Women in Ag

The Illinois Farm Family Who Inspired Lay’s ‘Last Harvest’ Super Bowl Commercial

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:51:34 GMT

It was a one-minute spot that captured hearts on Super Bowl Sunday. Lay’s “Last Harvest” commercial told the story of a farm family passing the torch from one generation to the next, rooted in memories, hard work and the bond between parent and child.

While the story in the Super Bowl ad was fictional, it was inspired by the real-life experiences of third-generation potato producer Tom Neumiller and his daughter Katie Floming, the fourth generation working alongside him at Neumiller Farms in Savanna, Ill.

A Story That Hits Home

Floming, operations manager at Neumiller Farms, recalls watching the commercial for the first time.

“I was so touched. It really hit home for me,” she says. “Growing up, if I wanted to see my parents, I had to go to the farm because they were always working. That’s where we spent our family time, quick meals, then back to work. I loved it. There are no complaints there. Being present at the farm was everything.”

The commercial’s depiction of a young girl chasing her parents through potato fields and learning the ropes mirrored Katie’s own childhood experiences. She laughs as she recalls one particular scene.

“When she came outside wearing white tennis shoes to work, that hit home. I remember showing up in sandals, and my dad would just shake his head. I had to go home and change,” Floming says..

For Neumiller, seeing their family’s life portrayed on such a massive stage was humbling.

“Farmers don’t usually end up in Super Bowl commercials, but this is very nice,” he says. “For that one-minute ad, they captured a farm family and our legacy all in one. It was just amazing.”

Floming adds that the story resonated with many viewers beyond their family.

“It’s very relatable. People would come up at the Super Bowl and say, ‘My grandfather was in that situation’ or ‘My family didn’t have the option to pass it on.’ It’s a story that connects with most people,” she says.

Farming in Northern Illinois: Unique Challenges

Neumiller Farms isn’t a typical potato operation. Neumiller explains growing potatoes in northern Illinois requires creativity, considering they are the lone family growing potatoes in northern Illinois.

“We’re the only ones in the area,” Neumiller says. “You need good water and light, sandy soil. Illinois has pockets of sand, so we’ve become a very mobile farm. We have one farm 150 miles away, another 30 miles south and another 15 miles north. It allows us to manage the light soils and adequate water we need.”

Floming now manages daily operations, but Neumiller remains deeply involved.

“I’m old school. I want to be involved in everything,” he says. “I talk to the managers every day. I get here early and stay around, maybe too long, but I stay involved in everything.”

The family works side by side, literally.

Floming says: “Our desks are right next to each other. We’re constantly feeding off each other, and we always know what’s going on.”

Neumiller smiles, adding: “My wife’s on the other side, and we’ve been married 54 years. She’s been involved in the business from way back.”

“He doesn’t get a break,” Floming quips.

Passing the Torch

Though Neumiller hopes for a few more harvests, Floming embraces the responsibility of continuing the family legacy.

“I’m very thankful to still be farming alongside my dad,” she says. “He’s grown the farm, but it’s my responsibility to keep it going, for our family, our employees and our community. I want to do the best I can to preserve our foundation while building for the future.”

A plaque on the wall of Neumiller Farms signifies seven decades of producing potatoes for Frito-Lay, a partnership that made their story perfect for Lay’s Super Bowl spotlight.

Neumiller reflects on the broader significance: “All of us farmers, we’re not usually in the spotlight. But it’s an honor to show the connection between soil, farming and the food we produce. Sustainability, passing on the farm, doing the job right — it all matters. Our story continues, and that’s what I hope to pass on.”

A Last Harvest That Connected Us All

As Lay’s “Last Harvest” reminded viewers on Super Bowl Sunday, the foods we enjoy come from real families working the land, generation after generation. For the Neumillers, that legacy is alive and thriving, one potato at a time, creating a story that connected us all.

If you thought the 60-second commercial was memorable, watch the full three-minute version on Lay’s YouTube page .

Farm Journal Announces 2026 Top Producer Award Finalists

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:31:04 GMT

Farm Journal has announced three finalists for the prestigious 2026 Top Producer of the Year Award, honoring some of the most progressive and successful farm operations in the country. The winner and finalists will be formally recognized at the 2026 Top Producer Summit , agriculture’s premier executive-level conference for elite farmers and ranchers, which is set for Feb. 9-11 in Nashville, Tenn. Also presented at the event will be the Next Generation Award and Women in Agriculture Award.

“The Top Producer Awards celebrate operations that are building resilient, innovative and future-focused businesses,” said Margy Eckelkamp, brand leader of Top Producer. “These finalists and award winners represent the very best of modern agriculture: strong family leadership, diversification, technology adoption and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”

2026 Top Producer of the Year Award Finalists:

Alsum Farms, Friesland, Wis. – A multigenerational family operation producing potatoes, pumpkins, hay, alfalfa and other rotational crops across more than 3,600 acres. The business is fully vertically integrated, overseeing production, packing and marketing. Leadership spans generations with the founder serving as CEO since 1981 now working alongside his two daughters who hold leadership roles in the business.

