by Kilah Hemesath, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Coordinator
Agriculture has a special way of holding on to the people who have worked in this industry. This #RootsinBoots story is one of the many reasons why 16.8 million Americans are employed by the American agriculture industry and other related industries.
Ali Luety of Clinton, Wisc., has chosen to remain the agricultural community upon graduation. She grew up in rural South Central Wisconsin where her family currently raises row crops and registered Angus cattle. She 
followed in her older siblings’ footsteps by showing pigs and cattle in 4-H and the Wisconsin Show Pig Association jackpot series.
One of Ali’s favorite memories is the time she won her first county fair pig show with a barrow named “Bubba,” which her family had raised themselves. This early success sparked her interest in the livestock industry, and led her to double major in Public Relations and Agriculture & Society at Iowa State University.
Although she was raised on a farm and ultimately enrolled in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS), Ali’s career path was filled with a few twists and turns. Ali’s heart was set on becoming a physician’s assistant. Upon graduating from high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She soon realized that was not the right path for her.
“The first two weeks as a Badger were quite a wakeup call,” said Ali. “I had always lived in this little bubble where I was surrounded by others who thought like me and understood the importance of agriculture.”
After taking a journalism class her freshman year, she fell in love with the world of strategic communications and writing. Ali soon realized she wanted a program that incorporated both communications and agriculture, so she packed her bags and made the tough decision to transfer to Iowa State as a sophomore. She never looked back.
Ali took advantage of her fresh start and jumped into extracurricular activities. She became involved in the Block & Bridle Club, Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow, “CALS Connections” publication, and Sigma Kappa sorority.
The amazing opportunities that College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students have outside of the classroom are as helpful as they are bountiful. “Truthfully, the clubs that I’ve been involved in have taught me more than I could ever learn in a classroom,” said Ali.
After graduating in May 2017, Ali would like to find a job that allows her to combine her talents for photography and writing about the agriculture industry. She is also considering attending graduate school to eventually pursue her Ph.D. and teach at the collegiate level. Her path to her future career is sure to be just as winding as it has been in the past, but Ali knows that wherever she ends up, agriculture will be the capstone piece in her story.
“I could write a book about all the opportunities agriculture has to offer. The agriculture industry is bursting with entrepreneurial companies that are very exciting, such as FarmHer, the organization I’m working for this summer,” says Ali. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get paid to visit women on their farms, plan events for young women in agriculture and write about what I love.”
Agriculture has a place for anyone with a passion and the drive to make meaningful contributions to the industry. Ali wrote a poem that explains the opportunities and roles “FarmHers” have in agriculture. Be sure to watch the video below!
https://youtu.be/EfNlSPz6zj4
Find more inspiring #RootsinBoots stories below:
- Women in Ag: Tracing Amy Rohe’s #RootsinBoots
- Women in Ag: Tracing Kilah Hemesath’s #RootsinBoots
- Women in Ag: Tracing Jenna Braun’s Roots in Boots
___
Without strong women to help shape and manage our company, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds would be a very different company than it is today. We understand the key roles women play in everything from purchasing seed to marketing grain, from public relations and event planning to sales and customer service. That’s why we’re celebrating women who are doing what they love. From now through November we’ll be showcasing women in agriculture by telling their #RootsinBoots stories. Follow along and be inspired by FarmHers across Iowa!