Agriculture’s rising star

January 6, 2025 | Bethany Baratta

Ostrem seeks to connect agriculture and consumers

Amanda Ostrem was brushing her pig, awaiting to be called to the show ring when her career path became a little clearer.  However, it wasn’t in the grooming technique, the walk to the show ring, the experience or advice from a fellow showman or judge that encouraged her. Rather, it was a visitor to the Iowa State Fair, someone disconnected from agriculture.

“We don’t need farmers, we have grocery stores,” the woman told Ostrem, who was raised on a farm near Stanhope.

Seven years later, Ostrem replays that comment in her head. It’s fuel for her journey in helping to connect consumers and farmers.

“I think the biggest issue is the lack of understanding of the importance of agriculture and how it works,” says Ostrem, a student at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).

Had the fair passerby stopped to talk to Ostrem, she’d learn about her summers on the farm, using her wagon to pick rocks out of soybean and corn fields. She’d learn about how planting and harvest .— though short seasons in the year on a farm — provided Ostrem, her brother and her sister with valuable lessons.

“We weren’t the largest farm, but we were really family involved,” she says. “Spending time together and seeing agriculture as a whole was something that was really special.”

Years later, the passerby would learn about how early morning and late night practices in her agricultural education classroom in Stanhope prepared her for extemporaneous speaking and conduct of meetings contests, and, eventually, her role as the South Hamilton FFA chapter’s president. She would hear about Ostrem’s efforts as a member of the Clear Lake Sailors 4-H Club, showing her horse and her dog.

Now, Ostrem has her sights set on the future.

Ostrem was recently named the recipient of the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Rising Star award. Sponsored by Farm Credit, one award recipient is chosen based on applications and essay submissions from high school seniors or college students. Ostrem also received a $2,000 education stipend to be used to further her studies.

After earning her degree in ag business from DMACC this year, Ostrem will attend Iowa State University to study ag communication.

“I want a career that involves advocacy to passionately push agriculture through to other people,” she says. “I really want to bridge the gap between agriculture and society. There’s a lack of understanding on both sides, and creating that understanding will only create support for the industry.”

She credits her advisors and teachers at DMACC for their support of the DMACC Ag Club, of which she is currently president. Being involved in ISA’s Soy Squad also bridged her understanding of the soybean industry. Soy Squad connected her to other collegiate-aged students while providing an overview of ISA and its research, policy and education efforts.

“One of my favorite sessions was interacting with policymakers, especially those from my home area, whom I’ve never met,” she says. “Connecting as a student to a politician and learning about how their world works and sharing what we’re interested in helped frame up how we can work together.”

An internship with the World Food Prize Foundation’s youth program opened her eyes to global food production and the challenges that surround global hunger.

“Everyone is so focused on increasing production because of an increasing population, but in reality, if all the food we have now was distributed throughout the world equally, everyone would have 2,000 plus calories more than the daily requirement,” she says.

Thinking globally and acting locally may very well be in Ostrem’s career path. Her experiences in agriculture and this award recognition from ISA support her future endeavors.

“It’s really important to me and I’m beyond honored,” she says of the award. “It’s proving that I’m on the right track, that I’m following the right passions and that there are a lot of people who care about agricultural advocacy.” 

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