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Yesterday we celebrated a significant event — Women in Agriculture Day in Iowa. For the third consecutive year, we partnered with FarmHer, Iowa FFA Foundation and Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program to obtain a state proclamation celebrating the women who make the ag industry prosper. This year, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds invited us and our partners in this effort for a formal proclamation signing, officially designating March 24 as Women in Agriculture Day in Iowa.

The proclamation says, “Iowa is taking decisive action to recognize the nearly 50,000 women who serve in leadership, support and influential, decision-making roles across Iowa’s 85,000 farms. And, in addition to working on the farm, women in agriculture make a difference across the state in various commodity and industry fields.”

While we seek ways to honor our employees, partners and other ag industry professionals every day, we chose March 24 for Women in Agriculture Day because it falls within both Women's History Month and National Agriculture Week (March 20–26). In addition to the state proclamation, we kicked off our annual Women in Ag campaign in early March. Throughout the campaign, we interviewed women from many facets of the industry who have been key in fostering success in their roles and guiding the future generation of ag leaders. A few of their stories, as well as our 2022 Women in Ag video, are below.

2022 Women in Ag video

Stine Seedcast Episode 9: Women in Ag: Renae Schmidt (Also available on your preferred podcast app).

Stine Seedcast Episode 10: Women in Ag: Susanne (Kinzenbaw) Veatch (Also available on your preferred podcast app).

Stine Seedcast Episode 11: Women in Ag: McKenzie Gettler (Also available on your preferred podcast app).

Blog: Paige Harris: Giving the next generation of women in ag so much to look up to!

Blog: Michelle Nelson: Educator, mother and a self-proclaimed people person

Blog: Jill Melby: Returning to agriculture to inspire the next generation

As part of this year’s celebration, we hosted a Women in Agriculture Day reception at the iconic Stine Barn on March 24. Guests heard from Stine general counsel Brenda Stine, in addition to representatives from our partners in this effort — Marji Alaniz, president and founder of FarmHer; Zoie Shook, advancement specialist, Iowa FFA Foundation; and Dr. Cayla Taylor, senior educational program development manager. While Women in Agriculture Day in Iowa is passed, we look forward to continuing our monthlong celebration of women in agriculture. We encourage individuals to join in celebrating with us by sharing their ag stories on social media using the hashtag #TogetHER4Ag today. And those who wish to learn more about the day or how Stine is celebrating women in agriculture throughout March are welcome to follow our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube pages, or catch additional Women in Ag episodes on our podcast — the Stine Seedcast — available wherever podcasts are found.

Though she’d always fondly remembered growing up on her family’s farm near Dunlap, Iowa, Jill Melby didn’t envision herself spending her adult years raising cattle and pigs and growing row crops.

But love, family, professional passions and the pull of the vibrant ag industry brought Jill back to her hometown in western Iowa. And without sacrificing any of her goals, Jill has carved out a fulfilling career in agriculture that also has allowed her to inspire the next generation. 

Life on the farm
When Jill was a child, she thought agriculture played a central role in everyone’s daily life.

“I thought everyone had rows upon rows of sweet corn outside their house and a big garden,” Jill remembered. “My grandparents, aunts and cousins would all come over to pick and can sweet corn. We would all husk and cook the corn to then bag or can it. I thought every family did this. It was fun to get everyone together at the house.”

And while many of the memories were as sweet as the corn, Jill still experienced the less idyllic parts of farm life. When she was grounded, for instance, Jill had to scoop buckets of corn by hand to feed the cows, pouring corn into the troughs as quickly as possible while the cows pushed and shoved to get to the food.

After high school, Jill headed to Simpson College where she got a degree in marketing and sports administration.

“I wanted off the farm as fast as I could get out of there,” Jill confessed. 

Back to her roots
Jill was working in Omaha after college when she learned about her father’s plan for her and her sister to take over the family farm. After considering his plans, she decided to lay the groundwork for her transition back home by opening her own bridal business, Wild Daisy Bridal. During one of her frequent visits to her hometown, she met husband, Doug, and moved back to Dunlap.

Jill found a great farming partner in Doug. It wasn’t long after Jill introduced Doug to her family that Doug lent a helping hand on a big farm project.

“Now Doug and I are getting our feet wet with farming by renting some acres to farm and helping my parents with planting and harvest,” Jill said.

And just like the lessons Jill learned of feeding the cattle by hand while grounded, Jill’s father has a way of ensuring Jill and her sister stay down-to-earth while learning how to manage the family’s farm.

