Meet the Creators

Katharine

Howdy! I’m Katharine, creator of Millennial Ag. 

I’ve been shaped by agriculture all my life, as the daughter of dairy farmers, the wife of a high school ag teacher and employed in the ag industry.  I’m a passionate agriculturist and a bit of a boat rocker.

I don’t rock the boat to sink it or cause panic, but to call attention to situations that need addressing.

  Back when I was in middle school, I was aghast at the milk being served in the cafeteria.  I started a campaign to lower the milk cooler temperature and to source milk that came in plastic resealable bottles, rather than the paper cartons we saw every day.  I got the student body involved (the Got Milk? swag was a hit), asked my local dairyman’s organization for help, and eventually succeeded at pestering the school district nutrition director enough that the milk situation changed for the better.

During this time, several adults in my life referred to me as a “boat rocker”: one who disrupts the smooth functioning or routine of something.  Some of them were impressed by my efforts, others less so. I learned a valuable lesson: sometimes the boat needs to be rocked. Letting things drift because “it’s always been that way” can lead to the doldrums and back-paddling.  It also taught me that “can’t” ( as in: you can’t do that-you’re too young or you’re not a district official; you can’t possibly think someone would listen to you) is an excuse for mediocrity.

   Millennial Ag is the convergence of my agrarian roots, my passion for rural America and the industry that sustains her, and a firm belief that as agriculturists, we have a duty and responsibility to turn toward the future with innovation, enthusiasm, and the willingness to question the status quo.  

Thank you so much for stopping by! Let’s go rock some boats.

-Katharine

Valene

I’m Valene, the co-host of the Millennial Ag Podcast, and I grew up on a fifth generational farm and ranch in Southern Idaho where my family continues to grow cows, corn, potatoes, small grains, and hay. I am a Colorado State graduate in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Soil and Water and additional Animal Science emphasis (go Rams!!). I currently work for AGPROfessionals as a licensed professional engineer focusing on CAFO (Confined Animal Feeding Operation) compliance and agricultural engineering design of feedlots, dairy ponds and drainages. I recently obtained my Professional Engineers license and am excited to have relocated to Southern Idaho. In my spare time, you can find me outdoors (rock climbing, running, skiing, riding horses) or assisting on the farm and ranch.