October 2026
2020s
Dr. McKenna (Brinning) Henningsen (’20 animal science, ’24 DVM veterinary medicine) has joined the team at Suidae Health and Production in southeast Iowa.
Dr. Quinton Waits (’22 animal science, ’26 DVM veterinary medicine) has joined the veterinary staff at Fayette Veterinary Hospital in Washington Court House, Ohio.
Collin Knipper (’23 agricultural business) was featured in an Alumni Spotlight by the Start Something College of Agriculture and Life Sciences program.
Jacob Fjeld ('24 agricultural and life sciences education), Hardin County youth coordinator, received the Outstanding Team Award for the collaborative homeschool programming partnership that he developed with Laelka Ragsdale, Franklin County youth coordinator.
Jacob Leuchtenmacher ('20 animal science), veterinary technician at Iowa State University's Large Animal Hospital, was featured in a Decorah News article about his experience as a vet tech.
Tessa Tauke ('26 animal science) received an American Star in Agriscience Award during the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo.
2010s
Shelby Oldenkamp (’16 animal science) is the new southwest Minnesota precision ag and conservation specialist for Pheasants Forever.
Gina (Cerrentano) White (’19 agricultural and life sciences education) was elected to the Iowa Corn Promotion Board representing District 1.
2000s
Megan Humphrey (’02 animal science, ’05 animal physiology) joined Iowa State University’s Department of Animal Science as an associate teaching professor, focusing on equine science.
Blake Reynolds (’09 agricultural studies) was elected to the Iowa Corn Promotion Board representing District 8.
1990s
Rachel Martin ('97 agricultural studies) has joined RuralSTAMINA as chief communications officer.
1980s
Scott Hutchins (’87 entomology), USDA under secretary for research, education and economics, will deliver commencement addresses at all three of Auburn University’s commencement ceremonies for fall 2026.
Paul Tauke (’88 forestry) is the new public services director for the city of West Des Moines.
September 2026
2020s
McKayla Gartner (’23 forestry) joined Pottawattamie County Conservation as a natural areas technician.
Courtney Harle (’24 agronomy, international agriculture) joined North Iowa Area Community College as an agronomy instructor.
2010s
Lexi Marek Beeler (’17 public service and administration in agriculture) was featured in a The Business Download article.
2000s
Ellen Walsh-Rosmann (’09 public service and administration in agriculture, international agriculture) is among 40 women named to the Iowa Restaurant Association’s 2026 Women to Watch in Hospitality list.
1980s
Juston Lamb (’86 agricultural and life sciences education) is the new agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Oskaloosa High School.
Warren Clark ('80 agricultural business) has joined ReachAg PR as a co-founder.
August 2026
2020s
Sadie Heath ('26 agricultural communication, international agriculture) is the new programs and events manager for the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
2010s
Blake Edler (’18 animal science) was elected as public relations co-chair on the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer Advisory Committee.
Jacob Hunter (’11 agricultural and life sciences education) has been appointed as director of donor relations for the World Food Prize Foundation.
Sam Showalter (’14 agricultural studies) was re-elected to a three-year term on the Iowa Soybean Association board of directors.
Joe Roberts ('19 agronomy, seed science, agricultural business) and wife, Paige, received an Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award.
2000s
Brian Noonan (’13 environmental science, ’16 MS) was featured in a USDA Farmers.gov blog, highlighting the conservation efforts he has implemented on his family’s farm in Jackson County, Iowa.
Andrew Smelser (’03 agronomy, seed science, ’14 MS plant breeding) has been hired as the new executive director of the Iowa Crop Improvement Association.
Scott A.J. McLaughlin (’06 agricultural studies) will become the next CEO of East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative.
Ryan Wiemold (’08 forestry) is the new director of conservation for Story County Conservation in Iowa.
Scott Beenken ('05 agricultural studies) and wife, Paige, received an Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award.
1990s
Carrie (Fritz) Stephens (’99 MAG professional agriculture, ’02 PhD agricultural and life sciences education), professor and assistant head of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, received a 2026 Moss Achievement Award.