Dalton Farms, Wakeman, Ohio – A seventh-generation family farm led by Rebecca and Edward Dalton. The operation includes 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans, a 400-head cattle herd with direct-to-consumer beef sales and a growing on-farm market offering locally-sourced chicken, pork and maple syrup. Their story reflects both diversification and successful generational transition following a family split in the 1990s.

Splitter Farms, Sterling, Kan. – Led by Matt and Janna Splitter, this Kansas row-crop operation spans 1,400 owned acres with nearly 18,500 acres farmed annually through cash rent and custom work. After the sudden passing of Matt’s father in 2010, the couple returned to the farm and scaled the business using data-driven decision-making, strong landowner relationships and disciplined business management. Notably, this marks the first time a previous Next Generation Award winner has advanced to a Top Producer of the Year finalist.

The 2026 Top Producer of the Year award is sponsored by BASF and Fendt.

2026 Next Generation Award Winner

Tim Nuss, El Dorado Hills/Lodi, Calif., is the 2026 Next Gen Award winner. Nuss farms garlic, tomatoes, peppers, melons, herbs, pumpkins, cucumbers and grains with his father and brother while also building a powerful off-farm ag influencing business. He serves as CFO of Nuss Farms. He’s also head of business development at Polaris Energy Services, an ag tech irrigation company, hosts the “Modern Acre” podcast, and recently co-launched AgList, an online biologicals review and ratings platform designed to bring transparency to the ag inputs marketplace.

The 2026 Next Generation Award is sponsored by Pioneer and Fendt.

2026 Women in Agriculture Award Winner

Helle Ruddenklau, Amity, Ore., is the 2026 Women in Ag Award winner. Ruddenklau Farms in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, growing grass seed, wheat, vegetables, peas and hazelnuts. Originally from Denmark, she immigrated to the U.S. at age 15, later meeting her husband, Bruce, while on an exchange program in New Zealand. In addition to serving as CFO of their farming operation, she is deeply involved in ag advocacy and economic development, working through organizations such as Oregon AgriWomen, AgLaunch and SEDCOR to strengthen regional agriculture through supplier and industry partnerships.

The 2026 Women in Agriculture Award is sponsored by Pro Farmer.

All finalists and award winners will be recognized on stage for their excellence in the business of farming at the 2026 Top Producer Summit, where the nation’s best producers gather to advance leadership, management, technology adoption and succession planning in agriculture. Learn more about Top Producer Summit and Top Producer of the Year awards at tpsummit.com.

Where Hope Takes Root: The Grit That Saved a 90-Year-Old Family Farm

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 22:21:31 GMT

In the rolling hills of Napa Valley’s Los Carneros region, the scene often looks idyllic. Morning fog drapes the vineyards, and the quiet hum of farm life feels timeless. But behind the postcard-perfect setting stands a family that has survived nearly 90 years of grit, risk and reinvention — and a fourth-generation farmer who refused to let 2024 be the end of their story.

“I am the fourth generation carrying on this family legacy,” says grape grower Jennifer Thomson, walking the same ground her great-grandmother once chose with remarkable instinct.

A Legacy Born From the Dust Bowl

Long before Napa Valley became synonymous with world-class wine, the Thomson family put down roots here in 1938. Thomson’s great-grandmother, Jenny Ophelia Barnum Thomson — a descendant of the famed Barnum circus family — had the courage to pursue opportunity when most would have turned back.

“It was the Great Dust Bowl and the Great Depression driving many families west for new opportunity,” Thomson says. “As migration was happening toward the West Coast for better economic opportunities, they moved here and were able to purchase this land.”

What she bought wasn’t just acreage. It was a vibrant Carneros hub complete with orchards, worker housing and a blacksmith shop. Women couldn’t legally own land at the time, but the deed was placed in her name for only a day, a testament to the trailblazer she was. Then, the land deed was moved into her husband’s name. But the vision, Thomson says, was her great-grandmother’s.

“For her to have that foresight to take that risk and purchase land here — you think about that today,” Thomson says. “She was doing what any family does: contributing to the family. There was water in the Carneros Creek, there were prunes, pears and apples already planted, and they had the ingenuity and engineering to successfully farm. Sometimes you just have to lead with your intuition, and I think that’s what she was doing.”

A Daughter Returns Home — and a New Fight Begins

Four generations later, that same intuition runs deep. In 2009, Thomson left her job in San Francisco and came home to take over the ranch from her father, George.

“Did I ever think Jen would be the one to take over?” George says with a small laugh. “No. I am surprised. I am thankful.”

When she arrived, the wine industry was in the middle of the 2008–2009 recession.

“When I took over in 2009, my father says to me, ‘You picked the absolute worst time to get into farming,’” Thomson recalls. “And then 2024 and 2025 happened. Farmers ask one another, ‘Is this as bad as 2008 or 2009? Is it better? Worse? Did we just forget?’ Because I took over so young, I already was prepared more than my peers.”

