For this Tecumseh-area native, agriculture has always been part of daily life—not a career choice discovered later, but a foundation built from childhood.
She grew up in Macon Township, where her earliest memories are tied to time spent with her grandpa on the farm. Riding along on the tractor, she watched him bale hay, plow fields, plant crops, and haul soybeans to the elevator. She didn’t just want to observe—she wanted to be involved in everything he did. Those moments planted a connection to the land that never faded.
Raised on a multigenerational farm, she always knew her future would involve agriculture, even if she wasn’t sure what role she would play. As a fourth-generation cash crop farmer, she grew up understanding the responsibility that comes with caring for land that has been in her family for generations. Her family’s farming roots trace back from Germany to Carleton in Monroe County and eventually to Tecumseh—passed down from her great-grandfather Archie, to her grandfather Ed, to her father Ed, and now to her and her brother Austin. When the time comes, she will become the first woman in her family’s history to take over the farm.
Her direction became clear in high school when she joined FFA. While she had been active in 4-H for years, FFA showed her that agriculture was more than work—it was a calling. It also introduced her to a key influence: her agriculture teacher, Johanna Lentz, who helped her see the impact educators can have on students and the industry as a whole.
Today, she carries that influence forward as a high school agricultural educator in Ottawa County.
In her classroom, students learn far more than how food is grown. She teaches leadership, work ethic, biology, business, horticulture, forestry, and the many career paths agriculture offers. The most rewarding part of her job is watching students discover their strengths and find their place within the industry—often realizing opportunities they didn’t know existed.
Like many women in agriculture, her path has not been without challenges. Working in a male-dominated field has often meant having to prove herself and her capabilities. During moments when quitting felt easier, she relied on the support of others who had faced similar challenges, reminding herself that asking for help is not a weakness—and perseverance matters.
Those values extend beyond her career. She actively supports others by volunteering with FFA, 4-H, and the Michigan Farm Bureau, and by being a trusted listening ear for women navigating a career in agriculture.
Her involvement with Lenawee County Farm Bureau reflects her belief that agriculture is strongest when people are connected. Through Farm Bureau, she and her family stay engaged in the agricultural community, learn from fellow farmers, and advocate for policies and practices that protect the industry and the land.
Looking ahead, she is encouraged by the growing focus on conservation and stewardship. She hopes to see more young people involved in agriculture, greater support for first-generation farmers, and stronger efforts to preserve farmland for future generations.
Her advice to young women considering a career in agriculture is straightforward: go for it. The work is demanding, but the rewards—personal, professional, and generational—are worth it.
Being a woman in agriculture, she says, means being tough and resilient. It also means being passionate, dedicated, and willing to keep showing up—for the land, the people, and the future of farming in Lenawee County.