Former John Deere executive shares insights on careers and importance of diversity

by Sarah Woodhurst, posted March 18, 2010

The university's first African American agricultural economics graduate to work for John Deere, shared stories and advice with students in Joe Parcell’s Agricultural Marketing Systems class earlier this semester.

Just like about half of the students in the Agricultural Marketing Systems class, Joel English did not grow up on a farm. English lived in Indianapolis until he was about 15 and then transferred to a high school in Kansas City. After spending his first two years of college at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, English decided it was time to leave home and begin life on his own.

English came to the University of Missouri campus with an interest in economics. After meeting with advisers, English realized that he belonged in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Ken Schneeberger, assistant dean and professor of agricultural economics, was a part of the faculty when English attended MU. During English’s senior year, Schneeberger was one of three faculty members who were actively promoting the effort to recruit more minority students, so Schneeberger got to know him well.

“From soon after his graduation until the present, Joel has been appreciative of the opportunity that his education in agricultural economics gave him,” Schneeberger said. “He has demonstrated his appreciation by coming to give class lectures, encouraging our Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) efforts, facilitating internships with John Deere and assisting in getting John Deere to participate in the Dickinson Scholars program.”

After graduating, English began work in a regional John Deere office in Kansas City. Because of the different products that English was in charge of marketing and selling from 1974 to now, English emphasizes the importance of being able to adjust to changing times and changing economies.

“In 36 years, a lot of things have changed,” English said. “One thing that’s stayed the same is that people have to eat. It’s not that man is smarter than nature; man just needs to help nature along. We have to figure out better ways, smarter ways to harvest our food.”

Students in Parcell’s class agreed with English, and English answered questions from students about this subject.

“Joel has been thoughtful to keep us informed where he was and what he was doing, so we knew how to contact him for assistance in placing interns or graduates with John Deere,” Schneeberger said.

English recently retired from John Deere after 35 years. It would be incorrect to say that he has stopped working, however, because he now owns and operates his own consulting business in Kansas City.  As far as tips to succeeding, English believes that it is important to always keep an open mind.

“You will have to continue learning,” he said. “Don’t ever think that you have it all figured out.”

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