Julie K. Deering (B.S., Agricultural Communication, 2005) has been named a 2025 Purdue Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication Distinguished Alumnus.
Deering manages her own full-service communications business, which specializes in media relations, issues management, and content creation across print and digital channels, as well as conferences and events. She and her husband also own and operate Nature’s Plow where they raise sheep and cattle, with an emphasis on heifer development and providing high-quality protein options to consumers with a great experience. As part of this venture, the Deerings opened a storefront late last year in Montgomery City, Missouri, to sell their farm-raised meat and all things Missouri made.
Julie K. Deering (B.S., Agricultural Communication, 2005) manages a full-service communications business, operates Nature's Plow with her husband, and continues her work with the U.S. Soybean Export Council. With the spirit of a creative and a focus on serving others, Deering is known for continually raising the bar and bringing pragmatic solutions to the table while stretching those she works with. She’s an experienced editor, writer, and speaker in agriculture. She doesn’t shy away from board rooms or helping CEOs find their voice in the form of speeches, columns, or managing their social presence. This mom and pork producer converted cattlewoman has spent the better part of two decades covering or working on behalf of the seed industry, agribusiness and farmers.
As the Senior Communications Manager (2020-2022) and then as Consultant (2022-present) for the U.S. Soybean Export Council, she co-led the first global omni-channel marketing campaign in 64 countries and across eight languages, spotlighting the advantages of using U.S. soy over soy of other origins. Through experiential marketing, she led the creative direction in bringing grain bins and soybean fields of the Midwest to the heart of New York City for Soy Connext, the global soy summit.
In prior roles, Deering was senior content manager for HighQuest Partners’ Agribusiness Division, editor and editorial director of Seed World, Seed World Pro, and Germination (2014-2020). Here, she transformed what was a competitive media property into the premier news and information outlet for the seed industry.
According to Owen Newlin, retired senior vice president and director of what was Pioneer Hi-Bred International: “If it wasn’t published in Seed World, it didn’t happen” — this just might be her biggest compliment when it comes to news, editorial content and accuracy.
Deering launched a thought-leadership platform known as INSIDERS, generating more than $500,000 of additional revenue, introduced the first Seed World Media webinar series, which turned into a regular feature, and managed industry relationships with key partners and seed associations around the world. When COVID-19 hit, she led the buildout of the first fully digital event for the International Seed Federation.
At Farm Journal (2012-2014), she served as managing editor of Top Producer magazine, the leading farm business publication for 160,000 farm executives who are responsible for the bulk of U.S. farm products sold and the purchase of nearly 80 percent of all farm inputs.
Prior to joining the Farm Journal content team, she lived in northern Virginia and served as director of communications for the American Seed Trade Association (2010-2012), leading all communications to the more than 500 members spanning row and field crops to vegetables and flowers, navigating issues such as modern breeding techniques, how products move off-patent, state and federal proposed non-GMO labeling laws, PVP rights, and phytosanitary requirements.
An Indiana native and farm girl at heart, Deering said she thrives in the world where agriculture and communications intersect. She is the youngest person to serve as president of the American Agricultural Editor’s Association (now the Agricultural Communicators Network, ACN). She serves as chair of the ACN Professional Improvement Foundation’s Board of Trustees. In 2024, Deering chaired the 20th Ag Media Summit, the largest annual conference of agricultural communicators in the United States, providing opportunities for networking and professional development. This year, she served as co-chair and program chair of the Ag Media Summit.
Locally, she serves on the Callaway-Montgomery Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors, having just earned the position of co-treasurer. At church, she teaches Kids for Jesus and Vacation Bible School.
At home, she and her husband Mike Deering are raising three young children. The “why” question keeps her sharp and continually evaluating what we do and how we do it with a critical lens. She’s a natural strategist, and if you can’t tell, she’s always up for an adventure.
“None of this would be possible without the support and love of my husband Mike Deering, my parents Jim and Kay Douglas, and siblings Lora Nigh, Katie Bailey, James Douglas, and Leanne Toliver, and many friends, neighbors, colleagues, and mentors,” Deering said.
