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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES

Jacob M. Lesch

Jacob M. LeschJacob M. Lesch 

Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Agricultural Systems Management
Fredonia, NY

2021 Distinguished Senior Award Celebration Program (.pdf) 

2021 Distinguished Senior Award Recipient Poster (.pdf)

Being a part of the FABE Department field operations team has been Jacob Lesch’s most valuable learning experience. There he was able to learn the necessary states of research, from experimental design to publication, and everything in between. Jacob has been able to interact with several influential individuals in the agricultural industry, and this has taught him how to conduct himself professionally. Jacob thanks this role for teaching him many things he will use as his career develops.

Jacob considers his most rewarding experience to be his involvement with the Agricultural Systems Management Club. He gained many opportunities and friends through different events with this organization. From professional conferences to social nights, to networking with industry representatives, Jacob has been able to make an impact on the university and the community around it. This club not only bolstered his resume but also made it possible for him to help several members get excited about agriculture, as well as find a reason to do their best in everything they do.

Jacob felt his greatest sense of success when he attended the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conference. There he had the opportunity to compete in the Precision Agriculture competition and placed 1st individually in the nation! This achievement boosted his confidence, helped him build communication skills, and sharpened his resume.

He takes great pride in his internship with Corteva Agriscience, where he worked as a sales intern for their Pioneer® brand. During his time there, he was able to build his professional contact list, and gain hands-on experience in sales, agronomy, and management. Jacob also learned how to create meaningful relationships, and how to convince a new customer to meet with him and listen to what he had to say. In the process, he saw how various sales representatives conducted business. As an outsider (not from Ohio), he was able to experience a different type of agriculture and see how passionate farmers can be about their industry.

Jacob is also extremely proud to have worked part-time on Lesch Farms, his own family’s farm. It allowed him the opportunity to be more than an operator and to learn the ins and outs of a modern, profitable farming operation. This experience helped him gain a handle on precision ag technology, agronomy, and business management.

Jacob recognized Dr. Dewey Mann as his CFAES mentor. Jacob said, “Dr. Mann encouraged me to take that next leap and push myself outside of what I was comfortable with. I was able to represent the college and the university to the community with the encouragement of Dr. Mann. I also had Dr. Mann as an instructor, [and] I was able to learn a lot from his classes. If I needed help, he was more than happy to help. He provided sound career advice and life advice in general, which I will draw on for the rest of my career.”

Service, involvement, and accolades: ASM Club at Ohio State, young member chair, chair, president

Jacob Lesch - Press Release