The People Business
Andy Brown
LSU Ag Leadership Class XVII
If I had to say what business I am in, I’d tell you I’m in the people business. As an expert in the field of people, I’d say LSU Ag Leadership Class XVII is now ripe for the roast (coffee pun intended).
From my junior year in high school until now, I’ve known three things: I love people, I love agriculture, and I love policy. Those three basic principles answered a simple question my parents proposed to me when directing me on what I should pursue in my career and life ahead. They asked and then suggested “what are you passionate about? Do something in that.”
Seventeen years later, I continue to see how those passions have led me right to where God intended for me to be. It just so happens today that led me to a mountain top covered in coffee plants. It is one of the most beautiful places I can ever remember being. I continue to be so thankful that following my passion and purpose is affording my family and I experiences like these. It made it so much sweeter to be able to experience all of these sites with ‘mi amorcito’ (my wife Kayla).
I didn’t apply for Ag Leadership for the travel, however. In fact, it’s the part I’ve labored over the most. My job requires more days of travel from late November through early March than I spend at home. So rather than dream of this exotic trip, I sought this coveted spot in this program to accelerate my indoctrination into Louisiana agricultural people far quicker and more meaningful than I could do on my own. That has turned out to be a great decision.
La. Farm Bureau National Affairs Coordinator and member of Class XVII Andy Brown strapped on a basket Costa Rican style to pick coffee fruit at Doka Estate Coffee Farms.
Much like the farming we have heard about in Panamá and Costa Rica, and like the Louisiana farmers I get to represent back home, this crop has not come easy. Class XVII will go down as the longest term class ever in 35 years of the program due to a pause for COVID-19. We have seen other adversity as well with members of my class changing jobs, suffering set backs in their crops, or personal experiences that make completing this class a challenge.
But much like the coffee I learned about today at Doka Estate Plantation, sometimes stress and longevity produces a sweeter and more rare fruit.
I believe my classmates are, and will continue to be, a high value crop of agriculturalists for years to come, much like the coffee I witnessed at Doka.
I’ve seen shy members become public speakers. I’ve seen loud members learn political tact. Others have opened their horizons. While some have seen truths about other parts of ag they were sure they had all figured out.
No matter the variety of class member, I think they all have their place in the grinder that makes Louisiana ag’s future a sweet house blend. The process of this class has refined myself and my class members to peel back the pulp, slime, and parchment to reveal a really rich group.
LSU Ag Leadership Class XVII enjoyed the coffee and excellent display of agritourism at Doka Estate Coffee Farm.
There’s one other part of this program that deserves mention: Dr. Bobby Soileau. Our fearless leader has his own challenges in life, but often puts those aside to make sure this class is of the highest standard. As a servant to an organization, a heavy traveler, and a subject of judgement of volunteer leaders - I think I can relate best to Dr. Soileau of all my class members in many ways. Because of those similarities and our shared passion to serve others, I want to send Dr. Soileau and his family a heartfelt thank you for all they sacrifice so that class members, like me, and all of Louisiana benefit well into the future. Thank you Dr. Soileau!
And to cement my sincerity to him, I will conclude by sharing what I’ve gained the most from the program. He often asks big picture, opened ended questions like that. So here you go Doc:
As a servant leader, it is easy to sometimes feel just as that: a servant. I pour my heart into what I do to try and achieve wins for others. While I’m blessed to have seen advancement and success because of this in my career, the day to day grind of working for someone else’s gain can honestly get discouraging. I am coming out of the LSU Ag Leadership Program, however, with much more contentment and confidence that I’m doing exactly what I am called to be. This program has allowed me to flex my gifts and be praised by my peers for the skills I bring to their operations. These aren’t just acquaintances sharing these endorsements for my skills anymore; these are my friends. I’ve gained 23 friends, the rarest of crops.
So let’s get back home and get to work. Maybe it’s just the espresso talking, but I am energized to soon be an alumnus of this program and see the bountiful and sustainable harvest that is Class XVII for years to come. From a Hail State guy until the day I die, I’ve never been more proud to soon be a little bit Tiger.