 9 billion people by the year 2050. In order for farmers to be able to produce enough food to feed the increase of 2 billion people during the next 38 years, we are going to have to utilize biotechnology.

Moreover, we will be farming less fertile land due to land degradation. According to the National Resources Conservation Service, we have seen the productivity of several areas around the world decline by 50 percent due to soil loss. Many of these areas have malnourished people, especially developing countries in West Africa.

If we don’t take advantage of genetically modified crops and the increased yields they offer, we are going to be dealing with a lot more issues of hunger in the future. We have already been taught that when food prices go up due to less supply, developing countries can afford less food. It is morally unacceptable to let the starvation increase or even continue, for that matter. We must use these genetically modified organisms to our advantage to feed the hungry planet.

The root cause of the future issue we are facing is the supply and demand of the world’s grains. It is senseless not to use the technology we have created with the resources provided around us. Envision buying a new tractor to increase efficiency, but letting it sit in the shed and plowing with a horse instead. It simply doesn't make sense in our current world fueled by technology and innovation.

Today's farmers and agribusinesses are dedicated to creating a safe, affordable, and abundant supply of food for families across the world. If we have safe ways to increase yields that will feed more people, why not use them?

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) 

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.