Andrew Lauver of Syngenta Selected As One of AgGrad 30 Under 30 Award Recipients

West Des Moines, IA (March 14, 2019) – On National Ag Day March 14, AgGrad announced winners of the first ever AgGrad 30 Under 30 Awards, a program created to celebrate the young professionals shaping the future of agriculture. Fourteen judges selected winners from peer and self-nominations based on contributions in their career, community, and the industry at large. Winners will be featured on AgGrad's social media channels and in a special print and online publication.

Andrew Lauver from West Des Moines, IA, is one of such recognized. Lauver serves as Manager, Industry Relations, at Syngenta where he contributes directly to Syngenta’s grower and stakeholder engagement.

Lauver has experience in seed and precision agricultural services in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Western Canada. He has interned with Senator Grassley and the Iowa House of Representatives, as well as the American Seed Trade Association, and has volunteered with the World Food Prize, Chicago Council, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Farm Bureau, and Grow Iowa Ag.

Lauver is from a fifth-generation family farm and received his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Studies from Iowa State University; he holds a Master of Agribusiness degree from Kansas State University. He has been active in AGR, FFA and 4-H and is currently working on a Master of Jurisprudence degree in Agriculture and Sustainability from the Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa.

He has international farm and animal agricultural study experience in Europe, Asia, and South America and has been named a Future Giant of the Seed Industry by Seed World and Future Seed Executives.

Recipients of this award find the recognition both personally and professionally rewarding. AgGrad 30 Under 30 is bringing together the brightest minds and future leaders of agriculture together to collaborate and advance the industry as a whole.

“Today was an extra special Ag Day," Lauver says. "Growing up on a family farm ingrained in me the importance of hard work, community involvement, personal tenacity, time management, and negotiation skills to enhance the lives of others. This recognition sets great expectations and provides motivation as I continually look forward to pursuing opportunities to serve others through consistent leadership and commitment."

“Andrew has been a great addition to our team," says Laura Peterson, Syngenta head of Federal Government and Industry Relations. "He is focused on our customers’ needs and is already making a real difference in shaping the future of agriculture. He certainly meets the requirements to be recognized for the AgGrad 30 Under 30 Awards.”

“As the agriculture industry transforms, the need for talent is accelerating,” says Janette Barnard, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at DecisionNext. “Innovative leaders who challenge the status quo, think long term and build people are what this industry needs. It’s exciting to recognize the young people who embody these qualities with AgGrad 30 Under 30.”

"We are very excited to recognize our first class of AgGrad 30 Under 30 winners,” says Tim Hammerich, Founder of AgGrad. “These 30 individuals are at the forefront of agriculture and will one day be the leaders in agribusiness, innovation and technology, education and advocacy, entrepreneurship, and production.”

AgGrad was established in 2015 with the mission of “helping young professionals find their place in modern agriculture.” The company accomplishes this mission by providing a job board, blog posts, career profiles, “AgGrad Live” (a Facebook Live show), daily snapchat stories, and a weekly podcast called the “Future of Agriculture.” All is provided at zero cost to students and young professionals and supported by participating agribusinesses.

For more information about AgGrad 30 Under 30, please visit the website: 30under30.ag.