Originally from southern Missouri, Dr. Rachel Veenstra was raised on her family’s cow-calf ranch near Hartville. As the oldest of three kids, she loved helping her parents on the farm and fell in love with agriculture at a very young age. Although surrounded by animals, she developed a fascination with plants and enjoyed gardening – encouraged by her grandmother who always had a big garden and beautiful flowers. When it came time to select a college major, Rachel was thrilled to discover studying plants and crops was an option.

Rachel graduated with her B.S. Environmental Plant Science – Crop Science degree from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, in 2018. An internship in Manhattan with Corteva Agriscience (DuPont Pioneer at the time) led her to Kansas State University, where she accepted a graduate research assistantship with Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti in 2019. Her graduate work on tillering in corn garnered international interest, several awards, and a nickname – “the Tiller Queen”.

Dr. Veenstra joined the Agronomy department as a faculty member in 2022. Her appointment is primarily teaching, and she teaches the introductory crop science course as well as a plant and seed identification course. Dr. Veenstra also coaches the collegiate crops and NACTA judging teams and serves as an advisor for the Wheat State Agronomy Club. In addition to teaching and advising, Dr. Veenstra will lead a field-based crop science research program, which is currently being built.

“I couldn’t be more excited to continue in this rich community I have found with K-State Agronomy. What a blessing to have the opportunity to inspire others and help students shape and achieve their dreams. I hope to bring enthusiasm and innovative classroom experiences to these courses, and meaningful agronomic solutions to stakeholders through my research program.”

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys volunteering in the preschool at a local church, gardening, spending time with her family, and crafting.

Education

• PhD, Agronomy, Crop Production, and Cropping Systems, Kansas State University, 2022
• BS, Environmental Plant Science -- Crop Science, Missouri State University, 2018