Jeff Hedges (’91 agricultural business) was elected to serve on the Iowa Soybean Association board of directors.
Sharon Chism (’91 agricultural business) was re-elected to a three-year term on the Iowa Soybean Association board of directors.
Mike Ver Steeg ('94 agricultural studies) and wife, Sarah, received an Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award.
1980s
Theresa Heitman (’83 agricultural business, international agriculture) was named the 2026 Iowa Master Farm Homemaker.
1970s
Merlyn Hall (’70 agricultural and life sciences education) was announced as Hardin County’s 2026 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductee.
Glen Smith (’79 agricultural business) will serve as the USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development.
Paul Kassel (’78 agronomy, horticulture, ’81 MS crop production and physiology) was re-elected to a three-year term on the Iowa Soybean Association board of directors.
July 2026
2010s
Monique Pairis-Garcia (’11 DVM veterinary medicine, ’14 PhD animal physiology), professor of global production animal welfare at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is the 2026 winner of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Animal Welfare Award.
2000s
Courtney Knupp ('07 agricultural business) will join the United Soybean Board as its chief executive officer starting Oct. 1.
1990s
Sean Dolan ('96 animal science) and his wife Sara, were presented the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
Jeff Rowe ('95 agricultural business) has been appointed to ADM's newly created role of executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective Aug. 17.
1960s
The late James "Jim" O'Hara ('64 farm operation) posthumously received the Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association's Friend of Agriculture Award.
June 2026
2020s
Addison Randall (’24 animal science, agricultural and life sciences education) recently accepted a position with Ever.Ag as their marketing events specialist.
Taylor Gambell (’26 agricultural studies) was hired as the next youth coordinator for the Keokuk County Extension Office in Sigourney, Iowa.
Olivia Lulich (’24 agricultural and life sciences education), agriculture teacher at Viroqua High School in Wisconsin, was named Miss Wisconsin USA.
2010s
Mike Burdick (’12 public service and administration in agriculture), vice president of sales and marketing at Sabanto, was featured in a JPMorganChase article.
Michael McEnany (’11 agricultural studies) has joined the Iowa State Horticulture Research Station as its agricultural specialist.
Ashlee Sorensen (’12 public service and administration in agriculture, journalism and mass communication), manager of training operations at John Deere, is one of 30 alums featured in Agriculture Future of America’s Celebrating 30 Voices campaign, a special initiative honoring AFA’s 30th anniversary and the alums making an impact across the agriculture industry.
Andrew Benning ('17 agricultural studies), real estate sales associate for Mid-Iowa Real Estate Auctions and Appraisals and farmer, was named one of the 2026 recipients of the Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Leadership Award.
Cale Gent ('18 agronomy), field agronomist for Pioneer and farmer, was named one of the 2026 recipients of the Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Leadership Award.
2000s
Ben Bader (’08 agricultural systems technology) was named the 2025 Pork All-American by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and was featured in an Iowa Farmer Today article.
May 2026
2020s
Megan Kueker (’23 agricultural and life sciences education) has been named a field specialist for the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers.
Evelyn Heidt (’22 agronomy, ’24 MS plant pathology, entomology) was announced as a member of the World Food Prize Foundation’s inaugural Alumni Ambassador program.
Nolan Monaghan (’22 horticulture, global resource systems) was announced as a member of the World Food Prize Foundation’s inaugural Alumni Ambassador program.
Morgan Smith (’21 microbiology, software engineering) was announced as a member of the World Food Prize Foundation’s inaugural Alumni Ambassador program.
2010s
Bret Spurgin (’11 agricultural and life sciences education), agriculture teacher at Charles City High School, received an Honorary Iowa FFA Degree at the 98th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference.
Brandi Sigmon (’10 PhD genetics) joined the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an associate professor.
2000s
Mike Retallick (’05 PhD agricultural and life sciences education), professor of agricultural education and studies and associate dean for personnel and finance at Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, received an Honorary Iowa FFA Degree at the 98th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference.
Antoine Alston (’00 PhD agricultural education and studies), associate dean for academic studies at North Carolina A&T State University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, was featured in the spring 2026 issue of NC Pork Report article about his efforts to connect students to the state’s pork industry.
