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| Janelle Kracht (top) and Carrie Dodds Photo Credit: Iowa Corn |
Janelle and Carrie have a similar role, but serve in different regions of the state of Iowa. They each bring a unique perspective to the organization and are wonderful ambassadors for Iowa agriculture.
1. Where did you go to school?
Janelle: I graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture with an emphasis in Turf Management.
Carrie: I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor or Science in Animal Science and Ag Business and a minor in Marketing.
Carrie: I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor or Science in Animal Science and Ag Business and a minor in Marketing.
2. What inspired you to be a District Field Manager?
Janelle: I knew that I wanted a career that would present the opportunity to make a difference in the world every day. It was very important to me to end a work day knowing that what I did was helping someone and bettering our society and industry.
A friend from college, who had worked for Iowa Corn, reached out and encouraged me to apply for the DFM position. The rest is history.
Carrie: My love for working with farmers is what lead me to pursue this position. I feel it is imperative for farmers and the agricultural industry to tell their story.
Carrie: My love for working with farmers is what lead me to pursue this position. I feel it is imperative for farmers and the agricultural industry to tell their story.
3. How long have you been working as a District Field Manager?
Janelle: I will be celebrating my 8th Anniversary as a District Field Manager with Iowa Corn in November, 2015.
Carrie: 3 years.
Carrie: 3 years.
4. What skills are necessary for a career as a District Field Manager?
Janelle: I believe a successful District Field Manager is passionate about the industry, organized, is a good communicator, has a strong work ethic, is a good listener, is driven and is not afraid to have constructive conversation.
Carrie: You must be a motivated self-starter and flexible. No day is ever the same and your schedule can change with the weather, literally. If it is raining and one of your county groups can meet sometimes you have to shuffle something around to get a meeting in. I feel you need to be comfortable working with people of all ages and demographics. One day you could be meeting with a group of farmers or doing elevator visits and the next day you could be presenting for a group of 100 Second graders.
Carrie: You must be a motivated self-starter and flexible. No day is ever the same and your schedule can change with the weather, literally. If it is raining and one of your county groups can meet sometimes you have to shuffle something around to get a meeting in. I feel you need to be comfortable working with people of all ages and demographics. One day you could be meeting with a group of farmers or doing elevator visits and the next day you could be presenting for a group of 100 Second graders.
5. How does your job fit into the agricultural industry? (Who do you work with? Who do you help? Who helps you?)
Janelle: I primarily work with corn farmers who are active within their local county corn grower board. We are engaged within the community educating consumers about the Ag industry, i.e.; where their food comes from, the benefits of ethanol, biotechnology, sustainability, conservation, water quality, etc. We understand the need to work with the youth in agriculture and educate them about the importance of getting involved. Local county boards also recognize the importance of being engaged in the political aspect of industry.
Carrie: As a DFM you are tasked to tell the story or help others tell the story of Iowa Corn and the agricultural industry every day. We help farmers tell their story and work with audiences to understand the importance of where their food comes from and the vast uses of corn in their everyday lives.
6. What career/internship opportunities are there with Iowa Corn?
Janelle & Carrie: We have a marketing internship for the summer and we are looking to hire a social media manager full time. Here are the descriptions for each:
2016 Summer Marketing Intern: Iowa Corn is seeking a smart, organized, energetic person to assist with activities in our current Marketing & Communications department. This internship offers an excellent opportunity for a talented student committed to help implementing programs that increase demand for corn and creating profitably for Iowa’s corn farmers. The Marketing Intern will work closely with Iowa Corn’s Marketing & Communications team to provide support for state and local programs.
Social Media Manager: This position is responsible for the management of an effective and efficient communications program for the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Iowa Corn Growers Association. It initiates and manages communications projects, specific to website management and social media platforms, with other internal departments in the areas of research, marketing, public policy and grower services, ensuring that the organizations’ image is consistently and appropriately communicated in the various target segments.
2016 Summer Marketing Intern: Iowa Corn is seeking a smart, organized, energetic person to assist with activities in our current Marketing & Communications department. This internship offers an excellent opportunity for a talented student committed to help implementing programs that increase demand for corn and creating profitably for Iowa’s corn farmers. The Marketing Intern will work closely with Iowa Corn’s Marketing & Communications team to provide support for state and local programs.
Social Media Manager: This position is responsible for the management of an effective and efficient communications program for the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Iowa Corn Growers Association. It initiates and manages communications projects, specific to website management and social media platforms, with other internal departments in the areas of research, marketing, public policy and grower services, ensuring that the organizations’ image is consistently and appropriately communicated in the various target segments.
7. Is there anything else you would like a student audience to know?
Janelle: It’s important to be involved and engaged in the Ag industry. There are so many different outlets that will allow you to become involved and many organizations that you can belong to to help keep you engaged with what is happening within the industry. These organizations are working for you and working for the best interest of the farmer. Organizations strive to find students, farmers and agribusiness’ to be engaged in their respective organizations. Your input is vital to success of an organization like the Iowa Corn Growers Association.
I can't thank Janelle and Carrie enough for sharing their experiences and advice today. I certainly look up to them as exemplary women in agriculture. Be sure to stop by and say hello if you see them at the Iowa Corn Career Fair booth next Tuesday! Thanks for reading!
I can't thank Janelle and Carrie enough for sharing their experiences and advice today. I certainly look up to them as exemplary women in agriculture. Be sure to stop by and say hello if you see them at the Iowa Corn Career Fair booth next Tuesday! Thanks for reading!
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