NAFB Blog

By Jessica Wesson

Southern Illinois native Madilyn Hoock grew up immersed in agriculture—from heritage poultry breeding and farmers markets to launching a social media brand for her family’s hobby farm, Richland Creek Acres. Now, as the strategic communications manager at HLK, she’s bringing that same passion for rural storytelling and advocacy to the professional world.

Stacey Swain, brand coordinator for Helena Products Group, recently finished the Thad Cochran Agricultural Leadership Program—a two-year intensive leadership development initiative hosted by Mississippi State University.

Swain, a Mississippi native and graduate of Mississippi State’s communications program, didn’t originally envision a future in agriculture.

By day, Lauren Riensche is the marketing lead & portfolio manager at Certis Biologicals.

By night—especially in the fall—she transforms into the host of the Cedar Falls Ghost Tour, a historical walking tour that’s equal parts storytelling, community engagement and spooky fun.