Ryan Wolf, from Bankston, Iowa has been a dedicated advocate for the agricultural industry from a very young age. Growing up on his family’s farm where he helped milk a herd of 250 Holstein dairy cows, he quickly found his passion for the livestock industry. This devotion and excitement for the industry is what ultimately led him to Iowa State University to pursue a major in Animal Science. 
Wolf chose Iowa State for the endless opportunities it offers students. Like many students in the program, he initially planned to follow the pre-vet track. However, through mentorship from university faculty, he realized the industry held many more possibilities beyond veterinary medicine.
Throughout his time Iowa State, Wolf has taken on numerous leadership roles, making a significant impact on campus. He has been actively involved in Dairy Science Club, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council, and served as a Department of Animal Science Peer Mentor. Through his various leadership roles, Wolf strives to make it his top priority to give other students important opportunities. “It’s not a title for me, it’s about what I can do in my leadership positions to give others the opportunity to lead.” Wolf shared.
Beyond his campus involvement, Wolf has been equally engaged in the agricultural industry. He served as the Iowa State FFA Vice President from 2022 to 2023 where he enjoyed connecting with fellow agriculture enthusiasts and FFA members from around the state. Additionally, his involvement extends to industry internships, including a position with Alta Genetics, where he spent the summer in central California learning from breeders, technicians, and sales professionals to develop a reproductive database.
This summer, he will be interning with Dubuque County Extension, assisting in organizing county events. These experiences have provided him with a deeper understanding of the industry along with key skills and experience that have prepared him for a future career in the industry.
In the future, Wolf hopes to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue a master’s degree and eventually a Ph.D. in Dairy Science. His lifelong passion for dairy, specifically dairy reproduction, will be the focus of his postgraduate studies.
For current and future students, Wolf emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy. “I would not have known about a lot of opportunities that Iowa State offers had I not taken the initiative to connect with my professors and mentors.” Wolf said. “You have four years, and the only way to make it yours is by being the one who reaches out."