But today’s pressures, she says, feel heavier.

“There are not as many channels for sales, not as many stable partners to work with. If I’m a betting woman, I do think 2025 and going into 2026 will be more of a struggle than ever before for the California wine industry.”

Read More: Grape Growers Desperately Need You to Drink More Wine as They Grapple With a Glut of Uncontracted Grapes

So, why is it so challenging for grape growers today? It’s complex. Not only has demand dwindled, with a Gallup poll showing alcohol consumption is at a 90-year low, but an abundant supply the past few years has suffocated the grape growing region. As more vineyards take vines out, that will help the supply situation, but it’s coming at a cost. The other issue is the sellers, like Thomson, and buyers, as in wineries, haven’t always come to the table to find a solution. Cheap imports have flooded the market, and it’s at a much cheaper price than what it costs to grow grapes in California.

Thomson’s father agrees with her, saying the California grape and wine industry is facing one of its most challenging chapters yet.

“It is very challenging,” George says. “The market is sort of against us. Tastes are changing. There are more government regulations on what you can do with your property to make a living.”

Still, he keeps believing.

“Do I think we’ll get out of this? I have my fingers crossed. With people like Jennifer, I believe they’ll keep working at it. They won’t give in easily,” George says.

The Year the Grapes Had No Home

But nothing prepared the family for what came in 2024.

“This home ranch produces a little over 300 tons of grapes annually,” Jennifer says. “And in 2024, nearly all of those 300 tons are dropped on the ground and go unharvested.”

All of them?

“All of them,” she says quietly.

Demand had plummeted. Oversupply strangled the region. And for the first time in the ranch’s nine-decade history, not a single cluster had a home.

It was a moment when most growers would consider walking away. But Jennifer didn’t.

Refusal to Quit

But this is where the story gets good, and where you’re reminded you can’t underestimate the determination of a family farmer, especially Thomson. After all, grit is woven into this family’s DNA. And she leaned on every ounce of it.

“In 2025, I make a true farmer with good ingenuity,” she says. “I make sure I shake hands. I talk with previous clients. I source new clients. I put a lot of hustle into exploring new relationships and cultivating the ones we already have. And we are fortunate this year to sell all of our grapes.”

Her father says the same drive is what transformed the ranch the moment she took over 15 years ago.

“We were able to make a living at it, at least pay the taxes,” George says. “But the property really never makes money until Jennifer says, ‘I think I can do that.’ I hand her the keys and the checkbook.”

George says he always had an off-farm job, but for this first time in his memory, Thomson’s keen business sense and intuition turned the family vineyard into one that could finally support itself.

“Jennifer turns it around for the first time in my life that the property actually supports itself,” he says, emotion thick in his voice. “How proud am I? Extremely proud. She has the foresight, the hunger, the passion. The intelligence. She had all the parts. She has them now.”

One of the Last Family Farmers Standing

In a region rapidly shifting toward corporate ownership, Jennifer is part of a shrinking group — farmers who still drive their own tractors, repair their own equipment and deliver their own fruit.

“I feel more of a pull to the land than I ever predicted when I first took over,” she says. “I took over to help my family and retain this ranch for future generations. But working alongside our crew for 15 years, working with winery partners who value our family legacy and this 90-year-old ranch — I certainly feel much more drawn to the land than I ever think I would.”

Some estimates point to less than 25% of the growers left in the region are true family farmers, a dwindling group that is fighting to remain rooted here.

Gratitude Amid the Hardship

Despite the hardships, Thomson carries deep gratitude — especially this Thanksgiving season.

“I’m really grateful my great-grandmother has the foresight in 1938 to buy a wonderful piece of land with wonderful water availability,” she says. “I have a great-grandfather and grandfather who worked with the Federal Soil Conservation Department and built an on-stream reservoir. It allows us to irrigate our crops and keeps our vines healthier.”

She is thankful for her community, too.

“I’m thankful for that core group of family farmers. We band together. We support one another. We share our successes and we share our failures. That camaraderie can’t be duplicated.”

A Story Still Being Written

The Thomsons’ story, once born out of Dust Bowl desperation, endures because each generation chooses resilience over retreat. And in 2024 — after a year when every grape fell to the ground — it was Jennifer’s resolve that carried the legacy forward.

Every grape has a home again in 2025. And because of her, the family’s story isn’t just continuing, it’s growing stronger.

The Produce Mom’s podcast highlights women leaders in honor of International Women's Day

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 16:09:11 GMT

The Produce Moms is kicking off Women’s History Month with an all-star March podcast lineup that includes influential female leaders from a variety of industries that agriculture, manufacturing, produce, retail and finance. These leaders weigh in on their expertise and share best practices and strategies for success with Lori Taylor, founder, CEO and host of “The Produce Moms Podcast.”

