For the Love of Agriculture
I am going to reflect on this month, usually attributed to love and affection, by borrowing a famous quote from John Steinbeck that exemplifies his deep appreciation for my home state of Montana. With a twist, I would like to attribute it to our industry:
“For other occupations I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with agriculture it is love.”
Yes, that might seem a bit corny on the surface, but for me there is a strong passion and love for this industry. It is one that provides us with food, fuel, and fiber — but it is the people behind those products and commodities that I hold such strong fondness for. Truly, agriculture is more than simply an industry; it is a way of life. It is a deep-rooted desire to be responsible caretakers of animals and proactive stewards of the land.
I could show my love for agriculture by simply carrying out my responsibilities as a third-generation rancher in Central Montana — working the land and caring for livestock much like I learned from the generations before me. There is something grounding about knowing the soil beneath your boots has supported your family for generations. And it is easy to get swept up in that work, head down running through your to-do list as quickly as possible.
However, I recognize the need for the farms, ranches and homesteads around me to survive and thrive. My family’s operation is not making much of an impact on beef supply or wheat exports, if we are one of only a few producers left.
That is where another layer of love for agriculture reveals itself.
Loving this industry is not just about caring for your own operation — it is about strengthening the operations around you. It is about understanding that agriculture is an ecosystem of people as much as it is an ecosystem of land and livestock. When one producer struggles, the ripple effects are felt across rural communities, local businesses, and markets.
Consultants play a vital role in that ecosystem. Agriculture has always thrived on shared knowledge- neighbor to neighbor, region to region and from one generation to the next. Consultants continue this tradition, serving not just as advisors but as partners in success. They bring technical expertise, data, research, and perspective that help producers navigate increasingly complex challenges. Weather variability, input costs, market volatility, regulatory pressures, generational transitions — these are realities no single rancher or farmer can solve alone.
But consultants also bring something less tangible and equally important: encouragement, objectivity, and a steady hand when decisions feel heavy.
When a producer combines generational knowledge and instinct with sound technical guidance, the result is stronger operations and more confident decision-making. That strength allows more farms and ranches to remain viable. And when more operations remain viable, rural communities remain vibrant. Schools stay open. Main streets stay active. The next generation sees a future worth staying for.
To love agriculture is to care about its future. And my love for agriculture runs deep, not just as a producer but as someone invested in the industry growing and flourishing.
I hope these thoughts leave you reflecting a bit on the work that you do and the why behind it. Agriculture consulting is important work and collaboration with our peers makes it even more impactful and meaningful.
And perhaps that is why we can call it love.
Not because it is easy.
Not because it is perfect.
But because it is purposeful.
Abigail Byerly
president@agconsultants.org
Standing Committees:
Membership –Pete Weisenberger - peteweis846@gmail.com
Nominating – David Mielnicki - david.mielnicki@nmrk.com
By-Laws – Don Tyler - don@dontyler.com
Accreditation (CAC) Committee - Bill Zweigbaum - bill.zweigbaum@gmail.com
Ethics and Grievance – Ethan Robertson - ethan.robertson@farmcrediteast.com
Continuing Education – Scott Mickey - smickey@clemson.edu
Annual Meeting – Josh DeGraw - Josh.degraw@nmrk.com
Finance – Keith Raynor - keith@trpsumner.com
Ad Hoc Committees
Marketing and Promotion – Open
