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... We look for farmers and ranchers who are meeting the promise and challenges of 21st-century agriculture," said Gregg Hillyer, editor-in-chief of Progressive Farmer.

"As much as any class before them, we believe this class will take agriculture to new levels of professionalism as they work to feed a hungry and growing world." ...

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... -- Emily Mullen of Okeana, Ohio

Emily tells a family story in which her father and dairy farmer, Tim, prayed so fervently for Holstein heifers that God blessed him additionally with four daughters, none of whom he thought would ever want to run the farm.

But there was Emily, the third daughter -- Mandy and Amber, older and Elizabeth, the youngest. "As a young girl, I absolutely loved being involved in agriculture," said Emily, now 26. "By the time I was in high school, I was set on having a career in the industry."

Emily's dad was not so set on her career choice. He had been dairying since he was 14, from the time his father, Harry, died. He had a hard-knock view of the family business that did not envision a daughter.

With some family resistance, Emily decided upon graduation from high school to attend The Ohio State University-Agricultural Technical Institute where she earned an associate degree in dairy science.

She soon discovered the milk co-op check was not going to pay the bills. She found some answers in the creamery she opened, selling milk in 30 flavors to a growing, mostly urban and suburban, consumer clientele. ...