Jamie Lewis (’14 animal science), owner of Bourbon County Bison, was featured on the Kentucky Education Television PBS show “The Farmer and The Foodie,” during which he shares how his Iowa State education prepared him to start his bison business.
Stephanie Hansen ('02 animal science), professor of animal science at Iowa State University, is a new holder of the Tyrone D. Artz, M.D., Chair for Faculty Excellence in Animal Science.
Nick Pudenz ('01 animal science), director of commercial accounts at Diamond Animal Health, was featured in an Alumni Spotlight by Iowa State University's Department of Animal Science.
1990s
Dan Witten (’98 agricultural and life sciences education, agricultural studies, ’10 MAG professional agriculture), associate professor of applied agricultural and food studies at Morningside University, received an Honorary Iowa FFA Degree at the 98th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference.
Elisabeth Huff-Lonergan ('91 MS animal science, '95 PhD animal science, biology), University Professor of animal science at Iowa State University, was named the next Morrison Chair in Meat Science.
1980s
Dave Holm (’81 agricultural and life sciences education, animal science), retired executive director of development for the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, received an Honorary Iowa FFA Degree at the 98th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference.
Ted Schroeder ('86 PhD economics), university distinguished professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University, received the Amethyst Award, Kansas State's most prestigious award.
April 2026
2020s
Hope Brecht (’22 agricultural and life sciences education) has been named the new consumer outreach director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
Sean Prell (’24 genetics, microbiology, chemistry), research assistant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, was featured in an article by Iowa State University’s Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology.
Abby Greiman ('23 animal science, agricultural and life sciences education) was featured in an Iowa State University Department of Animal Science alumni spotlight.
Kollyn Lentz ('24 agricultural studies) was featured in a Fresh Pickings magazine article about his adventures as a young, sixth-generation farmer.
2010s
Rebecca Furbeck (’18 food science) joined Kemin Food Technologies – North America as a technical services manager for proteins.
Karri Haen Whitmer (’10 genetics) was featured in an Iowa State University News Service article about the software program she created, Ama AI.
1990s
Claudia Lemper-Manahl (‘91 microbiology), associate teaching professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University, was named Student Employee Supervisor of the Year.
1980s
Dean Frazer ('87 agricultural studies) was featured in a Fresh Pickings magazine article about spring on Iowa farms.
March 2026
2020s
Jacob Manternach (’20 food science, ’23 MS meat science/food science and technology), industry extension specialist in animal science, received the Early Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award from Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Chase Olsen (’22 animal ecology), academic adviser in natural resource ecology and management, received the Early Achievement in Advising Award from Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Ahlea Forster (’25 MS animal science), research scientist in animal science, received the Early Achievement in Research Award from Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Allison Reuvers (’24 agricultural and life sciences education), agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Colfax-Mingo High School, was named one of the 2026 Golden Owl awardees.
Jacob Friedrich (’23 horticulture, global resource systems), plant sciences graduate student at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, was featured in a university article highlighting his efforts to investigate controlled environment solutions to improve global food security.
2010s
Karl Kerns (’14 animal science), assistant professor of animal science, received the Early Achievement in Research Award from Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Malayne Meyer (’16 agricultural and life sciences education), agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Osage High School, was named one of the 2026 Golden Owl awardees.
Zach Morris (’11 agricultural and life sciences education, ’15 MS), agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at West Liberty High School, was named one of the 2026 Golden Owl awardees.
Ben Booth (’10 agricultural and life sciences education, ’18 MS), agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at IKM-Manning High School, was named one of the 2026 Golden Owl awardees.
Peiyang Li (’19 environmental science, biological systems engineering, ’21 MS agricultural and biosystem engineering, ’23 PhD) is the new Texas A&M AgriLife Research livestock air quality and agricultural engineer at the Texas A&M AgriLife High Plains Research and Extension Center and assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.
Eric Miller (’18 MS agricultural and life sciences education), agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Atlantic High School, was featured in an Atlantic News Telegraph article about his teaching efforts.
