From Amateur MMA Fighter to Seed Sales: Tracy Neis Joins Dairyland Seed
BY Dairyland Seed Marketing Team
Tracy Neis, a Kansas native with deep agricultural roots, joins Dairyland Seed as the new District Sales Manager for Southeast Minnesota. Her journey from the family farm to this role showcases a blend of hands-on experience, academic prowess, and a unique competitive spirit.
Growing up on a farm in Eudora, Kansas, Tracy developed an early appreciation for agriculture. “Our family farm focuses on a cow-calf operation and a corn and soybean rotation, managed by my father and two uncles,” Tracy explains. Tracy’s agricultural foundation is rooted in 4-H and FFA, where her leadership skills blossomed as she served as president.
This early exposure led Tracy to Kansas State University, where she specialized in international trading U.S. commodities. However, a summer internship as an agronomy scout revealed a passion. “I found that what I liked is the farmer-seller relationship,” Tracy shares.
After graduation, Tracy joined Corteva’s Associate Territory Manager program, starting in Amarillo, Texas. “I got my first taste of looking at silage and dairy farms there,” she notes. Her next stop was Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked with the digital team on precision agriculture and product placement.
Tracy’s enthusiasm for her new role is evident. “We just wrapped up the books for the 2024 season and are now looking ahead to 2025,” she explains. Her current focus involves getting to know her customers and examining products in the field. “This is the best time of year to look at products when they’re in the ground,” Tracy emphasizes.
What sets Tracy apart is her agricultural experience and her unique background in competitive sports. She was an amateur MMA fighter in college, training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing. “It really sculpted me into a better, more mature person,” Tracy reflects. “It’s very humbling to get pummeled in the face and come back the next day ready for more.”
After a near-fatal accident ended her fighting career, Tracy channeled her competitive spirit into CrossFit and Strongman competitions. Tracy’s goal in Strongman competitions this year is to throw two steel boxes attached at the end of a bar weighing 310 pounds and add, “I tell my guys, I can help move seed bags because I need the practice.”
Tracy loves the family-oriented culture at Dairyland Seed. “Dairyland Seed has a very close-knit community culture,” she observes. “Everyone within the company, whether in Michigan, North Dakota, Indiana, or Minnesota, is willing to help. I feel a lot of connectivity and family-oriented values here.”
Midwest farmers can look forward to working with a District Sales Manager who understands the technical aspects of seed sales and embodies the hard work, determination, and resilience that are hallmarks of successful farming. Tracy Neis’s arrival at Dairyland Seed marks an exciting new chapter for the company and promises fresh perspectives and energetic support for the agricultural community in Southeast Minnesota.