Farming Against the Grain: Melanie Netterville Beavers' Journey in Agriculture
By Keely Ana Dillon
Louisiana Farm Bureau News
In the heart of Tensas Parish, Melanie Netterville Beavers has made her mark on the agriculture industry alongside her husband Kody, working to maintain their family farm.
Melanie didn’t begin her college journey with her sights set on production agriculture. Initially, she wanted to pursue a career in media for agriculture. However, her direction changed as she realized her passion for hands-on, outdoor work.
“I told my mom for years I just want to put on my boots every day and go to work,” Melanie said.
The desire led Melanie to switch to an ag business degree and she further cultivated her passion by working on the farm at LSU, gaining experience at a research station. Her experience working in extension opened her eyes to row crop farming, and eventually, she met her husband, Kody. Their shared vision drew them together, and after their marriage, began their operation together on her family’s land.
Melanie and Kody now manage more than 3,200 acres of corn, cotton and soybeans in partnership with Jack Dailey. She is a full-time producer who is deeply involved in the daily decisions and operations of the farm.
Melanie's story is particularly significant because she is a woman in an industry that has traditionally been dominated by men. She is passionate about breaking the stigma associated with women's roles in farming.
She recounted an incident in which a visitor mistakenly assumed her husband was running the cotton picker. This is just one of many examples that depict the unconscious bias she’s found prevalent in agriculture.
“I wish that there were more women that had the camera in front of them showing that they're doing this kind of stuff because we are out there,” Melanie said. “It's just not as often.”
Melanie and Kody’s joint operation is built on complementary skills. While Kody excels in mechanics and marketing, Melanie's strength lies in agronomy. They have a true partnership and make almost every decision together. Melanie explained this leads to better outcomes as they are able to balance each other's perspectives.
“There aren’t very many decisions that get made without one of us making a phone call to the other,” Melanie said. “You never see us together on the farm. It’s more efficient that way. You know, we don't need two people to do the same job.”
The couple have a unique work dynamic, as they work separately but stay connected through constant communication. This arrangement allows them to maximize efficiency and maintain a healthy relationship.
“No day is the same,” Melanie said. “I love the unpredictable nature of farming.”
She also emphasized the constant challenges and the need for risk mitigation. Melanie’s daily life could include anything from driving equipment to managing fieldwork and everything in between. She has even worked shift work with her husband and planted crops in the middle of the night.
“We've even picked cotton that way,” Melanie said. “One night when the wind was blowing, and we could literally just pick cotton in shifts.”
Melanie said her favorite part of farming is checking the crops to see the results of their hard work. She would like to one day obtain her crop consultant license to further her expertise in this area.
She is transparent about the difficulties of farming--the long hours, financial uncertainty and the emotional toll of the work. Despite this, her love for farming has proven to sustain her.
Melanie’s story is not just about overcoming challenges; it’s a testament to her resilience and determination. She discussed the unique challenges women face in agriculture, such as the lack of facilities in the field and the physical demands of the work.
Despite the obstacles set before her, Melanie is an advocate for women in agriculture and would encourage them to pursue their passion and acknowledge the need to do things a little differently.
To hear more about Melanie’s story, click here to listen to this week’s episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, hosted by Allie Shipley.