Edward Kemboi (’15 agronomy) was announced as one of the former Iowa State student athletes who will be inducted into the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2026.
Morgan Hibbs (’17 agricultural and life sciences education) and her husband, Tyler, were featured in a The News (Kalona) article about their family farm near Tiffin, Iowa.
2000s
Amber Anderson (’06 agronomy, plant health and protection, ’08 MS sustainable agriculture, ’23 PhD soil science), associate teaching professor of agronomy, received the Early Achievement in Teaching Award from Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Lesa Vold (’00 animal science), program manager and communications specialist with the Egg Industry Center, received the Outstanding Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award from Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Danielle Clark (’09 agronomy, ’12 MS crop production and physiology), research scientist in agronomy, received the Outstanding Achievement Award from Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Ryan Foor (’02 agricultural and life sciences education) has been appointed as deputy commissioner of education by the Nebraska State Board of Education.
Krystal Wright (’06 agricultural and life sciences education), middle school and high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Benton Community School District, was named one of the 2026 Golden Owl awardees.
Brad Leuwerke (’02 animal science, ’06 MS veterinary microbiology, ’06 DVM veterinary medicine) was named the 2026 Swine Practitioner of the Year by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.
1990s
Laura Greiner (’96 animal science, ’99 MS animal nutrition, ’01 PhD), associate professor of animal science and director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center, received the Dean Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research and the Outstanding Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award from Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Dan Voss (’93 professional agriculture) and Susan Voss were named one of the Class of 2026 Iowa Master Farmers.
1980s
Scott Louscher (’84 agricultural business), accredited farm manager and certified crop adviser, received the top business development award from Farmers National Co.
Barb Clawson (’83 agricultural and life sciences education, ’88 MS), student services specialist and adjunct associate professor for Iowa State University’s Department of Horticulture, was named one of the 2026 Golden Owl awardees.
1970s
Gerald “Jerry” Miller (’71 MS agronomy, ’74 PhD) received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Conservation Districts in recognition of his contributions to the conservation and management of our nation’s natural resources.
Richard Cruse (’72 agronomy), professor of agronomy and director of the Iowa Water Center, received the Outstanding Achievement in International Agriculture Award from Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Mick Barry (’72 forestry) won the World Championship swimming the 100m Butterfly in August at the World Aquatics Masters Championship held in Singapore. He also won the bronze medal in 200m IM and captained the USA Water Polo team winning the silver medal. All in the 75+ age division and was wearing his Iowa State University Water Polo Club swimming suit in all his events.
Pete Wenstrand (’74 agricultural business) and Dana Wenstrand (’87 home economics education and adult home economics education) have been named 2026 Iowa Master Farmers.
February 2026
2020s
Natalie (Eick) Paino (’20 agricultural business) of Hightail was named the winner of the Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2026 Grow Your Future competition.
Harrison Furlow (’21 animal science) was featured in a Farm Journal’s PORK article about his work as the public policy director at the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
2010s
Delaney (Webb) Hatton (’19 culinary food science, food science) recently joined General Mills as a senior research and development scientist with Cereal Partners Worldwide.
Anna Brooks (’18 agricultural and life sciences education), agriculture teacher at Ames Community School District in Ames, Iowa, was named the North Central STEM Region 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient.
2000s
Mollie (Luze) Aronowitz (’06 horticulture) has been named the 2025 Farm Manager of the Year by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
Gabriel “Gabe” Padilla (’00 agronomy, international agriculture) joined J&K Fresh as its west coast director of operations.
Jason Ross (’00 animal science) was named an Honorary Master Pork Producer by the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
Dan Bolin (’06 dairy science) and his wife, Lynn, were featured in an Iowa Food & Family Project article about their dairy farm that includes an on-site bed and breakfast.
1990s
Bryon Sleugh (’97 MS crop production and physiology, ’99 agronomy, crop production and physiology PhD) recently began his tenure as president of the American Forage and Grassland Council.
Pamela Joslyn (’90 genetics), a STEM educator at Muscatine Community School District in Muscatine, Iowa, was named the Southeast STEM Region 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient.
