Meet Kesley Holdgrafer​

​   ​          Hello, my name is Kesley Holdgrafer and I am a highly motivated young advocate for the agricultural industry and a communications enthusiast.  My passion for the agricultural industry began at a young age as I was raised alongside generations of production agriculturalists on a diversified grain and livestock operation along the eastern edge of Iowa. My experiences on and off the farm grew my passion for agriculture and communications, leading me to Iowa State University. I am an ambitious undergraduate at Iowa State University majoring in Agricultural Communications, Public Relations, International Agriculture.
​   ​          As a senior at Iowa State University, I continue to build upon a pristine list of accomplishments. This past summer, I was the Forage Product Marketing Intern at Vermeer, a leading manufacturer of industrial and agricultural equipment. During my time at Vermeer, I gained hands-on experience in marketing strategies, product positioning, and the creation of engaging content for various communication channels. I worked closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that our marketing efforts aligned with the company's goals and customer needs.
​   ​          The previous summer I was the Public Relations Intern at the largest agricultural agency in the world, Bader Rutter, in Milwaukee. I collaborated closely with prominent clients in the agricultural industry, including Corteva Agriscience, Pioneer, Brevant, Zoetis, and more. I crafted diverse compelling content, conducted extensive research to support PR strategies, and developed compressive client portfolios. Additionally, I authored multiple product announcements and update articles to be sent out to thousands of sale representatives. I seamlessly collaborated with numerous cross-functional teams on various projects at once to contribute to our clients’ overall success.
​   ​           My freshman year summer, I was the Iowa Beef Industry Council Communications and Marketing Intern. Through this position I played a key part in developing and implementing beef education, communication, and industry activities through the promotion of beef and various beef products. I wrote numerous press releases, created diverse social media content, designed graphics and more to market the beef industry to consumers with the goal of increasing the demand for beef. 
          Along with being extremely active with extra curriculars and excelling at a high level in my academics I have continued to write my own weekly column, Kesley's Corral, in the Iowa  Farm Bureau Spokesman Clinton County news section. This began in 2017 and for the past seven years, I have reached thousands of devoted weekly readers and have written over 350 articles. I continue to weekly write fun ag articles in my column highlighting my own experiences on the farm and sharing the story of agriculture. 
           ​ I am a self-motivated, positive, and organized individual who loves advocating for the agricultural industry. Through my experiences, I have learned how to successfully communicate and market products to audiences through oral and written communication and more. I continuously use my time management skills to meet deadlines even during hectic circumstances in a fast-paced environment. I am an extremely creative thinker, and I am always eager for a challenge to try new things to expand my knowledge. My passion has always been agriculture. No matter where the future takes me, ​my goal is to always continue to be an avid advocate for the agricultural industry. 

Work Experience 

Vermeer Corporation, Forage Product Marketing Intern, Pella, IA
​May 2024 - August 2024

●      Led content creation efforts for Vermeer’s “Makin’ Hay” online platform, authoring numerous article and blog posts to educate and engage the forage community.
●      Coordinated with producers across multiple states to gather first-hand insights, capturing customer testimonials and success stories for use in product marketing campaigns and promotional materials.
●      Played a pivotal role in the launch of the Pro G4 Balers and Mower Conditioner lineup by developing ad slicks, crafting product-focused messaging, and assisting with event planning for regional launch events.
●      Served as the chief editor for a special edition “Makin’ Hay" magazine, overseeing all aspects of content development, layout, and publication.
●      Collaborated cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners to execute integrated marketing campaigns, strengthening brand advocacy and driving business results.

Bader Rutter, Public Relations Intern, Milwaukee, WI
​May 2023 - August 2023

  • Created diverse content for three Facebook pages and Instagram, each targeting various audiences.
  • Collaborated closely with teams of prominent clients in the ag industry, including Corteva Agriscience, Pioneer, Brevant, Zoetis, and more. 
  • Authored diverse, compelling, content, including 24 articles and blogs, 12 press releases, and social media calendars, effectively promoting clients' products and initiatives. 
  • Conducted extensive, comprehensive research, to provide valuable insights and support PR strategies and campaigns. 
  • Developed and maintained comprehensive client portfolios showcasing achievements and milestones.
  • Collaborated seamlessly with the PR team and other departments on various projects and initiatives, contributing to the overall success of campaigns and events.  

Iowa Beef Industry Council, Marketing and Communications Intern,  Ames, IA
​May 2022 - August 2022

  • Created diverse content for three Facebook pages and Instagram, each targeting various audiences.
  • Assisted with the 40th Annual Iowa Governor's Charity Steer Show, raising over $400,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa
  • ​Composed effective informative press releases on IBIC events resulting in large media coverage 
  • Well-versed in diverse technology including Adobe, Canva Pro, Constant Contact, Bitly, and DJI Mimo. ​

Clinton County Iowa Farm Bureau, Writer, DeWitt, IA 
​September 2017 - Present

  • Write weekly articles, Kesley’s Corral, in the Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman Clinton County News Section. 
  • Published over 350 articles read by thousands of devoted weekly readers throughout 11 counties.
  • Produce clear, reasoned, and coherent written communication in formal and informal settings. 

Iowa FFA Association, State Officer, Ankeny, IA
April 2021 - April 2022

  • Elected to a leadership team of nine individuals that represent more than 18,500 Iowa FFA members.
  • Facilitated over 200 conferences and traveled the state and nationwide to speak to FFA chapters.
  • Presented a motivational keynote address to over 6,000 FFA members at the 94th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference.  
  • Advocated for agricultural education and rural broadband access to state and federal elected officials. ​
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Photo Courtesy of TPCreations

Holdgrafer Farms, Farmhand, Bryant IA
Seasonal

  • Work on a large, diversified grain and livestock farm raising corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and cattle.
  • Analyze and make management decisions on my own 65-acre field to continuously improve the farm's yield.
  • Analyze the role of markets, trade, competition, and price to create a marketing plan. 
  • Responsible for raising approximately 50 healthy calves from bottle to market-ready each year.
  • Provided medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations to livestock.
  • Operate heavy equipment with the latest computer and data systems including tractors, balers, combines, and grain carts. 
     

