Agriculture has always been part of Macey Hurst’s life.

A Missouri State University alumna, Hurst grew up on a cow-calf farm in Meta, Missouri.

Now an advocate for agriculture and entrepreneur, Hurst reflects on her journey through Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Missouri State, and how the experiences she encountered prepared her well for her professional life.

Selected for the Trailblazer cohort

Last year, after a competitive application process, Hurst was one of only 10 people from across the country chosen to be part of the 2023 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trailblazer cohort.

According to its website, the Trailblazer program is developed by the NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. It promotes advocacy “by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while addressing and correcting myths.”

“The Trailblazer experience was a yearlong opportunity for us to sharpen our skills so we can be effective faces of the industry and people our industry could be proud of,” Hurst said.

She recently completed the program with a capstone event at CattleCon 2024 in Orlando, Florida. It involved participating in radio interviews, live panel discussions and recorded content for future TV broadcasts.

According to Hurst, many people in the agriculture industry do not have the opportunity to answer questions from customers about their product. So, for those who do have a chance to speak, it is important to be ready.

Where it all began

Hurst, who has degrees in agricultural communications and agricultural business from MSU, attended Fatima High School in Westphalia, Missouri. There, she was actively involved in FFA all four years.

“FFA is such an incredible organization in terms of personal development and leadership skills,” Hurst said. “The agriculture component helped me reinforce my passion for the industry and find my direction within it.”

Hurst notes her involvement in FFA influenced her choice of college degrees. Whether that was through the ag business contest team she competed on or the article about FFA she wrote for a local newspaper, Hurst gained valuable business and publication experience.

Choosing MSU

Hurst chose to attend MSU based on the welcome she received when she visited campus.

“It was just so different than any other campus visit I had done. The way MSU totally brings you in and makes you feel welcome was defining for me,” she said.

During her first visit, she sat down with assistant professor Dr. Christine Sudbrock to discuss classes she would be taking. That conversation changed her career path when Sudbrock encouraged her to pursue her interest in communications.

“I’m so grateful she said that because it had not occurred to me I could make a career out of liking to talk and write about cows, but it totally worked. She was right,” Hurst said.

A positive Ag Bear experience

Hurst notes she loved her time at Missouri State, especially being part of the Darr College of Agriculture.

“We used to call Karls Hall ‘Karls High’ because it was a close-knit group of people. The professors knew exactly who we were and what we were studying,” she added.

Hurst adds the college gave her confidence to move forward as a professional.

“There were so many great groups to be a part of and places where you could connect with professionals who could help you take your career to the next level,” she said.

Besides focusing on her studies, Hurst was involved in MSU Collegiate Cattlemen’s Board, the Collegiate Farm Bureau team and the Ag Communicators of Tomorrow.

She advises current and future Ag Bears to maximize every opportunity and never be afraid to ask questions.

“Often, we can fall into the norm of life and just take the circumstances we’re given when in reality, there may be a better opportunity we could take advantage of if we would simply ask,” she said.

Finding her groove at Modern Litho

After graduating from MSU in December 2019, Hurst began working as chief editor of a cattle magazine. Its printer was Modern Litho, a commercial printing company based in Jefferson City.

Hurst was able to get to know the team at the company, so when they reached out with a job offer, she already felt a connection to them.

Hurst now works at Modern Litho as an account executive. She handles sales directly with clients to meet their printing needs.

“I wasn’t really looking for another opportunity, but when you invest in yourself as a professional and also in your network, it can pay off tremendously,” she said.

While she did not know anything about the printing business at the time, she “loved talking to people and working alongside organizations to help them find communications and marketing solutions.”

Hurst enjoys being part of the Modern Litho family and working with her customers.

“I love being a resource to them. Prior to being an employee, I was a customer, so I understand both sides of it,” she said.

The start of an entrepreneurial effort

A setback in Hurst’s personal life – the split of her parents – caused the ranch life she knew to come to a halt.

But amidst the struggle, Hurst, her sister and her mom took a leap of faith to create a farm of their own. Lady Livestock Company started in 2017 with a herd of 40 registered Black Angus cows and a pair of bulls.

“We knew this was something we were really passionate about, and we wanted to keep going despite the circumstances,” Hurst said.

One of the biggest lessons they have had to learn is how to work together efficiently and how to find their individual place in the business.

“While I’d love to be at the farm all the time, my busy schedule usually keeps me from it. But I do get to spend a lot of time having conversations with journalists and podcasters where I get to share our story,” Hurst said.

An empowering push for Hurst and her family to start the business was the ability to be the decision makers as women.

“Agriculture really is for everyone,” Hurst said. “I love that this gets to be part of our story just as women business owners in the cattle industry.”

What Hurst has learned through the Trailblazer program has benefited the business. She has been able to communicate with her customers more effectively.

While running a business is not easy, a big motivation for the Lady Livestock crew is the supportive family, friends and neighbors around them who help them to keep going despite their big undertaking.

In the future, Hurst plans to continue her passion of sharing the ag story through Lady Livestock Company and a herd of her own with her fiancé, Luke.

A big lesson

Reflecting on all she has experienced thus far in the agriculture world, Hurst believes the biggest lesson she has learned is the consumer and producer are ultimately on the same team.

“There’s this perspective that the consumer and producer are on opposing sides,” Hurst said. “But at the end of the day, what we all want is a healthy environment and good quality, cost effective beef.”

Hurst would like to see less combativeness and more open discussions between the two sides.

“Agriculture is like this great puzzle and every person who has a stake in agriculture is a piece of that puzzle, including consumers,” she said. “No matter what food you’re eating or what diet you follow, you depend on agriculture, and we as producers depend on you.”