On this episode of Dirt and Bull, we sit down with Alecia Stuaan for a candid look at what it really means to build a career in agriculture as a woman who grew up in the thick of it. Raised on a 2,500 acre row crop and livestock operation in southern Iowa, Alecia didn’t just grow up around farming, she lived every inch of it. Welding at ten, planting at twelve, running the combine at seventeen, she entered the industry with a depth of experience that most people never see. But as she shares, knowing your stuff doesn’t stop the stereotypes from coming. It just means you’re ready when they show up.

Alecia walks through her transition from seed sales to precision ag technology to her current role in marketing for one of the largest AGCO dealerships in the country. What sets her apart is exactly what shaped her, a lifetime of hands-on knowledge paired with the willingness to show up, have the hard conversations, and prove competence through clarity and authenticity. The stories she shares, from customers assuming she was selling Girl Scout cookies to being labeled “the 22 year old marketing girl” in a room full of industry professionals, highlight both the challenges and the opportunities for women in ag today.

The heart of the episode centers on a larger truth. Agriculture still leans heavily on tradition, but the industry is changing fast. Women are stepping into leadership roles across farms, dealerships, marketing teams, and technical programs, reshaping how ag communicates, innovates, and grows. Alecia explains why authenticity matters more than ever, why technology has become an equalizer in the field, and why being transparent about what you don’t know earns more trust than pretending to know it all.

Whether you’re a producer, a young woman entering the industry, or someone watching agriculture evolve from the outside, Alecia brings a grounded, honest perspective on what it takes to carve a path and help others find theirs. From mentorship to mental health to the unseen pressures farmers face, this conversation opens the door to topics that matter well beyond the field. Her message is simple and sharp, know your value, own your voice, and never let anyone dim it.