CAC Media Group, Comm. Specialist, DeWitt, IA
August 2017 - May 2021

  • Founding member of an elite media group with an ag focus that traveled across the United States hosting conferences, creating TV segments for RFD-TV, interviewing ag industry leaders, and writing pieces for magazines.
  • Hosted a weekly ag radio show that aired live every Friday morning on KCLN 1390 interviewing diverse ag industry leaders, producers, and highlighting extraordinary FFA and 4-H members.
  • ​Worked collaboratively with professional media teams across the United States hosting agricultural events and conferences, creating media posts, updating websites, and writing articles.
  • Produced a bi-weekly ag TV show, Agri-Vision, educating the public on agriculture topics, showcased youth leaders in the ag industry, interviewed ag producers, ag businesses, and government officials.
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Iowa Soybean Association SOY Squad team
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Cardinal Key Honor Society - President Dr. Wendy Wintersteen
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Iowa Corn CAT Team meeting with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds

Current Leadership Roles

  • Serving as the 2024-2025 CALS Council Representative for the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club at Iowa State. Responsible for being the lesion between the College of Agriculture and our club. 
  • Apart of the Iowa Corn Association and Iowa Soybean Association Collegiate Advisory teams. Represent Iowa State University for these commodity groups meet three times a year with the topics of discussion including, but not limited to: research, demand, policy, education, and personal/professional development.
  • Serving as the 2022-2023 Public Relations Chair for the Collegiate Cattlemen Club at Iowa State. Responsible for developing diverse content and managing all social media accounts while planning and implementing various educational conferences and industry tours.
  • Served as the 2022-2023 and serving as the 2024-2025 Public Relations Chair for the Swine Production Advocates Club at Iowa State. Responsible for designing logos, apparel, and content for all social media accounts and assisting in planning industry tours.
  • Facilitate multiple agricultural education youth conferences for the Iowa FFA Association. Effectively communicating to thousands of youth the importance of service, teamwork, leadership, and more through educational workshops. 

Highlighted
​Honors and Awards

  • Iowa State University Dean’s List, Spring & Fall 2022, Spring & Fall of 2023, Spring of 2024​
  • Cardinal Key Honor Society – Iowa State University’s most prestigious Honor Society 1/3 of 1% of all juniors get inducted
  • Iowa FFA Degree & American FFA Degree
  • Acquired over $30,000 in academic and leadership scholarships 
  • 2023 Iowa Soybean Association Rising Star
  • National FFA Proficiency Finalist, top four in the nation, in Agricultural Communications
  • 2022 Iowa FFA State Proficiency winner in the area of Diversified Agricultural Production 
  • Star over Iowa - Top 6 in Iowa in an Agricultural Placement Supervised Agricultural Experience 
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Iowa Soybean Rising Star Award Presented by Farm Credit CEO
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Iowa State University - Cardinal Key Honor Society

Previous Leadership Experiences

Previous Awards​ and Accomplishments
2021
  • ​I was elected as the 2021-2022 Iowa FFA Southeast State Vice President. Serving more than 18,500 youth members and on the board of directors.
  • I was inducted into the National Honor Society a high-honor organization. Being a part of this showcases that I exert leadership in my home, school, and community. It also showcases that I serve my community.
​2020
  • I was elected as the 2020-2021 FFA Southeast District Secretary. Responsible for facilitating various educational conferences, advocating for the district, and recording all minutes of meetings. 
  • I was elected as the 2020-2021 Northeast FFA Chapter President. In charge of all meetings administered all of the chapter's operations, provided overall direction for the chapter, and implemented policies. 
  • I was elected as the 2020-2021 Miles Maverick 4-H President. Responsible for presiding over meetings, building the meeting agenda, assures that all meetings ran orderly, and strove to ensure all members' opinions are heard. 
2019
  • I was elected as Jackson County Cattlemen's Beef Royalty for two years, serving both as county princess and then queen. With this achievement, I was better able to represent and advocate for the beef industry.
  • I was elected as the 2019-2020 Miles Maverick 4-H Secretary. Responsible for keeping all club records and ensuring all members feel included. 
2021
  • I advanced to State Speech in four events. After performing my competitive speaking events I was selected to advance to All-State, in three of my events.
  •  I was awarded the Star Farmer award in my FFA Chapter through my diverse agricultural experience of raising my own livestock and crops. 
  • Graduated high school with over 300 hours in community service projects and was number one in Silver Cord Hours. 
  • Went into my freshman year of College with over $15,000 in academic scholarships.
2020
  • Iowa FFA State Proficiency winner in agricultural communications and a National Finalist at National FFA Convention.
  • Iowa FFA District Champion in the Agricultural Broadcasting Career Development Event.
  • Iowa Youth Beef Team Diamond Point recipient with over 300 hours of beef advocacy activities. 
  • I advanced to State Speech in three events. After performing my competitive speaking events I was selected to advance to All-State, in three of my events.
​2019
  • I advanced to State Speech in four events. After performing my competitive speaking events I was selected to advance to All-State, in two of my events.
  • Iowa Youth Beef Team Diamond Point recipient with over 250 hours of beef advocacy activities. 

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Get In Touch

Looking for an ambitious advocate for the agricultural industry? A creative writer? A well-spoken communicator? Someone, to create diverse engaging content to market your product? Contact me via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Email, or phone!