Nebraska cattle rancher and social entrepreneur says farmers can define their own future by acting decisively.

Natalie Kovarik has a message for Iowa’s young farmers.

“Agriculture is a rewarding but challenging industry,” she says. “Those who act decisively can make their own fate.”

Kovarik operates a successful cow-calf farm in central Nebraska along with her husband, Luke, and children Tad, Jaks and Rue and is co-host of the popular podcast Discover Ag. She was the keynote speaker at the 2025 Iowa Farm Bureau Acres of Opportunity conference in Cedar Falls last month.

Kovarik shared her thoughts on the ag industry and offered participants advice on how to inspire...