LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) was one of three chapters recently selected to visit John Deere leadership at the headquarters in Moline, Ill.

MANRRS, which helps promote the advancement of members of ethnic/cultural groups underrepresented in agricultural and related sciences, is part of the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Office of Diversity.

UK MANRRS students, along with Kansas State University and Purdue University, connected with senior Deere management members to learn about the company and ask questions at what the company calls “Deere Day.” Students toured Deere’s equipment and saw what it could look like to work at the company.

Jericho Curry, now working as a business to consumer (B2C) at John Deere, is an alum of both the University of Kentucky and UK MANRRS.

“It has been a full circle moment to bring students into our headquarters, particularly from the University of Kentucky, and truly show them the life in a day at John Deere,” he said. “We are empowering the next generation of leaders and providing professional opportunities such as internships and post-graduation careers.”

When engaging with Deere leadership, UK MANRRS students received feedback on their personal brand to help them better define and promote what they stand for as an individual.

“I enjoyed meeting with key company stakeholders,” said Harrison Goode, UK MANRRS member at large. “I gained more insight on my personal brand through the roundtable discussions held with the other colleges and Deere employees. Thank you to all the Deere employees that put this event together and extended an invitation to meet our students.”

Goode has already completed two internships with Deere. He was recently offered a full-time position there following his graduation in Spring 2024.

“The Deere internship program is unique because we are given full-time employee projects to complete in a three-month span,” Goode said. “I was able to travel, connect with company leadership and coordinate high projects. I would highly recommend everyone take the opportunity to experience the intern program at John Deere.”

For UK MANRRS historian, Zaynah Shahid, Deere Day was a notable experience for the group. “I enjoyed watching my peers step out of their comfort zones, make connections and exude a lot of confidence,” Shahid said. “We discussed topics such as interview preparation, how to scout for career opportunities and interpersonal skills that will get us a foot in the door.”

Interactive events, like Deere Day, are just some of the amazing engagement possibilities through UK MANRRS.

“Having the ability to take MANRRS members on industry tours like John Deere is invaluable,” Mia Farrell, associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at Martin-Gatton CAFE, said. “Our goal in MANRRS for our members is ensuring their professional space in the agriculture and natural resources sector. Organizations, like John Deere, help us accomplish this goal by investing in our talent.”