ACE student Laney Toffler receives Women in Agribusiness award
Laney Toffler, a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, recently traveled to Orlando to receive the Women in Agribusiness award and connect with industry leaders and peers, gaining insights that will shape her future in the field.
“I felt really grateful when I learned I received the Women in Agribusiness student scholarship. It was exciting to know I would be able to attend the conference in Orlando and connect with women who are making an impact in the industry,” said Laney Toffler, an Agriculture and Consumer Economics major in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
“Being sponsored by CF Industries was also incredibly meaningful because I had the chance to meet amazing people on their team and learn more about their work and initiatives," she added. "This recognition reinforced my confidence in pursuing a career in agribusiness and reminded me that there is a strong community of leaders who want to see young women succeed.”
Toffler chose ACE because of her interest in business, agriculture, and policy. She was inspired in part by her father’s work in the agricultural industry. “ACE stood out right away. It felt like the perfect mix of business, agriculture, and policy, and it gave me a chance to dive into an industry I cared about,” she said.
Since then, she has had the opportunity to study abroad in Brazil as part of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association’s Global Student Case Study Competition.
“It was an amazing opportunity to study Brazilian agriculture, especially with the evolving dynamics between Brazil and the U.S.,” Toffler said. “Our team focused on opportunities related to Sustainable Aviation Fuel and other emerging innovations that could shape the industry’s future. Being there, meeting leaders from around the world, and seeing the global side of agribusiness firsthand was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had.”
Looking ahead, Toffler plans to work in the food sector of the agribusiness industry. She currently works part-time as a marketing assistant for McCain Foods and hopes to grow into a sales or marketing role after graduation.
“My biggest piece of advice for students interested in agribusiness is to take advantage of every opportunity that gives you real industry experience,” she said. “Go to the conference, take the internship, study abroad. Those experiences have played a huge role in helping me build the skills and confidence I need to enter the workforce.”