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AG CAREERS<br />
crunching data and forecasting what hybrids<br />
need to be grown next season to produce<br />
seed for farmers the following year. In<br />
late 2023, they’re trying to figure out what<br />
farmers will plant in 2025.<br />
If a person is considering agronomy,<br />
Mente suggests they consider not only the<br />
environment they want to work in but also<br />
the way they’ll communicate with people.<br />
“There are a lot of very intelligent<br />
people,” he said. “What they miss out on is<br />
their delivery of a message.<br />
“Keep your mind open. We can all learn<br />
more,” he advised.<br />
“Some of the best people can put things<br />
in terms people can understand but can also<br />
jump to the next level if they need to,” he<br />
said.<br />
Sometimes it seems as though the field of<br />
agronomy can change almost as quickly as<br />
field conditions.<br />
“My focus is to learn something new<br />
every day,” Mente said. “And to make that<br />
an asset to pass around to the customer.” n<br />
‘There is lots of good<br />
to do in this world’<br />
Inspired by his own teachers, North Scott educator<br />
encourages ag students to focus on making a difference<br />
BY JANE SCHMIDT<br />
EASTERN IOWA FARMER<br />
Jacob Hunter’s journey in the<br />
field of agriculture began<br />
where he grew up, on a beef<br />
cattle farm north of DeWitt.<br />
He did chores every day before<br />
school and on weekends. In the<br />
summer, he helped bale hay.<br />
“I developed a strong work ethic<br />
and a home that gave me a heart<br />
for agriculture,” Hunter said. And<br />
his years in grade school and high<br />
school gave him the foundation to<br />
build his career as teacher in that<br />
field.<br />
As a student at St. Joseph Catholic<br />
School he learned about service and<br />
the importance of giving back to others.<br />
Through his participation in 4-H,<br />
he learned the art of public speaking.<br />
Great teachers also inspired Hunter,<br />
a 2007 graduate from Central<br />
DeWitt High School.<br />
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eifarmer.com FALL 2023 | EASTERN IOWA FARMER 27<br />
<strong>Eastern</strong>Iowa<strong>Farmer</strong>_South_Fall2023.indd 27<br />
9/19/23 3:34 PM
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