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The first lady in agriculture we will be featuring is my dear friend, Laney (Elena) Andrews. She is the first story in a four part series about four amazing friends of mine who had the opportunity to serve as South Dakota State FFA Officers during the 2025-2026 year.

Before we talk about Laney and what it means to be a leader in the agriculture industry, I would like to introduce myself.

Hi! I’m Modesty Heath. I’m a nursing student from Huron, South Dakota, and I don’t come from the most typical agriculture background. I’m a first generation South Dakotan, and I didn’t step foot on my first farm until I was 16 years old. My exposure to agriculture started through FFA, which is why it felt fitting to begin this series with the story of an FFA member.

Through FFA, I competed in CDEs and LDEs, traveled across the state and beyond, and had countless experiences that opened my eyes to the world of agriculture. One of the greatest opportunities FFA gave me was the chance to serve alongside these four women as a South Dakota State FFA Ambassador during the 2025-2026 year. Watching them lead, advocate for agriculture, and connect with members across the state gave me an even greater appreciation for the impact young women are making in this industry.

While I learned a lot about farming, ranching, and agriculture itself, one thing stood out to me more than anything else: the women.

If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t expect to meet so many incredible women in agriculture. But the more involved I became, the more I realized they are the backbone of one of the world’s most important industries. They are leaders, advocates, innovators, educators, and caretakers, all while helping feed and sustain our communities.

That is why I created this series. I want to highlight some of the amazing women who are making a difference in agriculture and share their stories with others. My hope is that these stories inspire, educate, and help people see the many different faces of agriculture today.

I hope you enjoy reading this series as much as I have enjoyed putting it together.

The first question I asked Laney was, “What role do you usually play on your family’s farm, and what kind of operation do you have?”

Laney’s family owns a pig farm, and she spends much of her time caring for the pigs and helping with the daily tasks that keep the operation running smoothly. Whether that means feeding animals, checking on their health, or tackling the countless chores that come with farm life, she plays an important role in her family’s operation.

I also asked Laney about some of the challenges she faces as a woman in agriculture. The first thing she mentioned was that much of the equipment used on farms simply is not designed with women in mind. She explained that seats, controls, and other features are often built for larger body types, which can make equipment uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe to use. She shared that she has even been injured a time or two because equipment did not fit her properly.

Unfortunately, Laney’s experience is not unique. Historically, most agricultural equipment has been designed and tested using male body measurements, with women’s needs often overlooked. As more women continue to take on leadership and hands-on roles in agriculture, many are advocating for equipment that better fits the people who use it every day.

Despite these challenges, Laney continues to work hard on her family’s farm and is passionate about the industry. Her experiences serve as a reminder that while agriculture has made great strides, there is still room for improvement in making the industry more accessible for everyone.

After hearing about Laney’s experiences on the farm, I wanted to learn more about how growing up in agriculture influenced her plans for the future. I asked her, “How has your background in agriculture shaped your goals for college and your future career?”

Laney is currently attending South Dakota State University, where she is studying Agricultural Education. Her goal is to become an agriculture teacher and help inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders. Along with her passion for education, she has a strong interest in agricultural law and policy. She hopes to stay involved in advocacy work throughout her career and use her knowledge to help shape policies that support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

She shared that growing up in agriculture gave her a strong foundation and helped shape the values she carries with her today. From a young age, she was exposed to hard work, responsibility, and grit. She explained that agriculture is a tough and demanding industry. There are long days, unexpected challenges, and sometimes losses that are simply out of your control. While those experiences are not always easy, they teach resilience, perseverance, and the importance of showing up even when things are difficult.

Laney believes the lessons she learned growing up on the farm have prepared her well for both college and her future career. Her interest in agricultural law and policy comes from a desire to advocate for an industry that has already given her so much. Whether she is teaching in a classroom, mentoring students through FFA, or speaking up on issues that affect agriculture, she hopes to make a meaningful impact and help others better understand the importance of the agricultural industry.

I also asked Laney what she wishes more people understood about women working in agriculture today.

She said she wishes more people understood that women are capable of doing all the same things as men. It may not always look exactly the same, and women may approach challenges differently, but that does not make them any less capable.

Laney believes women bring creativity and strong problem solving skills to the industry. Agriculture requires people to think on their feet, adapt, and find solutions when things do not go as planned. Women do that every day while helping keep farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses running.

Her message was simple: women get the job done.

I then asked Laney what advice she would give to young girls interested in agriculture who are not quite sure where to start.

Her biggest piece of advice was to keep an open mind and never take opportunities for granted. She encouraged young women to step outside of their comfort zones, meet new people, and build connections whenever possible. Whether it is joining an organization, attending a conference, competing in an event, or simply introducing yourself to someone new, every experience has the potential to teach you something valuable.

Laney also stressed the importance of networking. Agriculture is a surprisingly small world, and the relationships you build can open doors you never expected. She believes some of the best opportunities come from being willing to put yourself out there and learn from the people around you.

Another thing she emphasized was not becoming too comfortable with the status quo. There is always more to learn, new experiences to have, and new ways to grow both personally and professionally. Agriculture is constantly changing, and those who are willing to stay curious and keep learning are often the ones who find the most success.

For Laney, agriculture has been much more than an industry. It has helped shape who she is as a person. Through the challenges, opportunities, and relationships she has built along the way, she has gained confidence, developed leadership skills, and discovered her passions. She believes agriculture is an incredibly rewarding field and a place where young people can truly find themselves.

Her advice was simple: say yes to opportunities, stay curious, and never stop growing. You never know where a single experience or conversation might lead.

For my final question, I asked Laney how her time as a South Dakota State FFA Officer influenced both her leadership style and her involvement in agriculture.

As the 2025-2026 State FFA Treasurer, Laney had the opportunity to travel across the state, meet countless FFA members, and experience parts of agriculture she had never been exposed to before. Growing up, most of her experience came from her family’s pig and cash crop operation, along with time spent on her grandparents’ dairy farm. She also raised a few chickens and worked with beef cattle. While she thought she had a pretty good understanding of agriculture, serving as a state officer showed her just how large and diverse the industry really is.

She shared that meeting people from different backgrounds and learning about different operations opened her eyes to opportunities and careers she had never considered before. The experience helped her realize that agriculture extends far beyond the farm and plays an important role on both a state and global scale.

When it comes to leadership, Laney said her year as a state officer made her more aware of how fortunate she is to have had so many opportunities. It gave her a new perspective and helped her appreciate even the experiences that challenged her. She learned that growth often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing new responsibilities.

Looking back, Laney says her year as a State FFA Officer strengthened her leadership skills, expanded her view of agriculture, and deepened her appreciation for the industry. Most importantly, it reminded her that no matter how much you know about agriculture, there is always more to learn.

I’ve known Laney for quite some time now, and I am incredibly grateful to call her my friend. Watching her grow as a leader and advocate for agriculture has been inspiring, and I feel lucky to have served alongside her. I hope that through this article you get a glimpse of the person I know and admire, and that her story inspires you as much as she has inspired me. <3

If you know a women in Ag you would love to have featured on Harvest-Her email me -modestyheath99@gmail.com-

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