Truterra President Keeps Farmers at the Forefront of Sustainable Ag

Jamie Leifker believes sustainability and profitability go hand in hand  
 
Growing up in southwestern Wisconsin, Jamie Leifker spent a lot of time playing basketball. But when he wasn’t on the court, he was working on local farms baling hay or taking care of livestock. 
 
“Even though I grew up in town, the local farmers were good to me because I was willing to work—and I took an interest in what they were doing and how they were doing it,” he remembers. “And that interest followed me into high school, FFA, college and my first job in the crop inputs business.” 
 
Flash forward 25 years: Jamie is now president of Truterra, a sustainability business that creates new opportunities for farmers and retailers by helping them adopt agronomic, economic and environmentally sound practices.  

Jamie and his family, including his wife, Catari, and his sons Jack, Jonah and Max, own a corn and soybean farm in northeast Iowa. They purchased the operation a decade ago from one of the farmers Jamie worked for in his first job, and they continue to work together today. 
 
“Together we’ve been transitioning to less tillage and working in cover crops,” Jamie said. “I’m on the sustainable ag journey myself, right alongside the farmers who work with Truterra. It keeps me grounded.”  
 
Working towards an outcome that benefits all 
Throughout his career in agriculture, Jamie has worked in everything from sales and ag tech to agronomy and product development. But his end goal has always been the same—to deliver farmer-focused solutions through retail.  
 
“My background has prepared me for this moment: to help shape the future of sustainable agriculture and work towards an outcome that benefits everyone—ag retailers, CPG companies, manufacturers—and especially the farmer,” Jamie said. “With Truterra, we’re showing that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.” 
 
Collaboration is key to success, he believes. Truterra programs are delivered through its network of local ag retailers and member cooperatives, who are often farmers’ trusted advisors. They share their agronomic and animal science knowledge to help farmers make practice changes. 
 
“As a farmer myself, I understand the challenges livestock and crop producers face—and the value that ag retailers and member cooperatives bring to support farmers production efficiency on their sustainability journey,” Jamie said. 

Looking to start your conservation journey? Contact your Truterra network provider and fill out the pre-enrollment form at truterraag.com/enroll to get started today.