Age: 31
Occupation: Food System Planner, Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development
What’s the best advice you ever received?
To never forget about your family, friends and community – they are your biggest fans.
What do you know now that you wish you had known earlier in your career?
How powerful personal and professional relationships and networks were to getting feedback and assistance in achieving your goals. Over my career I have learned a lot about being willing to ask for help or advice from peers.
How do you ensure a balance between work and your personal life?
I have begun to adjust my schedule to have very few evening meetings and only attend those that are pertinent. At home I only do my professional work once rest of my family has gone to bed. On our farm I try to have my son with me while I do chores or other tasks when it is safe for him to be around. There isn’t a better place that a kid can grow up and learn about working hard and responsibilities.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace?
We want to be leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support?
Beginning Farmer Land Access and Regional Food System Infrastructure , such as on farm food processing including meat, produce, grains, etc.
What is the biggest issue facing the Corridor?
Increasing income gap between rich and poor.
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50?
Own and operate my own farm and food business full-time.
Who are your local mentors?
Laura Krouse, owner of Abbe Hills Farm, and Eric and Ann Franzenburg, owners of Pheasant Run Farm.