“In keeping with TPM’s commitment to spotlight individuals who are doing work that matters the most, during Women’s History Month and on March 8th — which is International Women’s Day — we are featuring an incredible roster of female leaders from a wide variety of industries who are doing just that!” Taylor said in a news release. “I love the fact that our sponsors for this month-long event are longtime supporters of women in the produce industry: Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Envy Apple, Naturipe, and Sage Fruit Company.”

Related news: Tip of the Iceberg podcast — Why this Food Lion produce manager is one of the nation’s best

In celebrating International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, CarrieAnn Arias, vice president of marketing at Naturipe Farms, explains why the company has sponsored The Produce Moms Podcast for two years running.

“Naturipe and The Produce Moms are aligned similarly in our dedication to and belief in the power of recognizing and supporting women within our industry and beyond. We are thrilled to see the influence and celebration of Women’s History Month and IWD expanding and becoming an even greater focus with businesses and consumers alike,” Arias said in the release. “IWD provides an excellent opportunity for Naturipe to demonstrate our commitment to the advancement of women.”

The Produce Moms’ March guests include:

March 1 — SunFed Ranch, featuring CMO Ashley Finster, who shares the story of SunFed Ranch, her passion for regenerative agriculture and her success in marketing commodities into brands.
March 8 — International Women’s Day, celebrating the women of Walmart today and every day, with Senior Sourcing Managers Carrie Mack and Carmel Stout-Kornegay. These two guests celebrate IWD with heartfelt reflection on their professional journeys, as well as the role of growers and consumers in their day-to-day lives.
March 15 — Laurette Rondenet, president and CEO at Edlong and host of “Owning Your Legacy” podcast; Edlong is an independently held and woman-owned flavor company that has experienced global growth in the highly competitive flavors category under Laurette’s leadership, according to the release.
March 22 — Impact FFA: Women Growing Women, featuring Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation and CMO of the National FFA Organization, along with National FFA officers MacKenna Clifton and Gracie Murph. The podcast will discuss history of women in the FFA, the current state of women in U.S. agriculture leadership and the role of FFA in creating leaders for the next generation, in agriculture and beyond.
March 29 — Jade Warshaw, Ramsey personality and celebrity financial expert, shares her journey of paying off nearly $500,000 in debt, her plant-based lifestyle and her role at Ramsey Solutions as a celebrity financial expert for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Produce Moms Podcast began in 2018, with its five-year anniversary approaching, and the analytics show that the audience base continues to grow, according to the release. Currently, the podcast has 45,000-plus International Advertising Bureau listeners. The show has received various recognitions including four prestigious Davey Awards. In 2022, The Produce Moms transitioned the podcast to both audio and visual, enriching the connection between audience and guests.

Why a New App Designed by Iowa State Could Be a Game Changer to Identify and Diagnose Unwanted Pests

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 02:09:49 GMT

In fields across Iowa, unwanted pests are on the prowl year after year, but a new app could help farmers not only detect which pests are in their field, but also give insights on how to treat the field if it’s a yield-robbing pest.

“It is the first of its kind in the sense we are trying to cater the needs of farmer by putting these management practices or strategies linked with insect detection,” says Arti Singh, assistant professor in Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University.

The main goal is to make pest management simpler, which is why the app is a one-stop shop that first identifies the pest, but also gives management advice by recommending on next steps.

“They go into a field, they take a picture, and in real time, it tells them which insect it is, whether it’s a beneficial insect or if it’s a harmful insect,” she adds. “It also gives them the scientific name and common name of the insect.”

The app is already able to identify 2,000 different insects today, but by early next year, it will have the capability detecting and diagnosing more than 4,000 pests. The growth of the app’s capability is being driven by the power of artificial intelligence.

“We use a concept called deep learning, which is the subset of artificial intelligence, where we collect these images, and we pass it through a network, if you will, and the network is essentially extracting all different kinds of features of this of the images and then making a decision on which insect class it belongs to,” says Baskar Ganapathysubramanian, professor associate chair for Research Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University.

In order to double the amount of insects it can detect by early next year, millions of images will need to be collected, a process that’s already underway.

“I think the large amount of data that we have been collecting, both from sensors, from images, from drones and from citizen scientists, has provided a wonderful opportunity for us to train new kinds of artificial intelligence models on this data so that we can facilitate decision support and enable farmers to do what they do better, faster and easier way,” says Ganapathysubramanian.

While creating a pest identification has a goal of simplicity for the end user, the data on the front end can be noisy.

“Different people use different kinds of cameras, different people use different kinds of phones, at different locations in different resolutions,” says Ganapathysubramanian. “So, how do you account for all those things while you design insect detection app is something that we have to deal with.”

Another challenge is the sheer amount of data that the app will need to process. Ganapathysubramanian says some pests will have more than 100,000 images, while other insects may only have 20 photos, and many of those pests have similar characteristics.

“There are also some beetles that looks very, very similar, but they actually belong to different class, so how do you distinguish between two similar looking images, but they actually belong to wildly different classes where one class could be a beneficial pest insect and the other class could be actually a pest, or perhaps an invasive species.”

