Featuring the Future – Andrea Rutledge
I’ve heard two perspectives about the younger generation that is now becoming active in the beef industry. The first being that we bring hope to our industry as we are excited about technology and less fearful of change and the second being that we don’t know how to work and don’t want to come back to agriculture. I agree with the first and strongly disagree with the second. It’s for this reason that I am shifting my blog to feature the younger generations in the beef industry. Follow along each week to hear an inspiring story about young individuals in the beef industry who are already making a difference.
I’m excited to start out this blog series by introducing you to Miss Andrea Rutledge. Andrea is a Montana rancher who has a passion like no other for cattle and the western lifestyle. Andrea’s current role in the industry is a student. She is working to be an active learner in her everyday involvement as well as when she enters graduate school this summer.
She has many memories in the beef industry that stand out; however, her favorite occurred when her parents moved them back to the family operation in Montana. She was only five years old but looking back she realizes this was a major turning point in her path and where her passion for agriculture began to develop.
While that’s where she started, she is excited about her future in the industry too! Andrea aspires to be a resource to others in the industry as she seeks to continuously learn and is beginning her journey into graduate school at Montana State University. Andrea looks forward to applying this knowledge in the field along with the technological advancements benign made. Her main passion and area of focus in the beef industry center around beef cattle reproduction. Andrea hopes to connect with more producers and help them effectively implement these technologies onto their own ranches.
Ultimately, we all have a choice to or not to be in this industry. Andrea chooses to be in the beef industry because for her it is a fulfilling path that allows her to work alongside her family to raise a high quality protein source for the world. When Andrea thinks about the mentors in her life, she says she has a lot to thank but she specifically wants to thank her dad for his support and guidance in her life journey and in this industry. She says her dad taught her that she was able to get any job done that a man could at a young age and also allowed for her to bring her opinions to the table from the beginning. He has truly been her biggest supporter.
When asked what her wish for the industry is, Andrea said, “My wish for the future of this industry is that we, as agriculturalists and stewards of the land, continue to share our story, passion, and knowledge with those around us. We all have a unique story to share, and it is so important to share that story with our consumers, so they are able to see the integrity behind the work we do in our industry.”
Thank you Andrea for being involved and optimistic about the future of our industry!
Do you know a young person whose story deserves to be highlighted? Send me a message or comment below!
