Friday’s Farmer: DeVonna Zeug, Walnut Grove, Minn.

Nov. 20: Every Friday, NCGA features a profile of one of our country’s corn farmers that provides a look the future of agricultural leadership. Today, we meet Minnesotan DeVonna Zeug, who is making ag leadership a family affair.

While she knew that she had a future in agricultural leadership, it took a slight push to knock DeVonna Zeug into corn.

Both Zeug and her husband knew that they wanted to help shape the community in which they grew up. So, in 2001 they started training for leadership in a variety of organizations.

At first, they did not focus on corn. Bob Fox changed all of that.

A representative of the county corn board, Fox recognized both strong potential and energy in DeVonna and asked if she would consider working with his organization. A firm believer in starting at the grassroots level, she agreed.

DeVonna entered the world of agricultural leadership at a young age. While in school, she served as president, vice president, treasurer and secretary of her local 4H club at various times.

Now, she fosters this early participation in her children. Three of the four participate in their local Future Farmers of America program. The fourth probably will when old enough. Zeug said she finds it important that children learn from a young age that they must develop the skills that they will need to move their industry forward toward a bright future.

Currently, the family is helping export the story of American agriculture by fostering a German exchange student. The student, who comes from an urban background, is learning about both farm life and the broader U.S. culture while enjoying time with the Zeug family.

DeVonna actively cultivated her own leadership skills while attending leadership academies sponsored by NCGA and other organizations. While DeVonna’s husband also attended early on, he now runs the day-to-day farm operations. In playing this role, he is best able to support their involvement in agriculture while maintain a thriving corn and soybean operation.

Speaking of why she dedicates so much effort to ag leadership, Zeug explains that “political involvement is so important for our future, that of our children and that of agriculture as a whole. If we don’t start doing something, our industry as we know it could disappear.”

DeVonna currently serves as President of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. While she can only serve three three-year terms with the organization, DeVonna is already planning for the future when she will increase her level of involvement with the Farm Bureau.

When speaking on her leadership philosophy, Zeug counsels others, “not to be afraid of anything. To be an effective leader, you have to push yourself outside of your box.” This theory, coupled with her positive, energetic nature bodes well for agriculture if she is an accurate indicator of its young leadership.