Brennan Greenwell, a senior studying agribusiness management at the University of Missouri, is ready for the next chapter. After graduation, he’s moving back to his hometown in the Missouri Bootheel to work as a warehouse manager at an agricultural retail store.  

“I can’t wait to see what the next chapter of my life holds for me and my professional career,” he said.  

Exploring the agriculture industry 

Greenwell’s path to landing his first job out of college wasn’t cut and dried. He originally considered studying plant sciences, and it took a lot of learning to figure out exactly which area of agribusiness was for him. 

“The econ classes were tough starting out, and it was hard to understand it,” he said. “It was the sales classes I took that really helped me figure out this was the degree for me.” 

In high school, Greenwell worked for Mizzou’s Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center in Portageville. His time there helped him choose to pursue his undergraduate degree at Mizzou. 

“I got to meet a lot of people through there who work for Mizzou, and I wanted to experience life somewhere else,” he said.  

His previous job experience also helped him land a job in college as a student research assistant at the Farm for Soy Innovation. It’s a 300-acre research facility run by Missouri Soybeans in partnership with CAFNR. 

“I have to brag about the people I work with, because the work they do is absolutely astounding,” he said. 

Greenwell explained that his job responsibilities varied depending on the season. He has helped with everything from chopping weeds in the fields to harvesting, labeling, packaging and sending soybeans to other universities for research collaboration. 

“In high school I thought I could see myself doing this,” he said. “But then I came up here, learned more about it, took classes and was like, ‘This is not me.’” 

Although the experiences Greenwell has had in the realm of research are not what he wants to pursue in his career, he said being surrounded by such intelligent people was inspiring.  

“It’s taught me a lot,” Greenwell said. “But it taught me that I don’t want to be in a lab doing samples, analysis and DNA.” 

Instead, Greenwell hopes to pursue a career path where he can build more interpersonal relationships. 

“I really enjoy talking to people, getting to know people,” he said. “I want to be more on the side of taking the research that’s been put on the market and I’ll sell it.” 

Lessons with a lasting impact 

The most important concept Greenwell has learned during his time at Mizzou is a simple one.  

“Truly listening to people,” he said. “Listening is the biggest way to make an impact on people and show people you really care about them.” 

He hopes to make a positive impact on others in the future, just as CAFNR has made a positive impact on him. 

“I’ve never met a more helpful group of people than those in CAFNR,” Greenwell said. “I feel like all I’ve done is grow and flourish as a part of it.” 

As he wraps up his time at Mizzou, Greenwell’s advice to younger students is to not let the undergraduate experience pass by without making the most of it.  

“Put yourself out there,” he said. “Knowing how much CAFNR offers you, you would be a fool to not take advantage of everything there is.” 

Greenwell said simply reaching out to others can open the door to key opportunities that shape the CAFNR student experience. 

“Don’t be afraid to talk to people and find what you want to do,” he said. “You don’t learn everything in a classroom.”