I grew up on my family's cow-calf beef operation in south-central Missouri. I am extremely thankful for the way I was raised and the farm environment I was privileged enough to experience. I've always enjoyed being outdoors and working with my hands, particularly when that meant helping my dad put up hay, fix fences, or work cattle. My animal science background provides a helpful and well-rounded perspective of the agricultural cycle as a whole. These factors shaped me into the person I am - resourceful, motivated, and overly passionate about agriculture and making a difference for our country's hardest and humblest workers, farmers.