While artificial intelligence is key, the human element is still a vital piece of the puzzle. However, the sheer amount of data creates a challenge with sorting through all the data.

“You have lot of images, it takes an entomologist, actually to decide what it each individual image, which class it belongs to, but if we have 20 million images like these, it’s difficult for an entomologist to go and look at and rank and read each individual image,” explains Ganapathysubramanian.

The app will help farmers solve pest problems not only today, but also tomorrow, as deep learning continues to evolve with the pests and diseases farmers face.

“We don’t know about these new crops which insect pests or diseases can be a problem, says Singh. “If we have this library of insect pests, and we can use the smartphone app to identify in a timely way and mitigate, I think this will be a game changer for farmers.”

While the app is off to a strong start, the researchers say their work is far from over, as the technology could soon harvest solutions across the U.S. And the researchers say it’s because artificial intelligence, data science and the large amount of data that they’re collecting, are coming together to provide real-time insight and solutions for farmers.

Fourth-generation family member to serve as Lipman Family Farms CEO

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:51:31 GMT

Lipman Family Farms has named Elyse Lipman as CEO.

Lipman, a fourth-generation Lipman family member, will succeed Kent Shoemaker, who led the Immokalee, Fla.-based company for 13 years, according to a news release.

“Elyse provides a deep understanding of the business and industry and has helped shape our culture and core values. She continues to push our business to greater heights, and the board knows that she will be an inspiring and effective leader as we look forward to this next chapter,” Shoemaker said in the release. “She is one of the smartest strategic leaders I have known, and [I] know that she will do an outstanding job leading Lipman Family Farms into the next season of success.”

Lipman has been with the company for more than three years, holding roles as chief strategy officer and director of strategy, and is credited with developing and enriching Lipman Family Farms’ strategy focusing on core values and objectives, while pursuing continuous growth, the release said.

Along with being the first woman on the Lipman Executive Leadership Team, Lipman brings “a fresh perspective and diversity to the table,” according to the release.

“I am humbled and honored to be appointed chief executive officer of Lipman Family Farms,” Lipman said in the release. “As a company spanning 70 years of my family’s heritage, I’ve witnessed how the business has changed, evolved and grown in so many incredible ways. I stand on the shoulder of giants, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to build our business for generations to come. As we look ahead, one thing that will always remain is our commitment to being a people-focused company and remaining Good From The Ground Up.”

Lipman’s previous experience includes senior managing roles at the World Economic Forum. She holds a Master of Business Administration in innovation management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, politics and economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

2022 Women in Produce — Lauren Sweeney

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 21:39:24 GMT

Jumping into the produce industry and the science of food at the same time would be daunting for anyone. Lauren Sweeney, vice president of marketing operations and commercial strategy at Apeel Sciences, was eager to work at a purpose-driven organization, though. So, she said, the learning opportunity was well worth it.

“Being part of an organization that is helping to reduce food waste and reimagine how we eat has been very fulfilling,” Sweeney said. “It’s opened my eyes to the nuances in the food system. As a consumer, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the work that goes into every piece of fresh produce that goes into my shopping cart.”

Read other Women in Produce profiles here.

It has been a steep learning curve and she feels lucky to have been influenced by energetic, strategic and creative marketing and communications teams throughout her career. Before joining Apeel, she worked in the media and tourism industries in marketing and communications roles.

“My introduction to produce was with Apeel, working with our team, as well as our customers on the supply and retail side,” Sweeney said. “My growth has been inspired by my leaders and colleagues, who challenge me every day to think differently.”

She joined the industry in 2019, just at the beginning of a time of unprecedented challenges to meet consumer needs: the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, she said she’s seen incredible resilience in the produce industry, as well as an accelerated realization that things need to change.

“Consumers today are demanding more sustainable solutions, and I’m excited to play a role in meeting their needs,” Sweeney said.

In her role, she needed to learn the challenges and motivations of Apeel’s customers. That would allow her to make sure the company is meeting their needs. Its customers are looking to add shelf life and reduce waste.

“Apeel is a brand that believes time is precious,” Jason De Turris, senior vice president of marketing sciences at Apeel, said. “We work to create and manage more time for fresh produce. And Lauren is someone who wastes no time in the week.”

That has certainly played a role in her ability to simultaneously learn the business of produce and the science of extending shelf life.

“Because we look at every piece of fruit like a database, learning about the science and fresh produce really go hand in hand,” Sweeney said. “It’s been fascinating to learn about the biological and physiological factors that make a piece of produce different from another. Then, there is the added complexity when you layer on things like seasonality, country of origin, etc.”

Similar to the complexity in learning produce, science and technology presents numerous complex challenges.

“Our teams are developing new, advanced imaging technology to learn more about each piece of fruit than we’ve ever been able to easily understand before,” Sweeney said. “In addition, we are seeking to really understand the attributes that influence consumer behavior. For example, we validated that a deeper green lime is the top factor when consumers are picking limes at the store.”

