By Scout Nelson
Billie Lentz, a fifth-generation farmer from Rolla, North Dakota, shares her love for farming with both producers and consumers. A 2022 graduate in agriculture economics from North Dakota State University (NDSU), Lentz uses social media to connect people with farm life.
On Instagram, she documents growing soybeans, wheat, canola, and barley while promoting the role of women in farming. She hopes her posts help people feel welcome in agriculture and encourage them to learn and ask questions.
Alongside farming, Lentz works full-time as the marketing, communications, and recruitment manager at Legacy Cooperative in Bisbee, North Dakota. The cooperative supports farmers with vital services, which Lentz finds rewarding as it helps local communities thrive.
Her leadership extends beyond work. She serves on the board of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association and is active in the American Soybean Association Young Leader Program and the Global Farmer Network.
Lentz’s journey in agriculture started at NDSU, where she gained knowledge and confidence through classes, mentorship, and hands-on experiences. She appreciates the supportive faculty who encouraged students in and out of class.
One memorable moment was a class on farm succession planning that sparked important family conversations. Lentz says this guidance helped her family plan for their farm's future.
After graduation, Lentz worked in agriculture equipment sales before returning to North Dakota, where she enjoys the community spirit and career opportunities in agriculture.
Today, she remains dedicated to promoting agriculture’s future. She highlights innovations like the Grand Farm project and NDSU’s research centres, which help North Dakota stay relevant in global agriculture.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Soybeans, Wheat, Education