It Started with a Pumpkin

Kylie Saathoff professional headshot

Name: Kylie Saathoff

Hometown: Manteno, IL

Major: Agribusiness

Minor: Crop Science

Certificate(s): AgleadPro, Collaborative Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Why did you come to Purdue: My visit with LeeAnn Williams played a huge role in my decision. Even though Purdue’s College of Ag reputation speaks for itself, LeeAnn made me feel like this is a place where I would have opportunities to be successful, find my place and be supported by an amazing department every step of the way.

Favorite Purdue tradition: Taking pictures at the arch

Saathoff with friends on the beach

Top three influences at Purdue:

  1. Amazing mentors that I have had through my internships
  2. All of the Ag Econ Department: advisors, Envoy team, peers and professors pushing me to be the best version of myself and having fun along the way
  3. The experiences and leadership opportunities that have pushed me outside of my comfort zone
Top five memories of your time at Purdue: 
  1. The fun times had on the back porch of AΤ
  2. People met, and memories made on study abroad trips
  3. Campus Crawl tradition with my friends
  4. The day of the solar eclipse and championship game
  5. Football tailgates with my family and friends
Places you have been as a Purdue student: 
  • Study Abroads: Costa Rica and Italy
  • AFA Institutes: Denver, CO, Sacramento, CA, Chicago, IL
  • MACA Young Leader Scholarship Program: Omaha, NE
  • Spring Break with friends: Florida
  • Away football games: Iowa and Illinois

Saathoff with Envoys at the ag econ cookout 

Favorite club/organization: Ann Tweedale Cooperative and the entire Cooperative system

Favorite student-led event: Ag Council Moonlight Pancake Breakfast

Favorite Purdue event: Grand Prix Week

Favorite place on campus: Mackey Arena and Rawls Hall

Favorite thing about CoA: The people. They make such a big campus feel close-knit, and I appreciate being surrounded by driven individuals who share similar values. It is inspiring to see everyone work hard and celebrate each other’s success.

Favorite class: AGRY 105: Crop Production

Favorite professor: Dr. Lee Schweitzer

Saathoff with friends in front of balloon arch Saathoff with friends in front of fountain

Class you are excited to take your senior year: AGEC 365: Agribusiness Entrepreneurship

Three biggest accomplishments at Purdue: 

  1. Being a Top 5 Ag Econ Junior Student
  2. Landing three internships that I have loved
  3. Leaving here with the best support system of mentors and friends that have turned into family

Something about you that is not listed on your resume: In high school, I had a pumpkin business, which is part of what made me want to go the agribusiness route. 

Future plans: After graduation, I will begin my career as a Corteva Crop Protection Associate Territory Manager, where I will gain valuable experience in agronomy, sales, and building relationships with growers. My long-term goal is to bring that experience back to my family’s Pioneer Seed Agency, Saathoff Seeds, and continue the family business while helping farmers in our community plant solutions and yield success.

Advice for underclassmen: Don’t rush your time here; even though college isn’t cheap, the memories, relationships and lessons that come out of your time here are invaluable.

The biggest takeaway from Purdue: You get out what you put in, so work hard and make the most of every opportunity. Everyone you meet and every situation you encounter has something to teach you, and those lessons have helped me grow personally and professionally.