Growing up in a
small town, there have always been certain women that I have looked up to,
especially once I became passionate about pursuing a career in agriculture.
Angie Greiman, a District Sales Manager for Monsanto, working directly with
Dekalb and Asgrow has been a one of many faces that contributed to my choice in
pursuing a career in the seed industry.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Angie for a class assignment at Iowa
State. Angie talks about the greatest challenge that women are often faced with
in the agricultural field. In her interview she says, “We have to work twice as hard in our jobs then our male counterparts
to prove ourselves.”
I had the opportunity to work at a cooperative as a crop scout during my summer after graduating high school. Never have I ever had to prove myself as much as I had to during that summer.
As both a recent high school graduate, and a woman, most farmers didn’t want to take my presence and crop reports seriously. Angie also says, “We have to continue to prove our abilities & to gain credibility. In some cases this can take a little longer, but agriculture is changing there are more women getting involved in their family farm or seeking employment in agriculture.”
During that
summer, I took farmers out to their fields, showed them my findings, and with
hard work and communication earned the respect from them that I had longed for.
When I asked Angie
what she believed the most important strength for a women interested in
pursuing career was she responded, “The
most important strength a woman needs to have in agriculture today is to be
driven to succeed. Your destiny &
how you get there is up to you. You have
to believe in yourself & be confident.”
The world of
agriculture is becoming more diverse every day with new technologies and high
demand for people in the industry. I am looking forward to once again work in
the agricultural field this summer, and follow in Angie’s footsteps as a Dekalb
and Asgrow Row Crop Seed Sales Intern in Grand Island Nebraska. Being 6 hours away from home will be a new experience for me!
 |
| Going to school only an hour away from home, and this summer living six hours away will be a new experience for myself! |
I know there
are many challenges ahead of me, but with the guidance from people like Angie,
I know I have the power to do great things as a woman in agriculture!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight! -Proverbs 3:5-6
Great post! I would agree with Angie and would warn you that especially in a cooperative role, many farmers will see you initially as just a pretty face. You have to prove that you are more than that and are knowledgeable. Good luck with your internship!
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