Name: Anne Dinges. 

Hometown: Byron, IL but I’ve lived in Des Moines, IA for the last 4 years.

Major and Graduation Date:  Agronomy and Global Resource Systems, May 2019

Favorite ISU Class: Mary Wiedenhoft’s agroecosystems field course. We spent a week in northwest Iowa visiting a diverse set of farms and thinking critically about the intersection of farm business and stewardship. 

Job Title & Company:  Global Regenerative Agriculture Manager, Griffith Foods

Major Job/Position Responsibilities:  Griffith Foods is a global product development partner specializing in high-quality food ingredients such as seasonings, sauces, dressings, coatings, soups, and doughs. In my role, I work to partner with our supply chain to further regenerative agriculture practices. Most frequently, I work closely with our purchasing team and suppliers in specialty crops and commodities to identify, organize, and scale projects that involve on-farm data collection, educational support, and practice implementation. 

What you like most about your job/position:  The aspect I find most exciting about my role is the variety it offers. I have the opportunity to learn from and work with farms of all sizes, crop types, and geographies. For example, I work with crops like corn in the Midwest, onions in Colombia, and black pepper in Vietnam.  

What advice would you give to current students pursuing a career in Agriculture and Life Sciences? My advice is to embrace stepping out of your comfort zone. Consider studying abroad and while looking at options, explore different departments and professors that you wouldn’t have otherwise interacted with. Another possibility is to take on an internship that challenges your capabilities. Think of these experiences as valuable tools in your career toolbox. While specialization comes later, as a student, aim to gain a diverse understanding of different aspects of agriculture.