Young Alum of the Month

Matt Scuffham
Rolfe, Iowa

Major and Graduation date:

Major: Agronomy
Graduation: May 2000

Job Title and Company:

Sales Agronomist
Ag Partners L.L.C.
Albert City, Iowa

Major Job Responsibilities:

As a sales agronomist for Ag Partners, I am responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with area farmers while helping them discover the best agronomic solutions for their operations. My job responsibilities change with the seasons from weigh checks and soil sampling in the fall, product placement and planning in the winter, crop scouting and chemical recommendations in the spring and summer. Along the way, it is my job to help them with their fertility recommendations, hybrid placement, and recommendations for weed and pest management.

What do you like most about your job?

As a sales agronomist, I enjoy the opportunity to work closely with farmers and see all of their hard work and planning pay off in the fall as they harvest their crops.

What advice would you give to current students pursuing a career in Agriculture?

Production agriculture has changed dramatically in the past six years since I graduated from Iowa State. Growers are making use of more technology every year, whether it is bio-tech crops, variable rate applications of crop nutrients or guidance systems to plant and spray with. Agriculture will continue to change at a more rapid pace than before and there are many opportunities for young people with ambition and a willingness to learn. Seek out as many different internships as possible while in college as the people you meet and the knowledge you gain from those experiences will make your job search much easier after graduation. I would also encourage students to stay active in clubs or organizations while in school as well as taking Ag-related courses outside of your major to broaden your knowledge. Good luck!