1980s
Don Swanson (’84 agricultural business) and his wife, Pam, were featured in an Iowa Food & Family Project article about their passion for farming.
January 2026
2020s
Erin Bergquist (’02 dietetics, ’24 PhD agricultural education and studies) has been named to the 2026 cohort of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Emily Saeugling (’22 animal science) began a new role as dairy foods account manager for Land O’Lakes, Inc.
2010s
Rebecca Furbeck (’18 food science) joined Kemin Food Technologies as the new technical services manager for proteins.
2000s
Nick Helland (’05 agricultural studies) received the Environmental Leader award from the Iowa Soybean Association.
Chris Gaesser (’08 agronomy) received the Innovator in Production Research award from the Iowa Soybean Association.
Courtney (Taglauer) Burkhalter (’09 agricultural and life sciences education, ’16 MS) recently graduated from the Iowa Farm Bureau Leadership Program.
1990s
Awoke Dollisso (’95 animal science, ’98 MS agricultural education and studies, agricultural and life sciences education, ’02 PhD) has been named to the 2026 cohort of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Tim Marek ('90 agricultural studies) and his wife, Heather, of Marek Land and Livestock, were featured in the winter 2026 edition of Fresh Pickings magazine.
1980s
Wendy Wintersteen (’88 PhD entomology) received the Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer award from the Iowa Soybean Association.
Dean Frazer ('87 agricultural studies) has been named the new president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
Dave Tierney ('85 public service and administration in agriculture) was named an Agribusiness Impact Award recipient, presented by the Agribusiness Association of Iowa.
1970s
Laura Krouse (’77 agronomy, ’78 agricultural business), owner of Abbe Hills Farm in Mount Vernon, Iowa, was named the recipient of the 2026 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award from Practical Farmers of Iowa.
Beth Doran (’75 home economics education, ’83 animal science), retired beef specialist in northwest Iowa with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, was inducted into the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Hall of Fame.
December 2025
2020s
Lauren Zaabel (’25 agricultural business) successfully completed the Iowa Bankers Association’s Introduction to Commercial Lending School. She is employed by United Bank & Trust in Newton, Iowa.
Alexa Gormley (’22 animal science) was featured in a Farm Journal’s PORK article about the research she’s conducting regarding intestinal health in pigs.
Jalyn Brownell ('22 animal science, '24 DVM veterinary medicine) has joined Iowa Equine as an associate veterinarian.
Natalie (Eick) Paino ('20 agricultural business) received one of the 2025 Women Impacting Agriculture awards from the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Women in Ag program.
Marta Grant ('21 agricultural business, international agriculture) has accepted a new role as an outreach and communications specialist with the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University.
2010s
Janelle Johnson (’14 agricultural business, public service and administration in agriculture) was featured in an Iowa Farmer Today article.
Ben Shivers ('13 agricultural studies) and his family were featured in a Farm News article about their three-generation hog operation and farm near Bondurant, Iowa.
2000s
Andrew Swope (’05 agricultural systems technology) has been hired as the new agriculture teacher and FFA advisor for Oskaloosa High School in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Cole Burrack ('09 animal science, '13 DVM veterinary medicine) received the 2025 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance Educator Award from the Iowa Beef Industry Council.
1980s
Bill Northey (’81 agricultural business) will be honored posthumously with the 2026 Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Patrick Schnable (’86 PhD agronomy) was elected to the National Academy of Inventors.
1970s
David Meisinger (’78 PhD animal science) was inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame
November 2025
2010s
Bryan Rank (’13 MS agricultural and life sciences education, ’16 PhD), dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at East Texas A&M University, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Non Land-Grant Agriculture and Renewable Resources Universities committee.
2000s
Kevin Roepke (’06 public service and administration in agriculture) has been named executive director for the U.S. Soybean Export Council. In this role, he will lead the strategy and team for Middle East, North Africa and South Asia operations.
Sarah Low (’02 public service and administration in agriculture), professor and head of the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics within the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has been named a Fellow of the Regional Science Association International – the highest honor in the field of regional science.
1980s
Curt Behrends ('86 agricultural business) received the Alumni Award from the Cass County 4-H program.