The drive and ability to learn has served Sweeney well. Colleagues say it has served the company well also.
“She’s been instrumental in helping build more efficiency and process into how we support our partners inside and outside of the company,” De Turris said. “She blends speed with care better than almost anyone. We are lucky to have her. Beyond that, she brings levity and genuine concern for her team together naturally.”

Read other Women in Produce profiles here.

UnitedAg appoints new board members, first female board chair

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 02:01:06 GMT

Irvine, Cali.-based UnitedAg has recently announced the appointment of five new directors in both California and Arizona, as well as the appointment of its first female board chair, Veronica Urzua-Alvero, who is vice president of human resources operations for Church Brothers and True Leaf Farms , according to a news release.

The board of directors appointed are:

Richard Plato, Christopher Ranch
Debbie Adam, Innovative Produce
Mike Heisinger, Ippolito International LP
Sarah Gargan, Kaweah Pump
Kevin Vogt, Associated Feed & Supply

Those new board members will serve on the board of directors for the 2022-2024 calendar years. “Bringing diverse and extensive experience, the new board members share UnitedAg’s mission and vision to provide innovative benefits and solutions for the agricultural community,” according to the UnitedAg news release.

“We are excited to have Veronica as our first female board chair. Since her inception as director in 2015, she has been a driver for change,” Kirti Mutatkar, president of UnitedAg, said in the news release.

Urzua-Alvero said she was looking forward to her new appointment.

“As a native of Salinas Valley, I pride myself on fostering the next generation of ag leaders and positively impacting the industry. As our community faces ongoing hurdles, my goal as board chair is to deliver benefits and solutions that will help us build a more equitable, resilient and inclusive community,” she said in the release.

2022 Women in Produce — Caitlin Tierney

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 21:38:57 GMT

Caitlin Tierney’s first introduction to the produce industry was in 2006, when she happened upon a category assistant position at SpartanNash.

Now, the senior director of produce local and innovation for Sprouts Farmers Market has parlayed that first assistant job into a true passion for the industry as a whole and for Sprouts, in particular.

Read other Women in Produce profiles here.

“[I’m] very passionate about our mission at Sprouts. I get to work besides incredible people that wake up every morning trying their hardest to make natural foods accessible for everyone,” Tierney said.

Orchestrating the supply of fresh produce at Sprouts is a main part of Tierney’s job, but, as she says, “there is a bigger picture to my career at Sprouts than just buying the best produce.” Her passion for produce and all things local shows in her words. At Sprouts, Tierney said she truly thrives on building relationships with local farmers and through supporting local communities. She also helps to educate consumers on “how easy it is to live a healthier life that not only helps themselves but our environment.”

She’s done a lot of relationship-building over the years, she says, stressing that asking for help when needed is essential.

“Where I can be there for the grower when they are in need and vice versa, [that’s] a huge aspect of a successful partnership,” she said. “In this crazy, ever-changing world we are living in, we can all use some help from time to time.”

Despite Tierney’s passion for her work at Sprouts, she admits that the position is not without its challenges. Time, she says, is the biggest challenge of all. The multilayered approach that is bringing an idea to fruition is time-consuming and involves many stakeholders, such as the seed company, the breeder, the grower, marketing, retail and so much more.

Describing her own leadership style, Tierney thinks of herself as a “people person.”

“I lead by example, but with [a] listening ear to understand what makes work enjoyable for my team, what are key drivers for each person and focus strongly on being a goal-oriented leader,” she said.

One aspect Tierney says she enjoys the most is just the people with whom she works, as well as the daily social interaction that comes along with that. A major lesson Tierney learned from the COVID-19 pandemic was the necessity for interaction with others in day-to-day life.

“I have always thought of myself as independent, but when we were cooped up in the house for weeks on end, I struggled more than I thought I would have,” she said.

If you were to ask Tierney for advice on making your own mark on the produce industry as she has, the karaoke and oil painting enthusiast said the best advice she could give would be to always just “be yourself.”

“You don’t have to prove anything to anyone except yourself,” she said.

Read other Women in Produce profiles here.

The Power of Love and Faith: How a Journey to Help Foster Kids Heal On the Farm Led One to Their Forever Home

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 21:30:45 GMT

Tyler and Amanda Radke’s story started in college.

“We met on the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Meat Judging team , judging ribeyes, so it only makes sense we kind of took ownership of that side of the beef industry, too,” says Amanda Radke, a mom and a fifth generation rancher from Mitchell, South Dakota.

Bonding over beef and cattle from the start, it’s only fitting that the cattle business is still their calling today.

“We sell bulls private treaty to area ranchers,” says Tyler Radke, of Nolz Limousin and Radke Cattle Company . “We sell about 35 to 40 limousine bulls, and we have a fall female sale, as well, with select show heifers and a couple of steers. We sell those private treaty, as well, to people that come and look and local families as well.

The Radkes also own and operate Radke Cattle Company. Life on the ranch is busy, but Amanda stays busy even off the ranch. Not only do they run a direct-to-consumer beef business, but Amanda is a motivational speaker , children’s book author and a boutique owner.

