For as long as she can remember, agriculture has been part of Hailey Gilbreath’s life.
A Missouri State University alumna, she grew up on small cow-calf farm in Carl Junction, Missouri. She participated in stock shows and Future Farmers of America (FFA), which inspired her to work in the agriculture field.
Last December, Gilbreath joined the Kansas Beef Council (KBC) as its new director of communications.
An ag education
Gilbreath began her college career at Crowder College, where she received an Associate in Agriculture Business. After that, she transferred to Missouri State in 2017 to complete her bachelor’s degree.
Her original plan was to major in agricultural business sales, but her advisor guided her to agricultural communications so she would have more diverse career options in the future.
According to Gilbreath, the Darr College of Agriculture prepared her well for the workforce and her professional journey.
“Missouri State provided me with a strong foundation in technical skills, teaching me how to navigate platforms and produce quality work. Their guidance gave me the tools to grow, and from there, I gained valuable experience through hands-on learning and real-world practice,” she said.
Her fondest memories at Missouri State were rooted in the connections and friendships she made.
“The friendships and people I connected with have helped me down the road,” said Gilbreath, who graduated from Missouri State with a bachelor’s in agricultural communications in spring 2019.
Road to her dream job
After graduation, she explored a few endeavors before landing a job as the communications manager for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program in Lubbock, Texas, in August 2021.
Passionate about supporting farmers, she played a key role in advancing sorghum through education, research and promotion. She managed all social media platforms, wrote press releases and contributed to strategic planning for major expos, trade shows and marketing campaigns — all aimed at driving demand and increasing bushels.
“This job held a special place in my heart because of what the organization stands for, what they do and the good they can provide for the sorghum industry,” Gilbreath said.
In April 2024, she joined Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions as the marketing coordinator, where she gained valuable experience before stepping into her current role at the KBC in Topeka, Kansas — one of her dream jobs.
Promoting beef
“I’m still getting my feet wet as director of communications, but I’m loving getting to advocate for the beef ranchers of Kansas,” Gilbreath said.
She oversees all social media platforms and works to drive demand for beef to consumers across the state of Kansas and within the metropolitan area of Kansas City.
“To boost demand, we also focus on taste and education. We do that by sharing recipes, cooking methods and tips on preparing beef in different ways,” Gilbreath said.
Now that she has achieved her dream job, Gilbreath is setting goals for what more she can do for the KBC in the future.
Advocating for agriculture
Gilbreath once credited her upbringing and FFA experience for her career in agriculture. But her perspective has evolved.
“With my life experiences now, the reason I’m in agriculture and fight for it every day is because of the farmers and ranchers. They truly are the backbone of America and the reason we can keep this world turning,” she said.
She hopes to make an impact by amplifying their voices.
“Some of these farmers and ranchers are the best secret keepers of their own story. I’m honored to advocate for them. They come from all walks of life, all backgrounds, and are some of the coolest people I’ve ever met,” Gilbreath said.
When it comes to advocating for producers, she is a believer in the three Ps: premium, production and perception.
“If at the end of the day I’m driving these three Ps, then I’m doing my job and advocating for the farmers and ranchers to the best of my ability,” Gilbreath said. “That’s what lets me know if I’m making a difference in the industry.”
In addition to her full-time job, Gilbreath provides freelance communications support for Sustainable Crop Insurance Services, a crop insurance agency recognized for its outstanding customer service. She also works with a rural radio broadcaster, delivering news, updates and agricultural insights to rural communities.
Sharing advice
Based on what she has learned and experienced so far, one of Gilbreath’s biggest pieces of advice is: “Anywhere you can make a connection, make a friend.”
“As you get older and progress in your career, the world gets smaller. Everyone knows everyone — it’s like the six degrees of separation; you’re always just a couple of people away.”