Women in Agriculture: Shaping the Future
March 20, 2025
Each year on October 12, we pause to celebrate National Farmer’s Day. It’s a time to recognize the men and women who feed the world, care for the land, and keep rural communities strong. For many, farming isn’t just an occupation, but a calling, often passed down from one generation to the next.
Few families embody that heritage as deeply as the Cornelius family of Bellevue, Iowa. Brothers James and Will Cornelius are the sixth generation to work the land and raise livestock on their family farm, Cornelius Land & Cattle, which was established in 1871.
Growing Up in Agriculture
Both James and Will share that their inspiration to farm came naturally. As Will put it, “Growing up in the family business, farm life was something I enjoyed. So I was happy to have the opportunity to join it right after college.”
James echoes that sentiment, describing how agriculture became part of his identity: “Growing up in agriculture gets you rooted in it, and after you can see what you have produced each year, you feel the accomplishment. The culture of farmers is contagious.”
It’s a culture defined by care for the land, kindness to neighbors, and a shared commitment to producing food for the world.
Life on the Farm
On any given day, you’ll find the Cornelius brothers balancing a wide range of responsibilities. Their operation includes seed corn, soybeans, commercial corn, oats, hay, and a 300-head cow-calf herd.
Some days, the cab of a planter, sprayer, or combine serves as James’ “office.” Other days are spent planning, preparing, and adapting to the demands of the season. And just when the work begins to feel repetitive, a new season brings fresh challenges and opportunities.
As Will says, “Days vary with the seasons and the weather, which is part of what I enjoy. Each day can be different than before.”
Lessons in Resilience
Like all farmers, the Cornelius family has faced challenges from fluctuating commodity prices to drought and disease. Will shares a lesson that many in agriculture come to learn. “The biggest lesson in my mind is not to get too worked up over the things you can’t control and do what you can to mitigate the damage with the things you can control.”
James adds that producing specialty crops and diversifying the operation helps mitigate risk, especially when markets are unpredictable.
Looking Ahead
Both brothers see opportunities in agriculture’s future, especially with the advent of new technologies. Still, they also recognize the need for more young people to join the industry.
James notes, “No one lives forever, so we have to keep bringing new people into agriculture. Fresh ideas are important. They can help us stick with the traditions that work while also moving forward. The future will have lots of opportunities, and the next generation’s ideas will help.”
Will agrees, pointing out that agriculture provides not only a career path, but also invaluable life lessons: “Agriculture teaches great values to young people and helps them understand how the world really works.”
The Heart of Rural Community
Beyond crops and cattle, farming has always been about community. James reflects on what makes rural life so meaningful. “People wave even if you don’t know who is in the oncoming vehicle. People help each other out when in need, and there is an aura of safety and honesty that you can’t find in too many other places.”
It’s a way of life that the Cornelius family is proud to continue and a reminder of why National Farmers Day matters.
A Trusted Partner in Agriculture
Just as the Cornelius family relies on trusted advisors to guide their farm, Ag Printers is honored to serve as a reliable partner for their seed business. As James shared, “Ag Printers has supplied us with package labeling as well as our product guide. This helps mitigate my stress as they make sure all the legal wording that needs to be included is included.”
For families like the Corneliuses, and for so many others across the country, agriculture is a proud legacy. This National Farmer’s Day, we celebrate their commitment, resilience, and the generations who continue to make farming a way of life.
Ag Printers is part of the SDI Innovations Family of Brands. Built upon the need for compliance and marketing within the seed industry, we started in 2005 and have been helping our clients fashionably succeed ever since.
