Growing up on a farm in Indiana, Jeffrey Veenhuizen, Ph.D., developed a strong connection to agriculture and animal sciences from an early age. His family farm raised cattle, sheep and goats while also producing crops, and this upbringing led him to Purdue University to study animal sciences.
Veenhuizen was an active member of the university community. He was involved in FarmHouse Fraternity, the Purdue Student Union Board, Block and Bridle and served as president of the Interfraternity Council.
"I was proud to be from animal sciences, but I spread myself out across the university and really enjoyed it,” Veenhuizen said. “I also played music for Purdue events, receptions, and singing groups."
Music remains a large part of his life today—he has played the organ and/or piano since he was 10 years old and continues to volunteer his musical talents every weekend at church. He and his wife had a wedding service, playing music at weddings together for 20 years.
Jeffrey Veenhuizen’s passion for music continues to shine through his beloved piano, a testament to his lifelong dedication to the art. After earning his bachelor's degree from Purdue in 1981, Veenhuizen pursued a master's and doctoral degree in nutritional physiology at Iowa State University.
Veenhuizen’s career began in research, where he specialized in carbohydrate metabolism, particularly in dairy cattle. This foundation in animal sciences opened doors to a variety of opportunities, leading him to a career spanning 31 years at Monsanto, where he held 18 different roles.
"I started out as an animal scientist. I loved it, I loved animals and I loved science,” Veenhuizen said. “But that was five years of my 31 years with the company. The rest of it was contributing in ways that my heart and opportunities led me to."
His early work focused on biotechnology, particularly in making animal growth and feed utilization more efficient. Over time, he transitioned from laboratory work to project management, quality assurance, corporate leadership and then Operations Lead for all of R&D.
"One of my messages to any student or professional is ‘You go where your heart is,’” Veenhuizen said. “You get educated to get started, and sometimes you find exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life. But most of the time, you start discovering new things that are important to you, and you follow your heart."
Veenhuizen’s diverse experiences within a large corporation gave him a broad perspective on the industry.
"I worked in quality assurance for 10 years, then I traveled the world in manufacturing, helped start manufacturing plants and later transitioned from animal science to crop science,” Veenhuizen said. “I did regulatory work, managed personnel, developed communications strategies and mentored employees. By the end of my career, I was Chief of Staff in Monsanto’s Global Regulatory sector, helping oversee a team of 5,000 people."
His passion for mentoring led him to run Monsanto’s mentoring program for the last decade of his career, helping employees develop their skills and careers.
"One of the most satisfying things was helping other people grow in their careers,” Veenhuizen said. “In the big picture, each of us is only in the workplace for a short time. Agriculture will continue long after we’re gone. Helping train the next generation is what really matters."
As a dedicated alum, Veenhuizen hosted several tours and dinners at the St. Louis Monsanto Corporate Center for ANSC alumni and students. A key message was that friendships and connections within Purdue Animal Sciences cross generations.
During Monsanto’s merger with Bayer, Veenhuizen played a crucial role on the executive transition team, working to integrate two major companies.
"When companies merge, they have different philosophies, processes and procedures,” Veenhuizen said. “It’s a lot of work, and our job was to make it work."
Throughout his career, Veenhuizen’s contributions to agriculture and regulatory science were recognized with numerous awards, including the Purdue College of Agriculture’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the Purdue Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Mid-Career Award and the Book Harmon Leadership Award. Despite the accolades, he remains humble.
"I never worked for awards, but receiving them meant that I made a difference to someone,” Veenhuizen said. “That’s what really matters."
After spending three years leading the transition, he decided it was time for a new chapter and retired.
Veenhuizen credits his longevity at Monsanto to job satisfaction, meaningful work and the opportunities he was given.
"I was able to do what I was good at, and I enjoyed it,” Veenhuizen said. “I always tell people ‘If you can’t contribute and make a difference, why go to work?’"
Veenhuizen often returns to Purdue to speak with students, sharing his insights on careers in agriculture and the importance of being open to new opportunities.
"Your career will evolve in ways you never expected,” Veenhuizen said. “Stay open-minded, be willing to grow and find what truly makes you happy. That’s the key to a fulfilling career."
Retirement has given Veenhuizen the opportunity to dedicate more time to his passions. He and his wife have spent over 25 years cultivating their botanical garden, which features 13 distinct gardens across their eight-acre property.
"Every year, we plant about 3,000 annuals,” Veenhuizen said. “My wife is really good at garden design, and I focus on the planting. Together, we then enjoy the flowers and the bird watching every day."