Listen as Radke shares her story with AgriTalk’s Chip Flory:

Struggles with Infertility

Growing businesses seems to come naturally for the Radkes, but where they struggled was trying to start a family.

“When we first got married, we actually went through a really hard time of infertility and not being able to start a family,” says Amanda. “I really struggled with just feeling like a failure.”

Struggling through the emotions of trying to have a child, the Radkes are now blessed with three.

“Scarlett was born June 3, 2014, Thorne was born June 4, 2016 and Croix was born May 22, 2018,” she says. “So, we had three kids born two years apart, exactly, and life was pretty busy.”

Tyler’s Calling

Tyler and Amanda’s hearts were opened to the idea of adoption as they initially waded through the uncertainty of whether they would be able to have children of their own. One day, after their third child was born, Tyler felt a calling.

“Apparently, I didn’t think we had enough going on,” says Tyler. “I honestly don’t know what I saw that made me think of it.”

“He just said, ‘We need to do foster care.’ And my reaction was very negative, because we were maxed out,” Amanda recalls.

Amanda was on the road constantly giving speeches and doing other travel for her job, all while juggling life with three kids and the family’s growing businesses.

“And so I instantly said, ‘No, you’re crazy. I’m drowning right now,’” remembers Amanda.

A Change of Heart

That day, Amanda headed to the airport for a work trip, and on the plane, her heart was changed.

“But again, God had a different plan, because I got on a plane, and the movie on the plane that day was ‘ Instant Family ’, which is a movie about foster care. And so I’m sitting on the plane bawling like a baby.”

She left on the work trip thinking Tyler’s idea was crazy, but that moment instantly changed her mind.

“He’s the steady, even keeled member of our relationship. I mean, he keeps the family going, and I have crazy, wild ideas that go take us off on other journeys and adventures,” Amanda says with a smile. “So for him to have that thought, I truly don’t think it even would have happened had it not been for god giving him that nudge to say, ‘Get this ball rolling.’”

So, that’s exactly what Tyler and Amanda did.

“We call the office and we just want information on how do we get involved and they said, ‘You’re in luck, the Mitchell training started last week, you guys can jump in,’” says Amanda.

The Start of their Journey to Foster

That happened in April, and by August, Amanda was sitting in a coffee shop with a friend when an unexpected call came.

“It was the state, and they had two kids and they needed them emergency placement for that weekend, “ she says. “And I said, ‘I don’t even have our license.’ And they said, ‘Yes, we just threw it in the mail.’”

(Farm Journal)

When Tyler and Amanda told their friends and families their wild idea and decision to foster, they admit not everyone was as receptive to the idea, especially her parents.

“They were scared,” says Amanda. “They were worried about our own kids and the effect that have on them. And just they knew we were a young couple, working full-time jobs, trying to build this farm, we’re trying to be in the seed stock business. We were very maxed out as far as time goes. So, I think in their minds, they’re like, ‘You don’t have time to do this.’”

She says the conversations that followed weren’t easy, as their strong system of support questioned the decision they had just made.

“At one point, I told my dad, ‘Take it up with Jesus, because this isn’t even us. We don’t even know what we’re doing either. So, we can’t even really fully explain it.’ But all it took was that meeting those first two kids, and they got it,” says Amanda.

She says in the last two years with the pandemic, they’ve welcomed a dozen children into their home to foster.

“I just truly believe that there can be a lot of healing done on the farm,” says Amanda.

From healing to growth, she’s even witnessed growth with their three children.

“They became like little agvocates, because they’re teaching these kids about the farm,” says Amanda. “And we just kind of step back and let them do their thing. So, they’re giving them the tour, and they’re teaching them how to pick grass and feed calves through the fence.”

Another Call–This Time, About a 7-Month-Old Baby

Fostering has been far from easy for the family, but as the Radkes can attest, life often reveals other plans. That was the case in 2020. As the world shut down and so did Amanda’s work travel, she was questioning what was next.

“And a week later, we got a call for a seven-month-old baby. And I was like, ‘Oh, now I see why my schedule is cleared, because we have a whole different adventure to go on,” she remembers.

That baby became part of the family during that time.

(Farm Journal)

“We had that baby all of 2020 and got to do all of her milestones with her and love on her,” says Amanda. “And on her first birthday, we found out she was leaving. My heart broke into a million pieces because that was my baby.”

The Radkes knew they’d only have her temporarily, but they were attached and the entire family was crushed.

(Farm Journal)

The Final Call for a Forever Home

Tyler and Amanda had to hold it together for their three children. So, that’s what they did, and life continued to go on, just as it did before. But a few weeks later, another call came.

“And that’s where Alex came in,” says Tyler. “He had been in some foster homes before, coming and going, and now he was available for adoption. Wherever he went was basically going to be his next home.”

They sent Amanda a picture of Alex. He had blond hair and blue eyes, just like their other three kids.