“My father has also been teaching my sister and me the business the hard way, starting with our farthest piece of ground in Glidden, Iowa,” Jill said. “We do the paperwork; help with planting and harvest; and purchase the seed, chemicals, and insurance to learn the business.”  

Outside of the family farm, the ag industry still takes center stage in Jill’s professional life. Jill is the marketing manager for Puck Enterprises, a liquid transfer equipment manufacturer, and manages four brands for the company. It’s a role she said she never thought she’d be in but wouldn’t trade now.  

“I can honestly tell you that I didn’t think I would ever be posting on social media and creating videos about liquid transfer equipment that is used in the manure pumping industry, but here I am!” she said. “And I love that I get to walk outside the office and see it all being made right here in small town Manning, Iowa.”  

Inspiring the next generation
As Puck Enterprises expands, so will its workforce. Jill is eager for the growth and excited to work with young people who have a passion for the ag industry, such as Puck Enterprises’ summer intern, Nicole.

“Nicole is an ag communications major at Iowa State University, and I can’t wait for our marketing team to teach her about the different aspects of marketing,” Jill said. “I’m sure we can learn from her, too.”

In addition to Puck Enterprises’ intern, Jill’s stepson, Devin, has a passion for the ag industry. Unlike Jill’s mindset as a teenager, 16-year-old Devin is planning to farm. During the pandemic, Devin spent a lot of time with Jill’s father on the farm, hauling corn to the grain bin and learning about other farm tasks. Devin hopes to pursue welding or diesel mechanics so he can fix his own equipment when he starts farming.

As a woman in agriculture who leads marketing for multiple ag brands, works the family’s farm and continues to run her own business, Jill knows the success that hard work can bring. She wants to impart that knowledge on the next generation of ag workers.

When she was a young child, Jill remembers having to watch the gate while her family was chasing cows. By standing at the gate, she was able to keep an eye on the action and any errant livestock. Now, she hates watching the gate and wants in on the action.

“I want aspiring farmers and ag workers to know that hard work pays off,” Jill said. “Don’t stand back and watch the gate. Jump in and do the hard stuff.”

Teacher. Mother. Regional sales agronomist. Michelle Nelson has worn many hats and explored many passions throughout her life, but one underlying constant that drives her to do what she loves is people. She’s a self-proclaimed people person, which is why many of her roles have revolved around educating others.

A career forged by educating
Michelle was a teacher for two decades where she devoted her life to molding young minds. But when it was time for a change, she turned to the advice of some friends, which led her to the industry that feeds and fuels the world. Michelle now serves as a regional sales agronomist (RSA) for Stine’s Region 36, which covers southern North Dakota.

As an RSA, Michelle still teaches people. But, instead of educating youth, she’s working with a designated group of sales reps who look to her for advice on Stine’s product lineup, programs and agronomic support that can help their grower customers achieve (and exceed) their yield goals. One of her goals as an RSA is to grow Stine’s presence in the region and do whatever she can to help increase and retain business with growers.

A welcoming work-life balance
As a woman in agriculture, Michelle often balances her role as an RSA with the most important role there is — parenting. Fortunately, Michelle feels she has found the right balance in her career and home life.

“I love the lifestyle of my job! It is not hard to have a life outside of work. Our company is also very family oriented, so we are able to plan things around our family’s events.”

She appreciates that she can get her work done while the kids are at school and focus entirely on her family as soon as she’s off the clock.

“I have two kids. My daughter, Camry, is 16; and my son, Carter, is 13. … For the most part, I am able to get my work done while the kids are at school. They are responsible kids, so when I have to travel or have evening events, they are able to manage.”

As for Camry’s and Carter’s opinions of mom working in the ag industry, “They think it’s great, and they are proud of me for trying something new.”

Educating the next generation of women in ag
A value she tries to instill in her children each day and one she hopes the next generation of women in ag keep top of mind is to “Do something you love. Work hard and have fun doing it. It won’t be a ‘job’ then.” We’d say this is a great piece of advice for anyone in life! 

And while there are ample opportunities for women in agriculture, Michelle notes that as long as an individual is outgoing, organized and confident, they’ll excel in the industry. She also wants young women to know how fun it is, but confidence is key.

“Some might think we (as women in ag) don’t know as much. If you have confidence and you know how to connect with people, things will fall into place.”

A love for the great outdoors
Outside of the office (or field), Michelle enjoys spending time with family and traveling to the beach or mountains. She also has a passion for sports, including golf and skiing, and enjoys spending time at the family’s lake cabin.

From parenting to elevating the Stine name in southern North Dakota and everything in between, Michelle is an inspiration for those she educates and helps evolve in their own careers. Thanks, Michelle, for sharing your Women in Ag story!