Ag Roundtable Spurs HR & Collegiate Dialogue

August 19, 2019
Newsletter Article

HR professionals, managers, association representatives, collegiate staff and career services gathered to discuss pressing challenges in agriculture, plus employee and student development. Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and BASF hosted the 17th Annual AgCareers.com Ag & Food HR Roundtable.

Ag Roundtable Spurs HR & Collegiate Dialogue

Networking opportunities are always one of the highlights and most beneficial aspects of each Roundtable. Guests gathered for a welcome reception, including the new University Flash Networking session. Participants learned more about and met our university and college partners. Optional networking breakfasts were held each morning, examining table topics and bridging the gaps between industry and academia. Participants gathered for food and fun at the Networking Tailgate Dinner in the Sukup End Zone Club at Iowa State University.

Of course, education and learning are a key piece of the Roundtable experience. The Roundtable included both conference-wide presentations, panel discussions, and breakout concurrent sessions. Keynote speaker Sarah Noll Wilson kicked off the event with the keynote address Manage Change, Don’t Let Change Manage You. Noll Wilson’s honest, fun delivery explored managing change, telling us that, “People don’t fear change, they fear loss.”

Next Jonathan Shaver with Envision Partners presented, I’m the Leader? Who Me? Shaver discussed how a leader’s purpose is the maximize the contribution of each team member.

Day two included a look at what’s on the horizon in agriculture and food with a presentation by Billi Hunt of the Cultivation Corridor. There was a panel discussion on Winning the Battle for New Graduate Talent, followed by concurrent sessions related to artificial intelligence in HR, international students, retaining young professionals, onboarding for retention, LGBTQ inclusion, and assessments.

Attendees said they’d highly recommend the Roundtable to others, so please mark your calendars for the next AgCareers.com Ag & Food HR Roundtable, August 4-6, 2020. Watch for details on the host and location soon!

Thanks again to our 2019 Roundtable Sponsors: BASF, Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Corteva, OK Foods, Syngenta, Valent, Wilbur-Ellis, Gavilon, The Noble Research Institute, REG and Landus Cooperative.