“And I about fell over because I said, ‘He looks like our son.’ And she said, ‘Yeah, I know. That’s why I called you.’ And I said, ‘Okay, I need to talk to Tyler.’”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda Radke | Author, Speaker, Rancher (@amandaradke)

At that time, it was a very harsh calving season. Tyler was also busy with cattle shows and sales, so their businesses were extremely busy. The decision to adopt wasn’t taken lightly.

“We’d learned from the dozen kids that the dynamics changed significantly, if it’s a-seven-month-old, or we’ve had an 11-year-old, and it changes the family dynamic,” says Amanda.

The risks. The what ifs. The unknowns. The entire family had already experienced it with a dozen children, but temporarily. Yet, they agreed to meet Alex, and ultimately, become his forever home.

“Four days later, he had packed up his bags and moved to our house for good,” says Amanda.

Alex’s Adoption Day

Adoption day came October 5, 2021. The wild adventure and continuous chaos at the farm is where Alex seems to fit right in.

“Within that first year, he knew all the equipment in the field, he could rattle it off and had tons of farm knowledge. It was just crazy how he soaked it up like a sponge,” she says.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda Radke | Author, Speaker, Rancher (@amandaradke)

Alex is a four-year old who has braved more in his little life than many will have to do in their entire lifetime.

“We always called him our superhero cowboy because when he came, he loved superheroes, but one night, very early on, I tucked him into bed, and he said, ‘Mama, can I be a cowboy?” And I said, ‘Cowboy? You already are buddy,’ and not because he lives on a farm now and we have cows, but because of how brave he is to change homes and to trust us,” says Amanda.

The trust has grown not only with Tyler and Amanda, but also their other three children. Scarlett, their oldest, stepped into the role of mama bear to not just Alex, but to all the kids the family has fostered the past few years.

“I taught them to be safe on the farm, not to go under the tractor. Don’t go into the pen, especially if there’s a crabby mama,” says Scarlett.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda Radke | Author, Speaker, Rancher (@amandaradke)

And as they only girl, Scarlett can hold her own, especially when the boys become rowdy.

“I tell them I’m going to wrangle them up with my pink rope,” she says with a big smile.

Creating a Farm Sanctuary to Help Kids Heal

From fostering to now adoption, the Radke’s heart of service and selflessness have helped create a farm sanctuary that has helped children heal.

“Their lives have been pretty tumultuous, really,” says Tyler.

“I think giving them that space has helped,” adds Amanda.

“Well, depending on what you’re doing for that day, but for the most part, space,” adds Tyler as he smiles.

Tyler says he may never know what sparked his crazy idea to foster that day a few years back, but he just knew how lucky his kids were to grow up on a farm.

“I just wanted to share that with other kids that maybe had tougher luck than ours did, because they deserve the same,” Tyler says.

Fostering Because the Kids Are Worth Fighting For

Amanda says they’ve seen firsthand how the need for more foster parents across the U.S. is tremendous.

“There are more than 400,000 kids in the U.S. foster system today that are waiting for a forever mom and dad. And then there’s even more of them that are going to be temporarily in foster care before they can be reunified [with their family],” she says. “And so if there’s even a calling remotely on your heart to step into this really hard space, don’t ignore it, because the kids are worth fighting for.”

The Radkes have three goals: provide peace with a place to heal, experience a family full of love and introduce them to a household strong in faith. A recipe that’s filled with grit and grace.

“We always tell people, there’s always room for one more at the dinner table,” she says. “It’s been hard, but at the same time, we’ve been able to just roll with the punches and take on a little bit extra. When you think you’re maxed out, there’s always a little extra space to help someone.”

Amanda says even if you don’t want to start the process to become a foster parent , there are other ways you can support foster families who are in need of supplies and other donations as they continue their foster journey.

Grit with Grace

You can watch more touching and inspiring stories from across rural America in Grit with Grace.

Nominate the Nation's Best Female Farmers

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:48:48 GMT

The 2023 Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award will be given to a female producer who is a shining example for her peers. The winner will be an advocate for agriculture and represent an innovative farming or ranching operation.

Entrants are judged on agricultural advocacy (50%), farm business innovation (30%) and industry or community leadership (20%).

Learn more about the EWA Trailblazer Award Application .

To apply, complete the entry form below and attach your resume and two letters of reference from an industry peer, banker or agribusiness leader. Winners agree to be recognized in articles published in Top Producer magazine and online. Any financial information remains confidential unless entrants agree to its release.

The deadline to enter is Sept. 30, 2022.

PRIZES INCLUDE:

A trip for two to attend the Top Producer Summit in Nashville, Tenn. (Jan. 23-25)
Other prizes provided by award sponsors

Fill out the EWA Trailblazer Award Application.

Read about the 2021 winner, Jennie Schmidt of Sudlersville, Md.

Read about the 2020 winners, Shelly Boshart Davis and Macey Wessels of Tangent, Ore.

Read about the 2019 winner, April Hemmes of Hampton, Iowa

Questions? Contact Sara Schafer at 660-537-0587 or sschafer@farmjournal.com.