REBECCA KAY AHLERS

712.540.3319 | rkahlers@gmail.com
Website: rebeccakahlers@weebly.com
22558 K49 Le Mars, IA 51031

2625 Rushmore Drive Iowa City, IA 52246

EDUCATION

Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Bachelor of Science, May 2014

Major: Agronomy Option: Agroecology

Minor: Journalism and Mass Communications

Studied Abroad: New Zealand (Agronomy/Diary Science -2 week travel course), Fall 2012

GPA: 3.99/4.0 Deans List, every semester

WORK EXPERIENCE
Emerging Leader- Production Agronomist; DuPont Pioneer, Durant, IA June 2014- present
Responsible for coordinating IPM program for approximately 6500 female seed corn acres
Detassling area assistant
Developed and maintained a Grower Newsletter
Assisted in developing user manuals for mobile field management app
Developed work instruction sheets for various field activities
Responsible for managing harvest-related field experiments at location
Theme Team Training Member and Quality Team Member at Durant Plant
Assisted Agronomy Sciences Group
o Cataloguing online agronomy library for Growing Productivity App (Release 2015)
Agronomy Sciences Intern; DuPont Pioneer Agronomy Sciences, Johnston, IA February 2012- May 2014
Responsible for managing Johnston Expo Showplots (crop scouting/tours/plot upkeep)
Co-authored Crop Insights article - Foliar Fungicide and Insecticide Use in Soybeans
Authored Field Facts - Variation in Corn Yield Across Planter Width
Authored two Crop Focuses
Two-year Pioneer Intern Grant Recipient
Assisted in helping market DuPont Pioneer Agronomy Information
o Co-editor for Growing Point Agronomy Booklets
(Growing Productivity with Innovative Research (2013) for corn and soybeans)
o Social Media (Facebook); Expanded value of Expo Plots reached 73,000 (+) people
! Created content highlight History of Corn Plots/provided in season updates with links to corresponding
agronomic information
Focus Group Assistant Moderator; Women, Food, & Agriculture Network, Ames, IA January 2013- April 2013
Assisted in developing communication brochures about conservations land practices for Iowan women landowners
Organized three focus group meetings (venue, food, logistics, worked with the budget of $100/meeting) and
invited women to attend
Kept minutes at focus group meetings
Provided suggestions from meetings on how to improve brochure
Provided content/photos for brochure (interviewed female Iowa landowner about practices she uses on her land)
Peer Mentor; ISU Agronomy Department New Student Learning Community, Ames, IA Fall 2011- Spring 2013
Assisted in teaching Agronomy 110 Orientation Class
Provided tutoring/office hours/held study sessions
Arranged service projects and socials
Mentored 40 - 50 new students in Agronomy; positive role model
Le Mars Daily Sentinel Summer Intern; LeMars Daily Sentinel, LeMars, IA May 2011- August 2011
Daily reporter (conducted interviews, photograph, copy-editor)
Wrote over 40 articles, edited photos and photo videos for website
Complied county fair results for fair summary publication
Ahlers Family Farm, LeMars, IA
Grew-up on 1200 acre corn/soybean farm; raised beef cattle
Active 9-year Plymouth County 4-H member and 4 year County Council member
Helped around the farm (harvest, chores, crop scouting)

REBECCA KAY AHLERS

712.540.3319 | rkahlers@gmail.com
Website: rebeccakahlers@weebly.com
22558 K49 Le Mars, IA 51031

2625 Rushmore Drive Iowa City, IA 52246

LEADERSHIP/ACTIVITIES
Agronomy Club: Treasurer Fall 2012- Fall 2013
o Managed $10,000-$15,000 budget
o Organized fundraising efforts and used opportunity to network with agricultural-companies
Activities Committee Chair Fall 2011- Fall 2013
o Organized Im an Agronomist Career Mixer
! Contacted companies/promoted event/oversaw planning process
o Set-up tours and planned socials
! Club Christmas party, bowling events, snow tubing, tour to Agronomy Teaching Farm
! Attended National and Regional SASES meetings
Organized club travel arrangements to/from meetings
Wilson Chapter Alpha Zeta: Chancellor Fall 2012- Spring 2014
o Presided over monthly Exec and General Meetings
o Assisted New Initiate Committee and initiation of new members
o Managed planning and hosting the 2014 National Agricultural Leadership Conference (NALC)
at Iowa State University
Censor Fall 2011- Fall 2012
o Assisted in planning Fall 2012 Banquet/banquet budget
o Oversaw 7 committees
o Obtained sponsorship for members to represent the Wilson Chapter at 2013 NALC
VEISHEA Executive Board: Parade Co-Chair Fall 2012- Spring 2013
o Recruited and organized 100 VEISHEA Parade entries
Government of the Student Body (GSB): Senate Clerk Fall 2011- Spring 2012
o Recorded/transcribed minutes
o Assisted GSB Vice President during Senate meetings
Freshmen Council: Historian Fall 2010- Fall 2011
o Transited historian book from paper to digital format
o Created a weekly electronic Freshmen Council Newsletter

AWARDS & HONORS
Outstanding Senior Agronomy Club Member Spring 2014
ASA, CSA, CSSA, and SSSA Outstanding Senior Iowa State University Spring 2014
Outstanding Junior and Senior Alpha Zeta Member Fall 2012 and Fall 2013

REFERENCES
Juan Acuna
Durant Field Operations Manger
DuPont Pioneer
554-340-8752
juan.c.acuna@pioneer.com

Dr. Mark Jeschke

Agronomy Research Manger
DuPont Pioneer
515-535-3698
mark.jeschke@pioneer.com

Dr. Richard Schultz

University Professor NREM
Iowa State University
515-294-7602
rschultz@iastate.edu