Deanna Kovar’s journey from an 800-acre farm playground to the presidency of John Deere’s worldwide agriculture and turf division is a testament to the evolving landscape of agriculture and the role of women within it. Growing up on a third-generation dairy farm, Kovar’s childhood was filled with the cyclical beauty of farm life—apple and cherry blossoms in spring, grapes ripening in fall, and snowmen built by her father’s front loader in winter. Yet, it wasn’t until her university years that she fully embraced her agricultural roots.
At the University of Wisconsin, Kovar initially pursued an ag business degree due to a scholarship requirement, but she soon found her place among other farm kids in the Association of Women in Agriculture. This sense of belonging set her on a path toward a career in ag tech, which she began in 1999. Today, she stands as a prominent figure in a male-dominated field, acutely aware of the gender disparity within the broader tech sector.
Kovar’s experience highlights a unique aspect of ag tech: being a farm kid is an equalizer. Growing up in a farming environment, she had to perform many of the same tasks as her brothers, preparing her for the challenges she would face in her career. Early on, she sometimes had to work harder than her male colleagues to gain customers’ respect and trust. Now, as a leader, she aims to bring more women into ag tech, fostering opportunities and camaraderie among women in the field.
The implications of Kovar’s story and efforts are significant. Agriculture faces pressing challenges, such as sustainability and productivity, with shrinking land and labor shortages. To tackle these issues, the industry needs the best and brightest minds, regardless of gender. By encouraging more women to join and stay in ag tech, Kovar is not only promoting gender equality but also advocating for a more inclusive and innovative approach to solving global agricultural problems.
Moreover, her story underscores the importance of early exposure and education in shaping career paths. Kovar’s initial reluctance to pursue an ag-related degree changed when she found a community that welcomed and supported her. This highlights the need for educational institutions and companies to create inclusive environments that foster a sense of belonging and open doors to careers in agriculture and technology.
In essence, Deanna Kovar’s journey and her current efforts at John Deere serve as an inspiring example of how personal experiences can drive professional success and industry-wide change. Her story is a call to action for more inclusivity and diversity in ag tech, ensuring that the sector can effectively address the complex challenges it faces.