When people picture a dairy farmer, they often imagine someone in the barn before sunrise or driving equipment through the fields. But dairy farming includes far more than the work most people see. For Allie Wise of Foresight Farms, a dairy farmer in northeast Iowa, the journey to the farm looked different than many might expect. Her story shows that there isn’t just one path to dairy farming, and that the experiences gained along the way can become some of a farmer’s greatest strengths.
Raised on a cow-calf and row crop farm in southern Iowa, Allie always knew agriculture would be part of her future. After earning a degree in agronomy from Iowa State University, she spent much of her career working off the farm before returning full-time to her husband’s family dairy in 2025. Looking back, she wouldn’t change anything.
“I always tell young women it’s okay to take the scenic route,” she said. “We often think we have to land our dream job right away, but every opportunity teaches you something. Work hard, stay humble, and trust that even if your path zigzags, you’ll end up where you’re supposed to be.”
Today, her contributions to the dairy go beyond traditional farm work. She remains involved in crop production while overseeing monthly cattle and financial reporting, helping guide business decisions that keep the operation moving forward. Her work may not always involve working directly with the cows or operating machinery, but she knows every skill set plays an important role.
“Being a farmer can look different for everyone,” she said. “The value you bring doesn’t have to fit someone else’s definition.”
That perspective has become even more meaningful as she balances life on the farm by raising two young children. Rather than striving for perfect balance, she focuses on being intentional with where she spends her time, recognizing that every season of life brings different priorities.
At the heart of the operation is family. The dairy is currently operated by the fifth and sixth generations, while the seventh generation is already growing up around the farm. She speaks just as proudly about the women who helped shape that legacy as the men.
She reflects on her husband’s grandmother, who served as a managing partner nearly three decades ago and played a vital role in building the dairy at its current location. She credits her mother-in-law for raising the next generation while continuing to support the farm today by feeding employees during busy seasons. Her sister-in-law, a teacher, also shares the family’s agricultural story by bringing students to the dairy to learn firsthand where their food comes from.
“It’s not always the people you see every day who have shaped the farm,” she said. “Every generation, and every family member, has contributed in their own way.”
That appreciation extends beyond her own family and into the dairy industry itself.
What continues to impress her most is the level of care and attention that goes into every decision made on the farm. From caring for cattle to managing crops and resources, she believes successful dairies are built on thoughtful management and a commitment to continuous improvement.
“Dairy farmers are incredibly detail-oriented,” she said. “Everything we do is centered around caring for our animals, caring for the land, and producing a safe, high-quality product for consumers.”
Like any farmer, she knows not everything is within her control. Weather, markets, and countless other factors can quickly change the course of a season. But agriculture has taught her one lesson she carries into every aspect of life: while you can’t control every outcome, you can always control the effort you give.
“You’re going to experience highs and lows,” she said. “But if you’re consistently putting in the effort, you’re building resilience. Over time, those small efforts make you better.”
As the International Year of the Woman Farmer celebrates women shaping agriculture around the world, her story serves as a reminder that leadership doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes it happens in the office reviewing financial reports, sometimes in the field, sometimes raising the next generation, and often in the quiet, everyday decisions that strengthen both a farm and a family.
No matter the role, every contribution helps move agriculture forward.