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Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics

CFAES

AEDE grad Ken Davis selected for CFAES Professional Achievement Award

Feb. 25, 2021

Even as an undergraduate, Ken Davis had a flair for leading. Early on he got involved in The Ohio State University chapter of MANRRS, taking on a leadership role in the organization that welcomes people of all racial and ethnic groups in agricultural and related science careers. Working well with the team of officers, Ken generated new ideas and initiatives within the organization and represented Ohio State at many on and off-campus events.

Davis has been selected for a 2021 CFAES Young Professional Award and will be honored, along with 12 other various award winners, next Thursday, March 4 at 7:00pm EST via YouTube Premier. The Young Professional Achievement Award recognizes alumni for their early professional accomplishments, provides recognition for these individuals, and serves as a stimulus toward further efforts by younger alumni. Nominees are to be 35 years of age and younger at the time of receiving the award.  

Since 2008, when Davis graduated from Ohio State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness & Applied Economics, he has continued to lead. During his 12-year career, he has been a founding member of three seed companies, including GrowPro Genetics, a company in Bourbonnais, Illinois, which he co-owns and now serves as commercial director. Furthering his education in seed technology, he received a Master of Science degree from Iowa State University in 2017.

Through the years, Ken has been dedicated to encouraging young people with an interest in agriculture. His work with MANRRS during his undergraduate years gave Ken the opportunity to attend various leadership conferences and workshops. As an alumnus, he continues to support similar programs and events on an annual basis so students can reach their full potential. Ken interacts with current classes of students and has returned to campus to visit students, speding time with them challenging and inspiring them to be their best.

Active in his local Kankakee County (Illinois) Farm Bureau, Ken has been involved in growing leadership, providing educational opportunities, working with area youth, carrying out community service projects, and holding networking events. Ken’s professional ability to grow networks is a true asset in his local work with the Kankakee County Farm Bureau. He eagerly volunteers for various community outreach events to allow the non-farming public an opportunity to meet agricultural professionals and learn how technology is used in modern farming.

For his professional accomplishments, Ken received the Special Recognition Award from the LaSalle County (Illinois) Farm Bureau in 2012 for starting local field research. In 2015, Ken was the recipient of the Special Recognition by the American Seed Trade Association Program for contributions to the planning committee.

Prior to his current position at GrowPro Genetics, Ken worked for Syngenta AG as a Key Account Manager in Bourbonnais. Ken is involved with the American Seed Association Planning Committee and is an Illinois Wheat Association Sponsor.

While his professional accomplishments are significant, he considers his greatest achievement being a loving husband to his wife of three years Brittney, and a devoted father to Ethan, 3, and Kennedy, 1.

Source:

CFAES Office of Advancement

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