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Agriculture

Empowering the Next Generation of Farmers: Billie Lentz's Journey to Agricultural Excellence

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As a fifth-generation farmer in Rolla, North Dakota, Billie Lentz is passionate about sharing her experience and knowledge with fellow producers and consumers. Through her Instagram account, Lentz documents her farm life, educating others about the crops she grows and the technology she employs. Her work extends beyond the farm, as she serves as a marketing, communications, and recruitment manager at Legacy Cooperative, a $350 million dollar grain, agronomy, and energy cooperative.

Lentz's dedication to agriculture is evident in her involvement with various boards and organizations, including the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association and the Global Farmer Network. Her journey, which began at North Dakota State University (NDSU), has culminated in her becoming a leader in the agricultural industry. Lentz credits NDSU for providing her with a comprehensive education in agriculture economics, as well as access to expert faculty and staff who guided her in her career development.

Key Takeaways:

  • Billie Lentz, a 2022 NDSU agriculture economics graduate, is a fifth-generation farmer in Rolla, North Dakota, and uses Instagram to document her farm life and educate others about agriculture.
  • Lentz's work in agriculture extends beyond the farm, as she serves as a marketing, communications, and recruitment manager at Legacy Cooperative, a $350 million dollar grain, agronomy, and energy cooperative.
  • She is an active member of various boards and organizations, including the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association and the Global Farmer Network.
  • Lentz credits her education at NDSU with providing her with a comprehensive understanding of agriculture economics and access to expert faculty and staff.
  • Her NDSU experience included taking courses in agriculture finance, taught by Professor Cheryl Wachenheim, who helped facilitate a virtual class discussion on succession planning for family farm businesses.
  • Lentz's success has been recognized by Wachenheim, who praised her commitment to managing the family farm and growing her community.
  • After graduating, Lentz worked with an agriculture equipment business in three states before returning to North Dakota, where she is currently working at Legacy Cooperative and continues to advocate for women in agriculture.

Statistics:

  • $350 million: the annual revenue of Legacy Cooperative, a grain, agronomy, and energy cooperative where Lentz serves as a marketing, communications, and recruitment manager.
  • July 14 - Aug. 7: the dates of NDSU's annual North Dakota Tour, which will feature visits from university administrators, deans, and faculty to alumni, local leaders, legislators, and NDSU supporters.
  • 2022: the year Lentz graduated from NDSU with a degree in agriculture economics.
  • 4-H and FFA: the organizations that Lentz attended camps and conventions at NDSU, where she gained insight into the agriculture industry and her desired career path.
  • 2 years: the span of time Lentz lived in three states while working with an agriculture equipment business.

Sources:

  • North Dakota State University
  • Legacy Cooperative
  • North Dakota Soybean Growers Association
  • Global Farmer Network

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