Logan Hoffman is building his own path as he works to complete his bachelor's degree in animal science and international agriculture here at Iowa State University. Logan is from Clarence, Iowa, where his family runs a farrow to finish hog operation that kick-started his passion for the livestock industry. Throughout his time at Iowa State, he has been an active member of Block & Bridle and has served on committees for the Little North American and the Cyclone Classic. He is currently the president of the relatively new Swine Production Advocates Club, a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association as well as a CALS ambassadors where he had the opportunity to lead CALS week this past fall.
Through multiple internships, Logan has gained a wide variety of experiences and knowledge. He completed his first internship with Ag Vantage FS as a crop scout where he gained a lot of experience with row crops that he used to later apply to his family's operation. More recently, Logan interned for Schwartz Farm, a large-scale hog production farm located in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Throughout his time there, he received hands-on experience in all areas from farrow to finish, observed the new technology being implemented, and was also able to observe how the company and industry took action when COVID-19 hit.
Logan is most proud of becoming a member of the Alpha Gama Rho (AGR) fraternity his sophomore year. He points out that AGR was a turning point for him and his college career, providing him with the drive and resources to challenge himself both as a student and as a person. Logan has also gained many close friends and invaluable connections through the fraternity.
When asked who his favorite teacher in the department was, he responded with his advisor, Dr. Jodi Sterle. Logan pointed out that she is always there to help point him in the right direction and understands him as a student and individual. Logan said that his favorite class at Iowa State University was his swine science class taught by Dr. Laura Greiner, where he enjoyed her hands-on approach to learning. Logan’s short-term goal after graduation is to find a position in the production or sales side of the hog industry, then using the skills and knowledge he gains to transition into his long-term goal of taking over and expanding his family’s hog operation.
Logan’s advice to students:
“Don’t follow someone else's footsteps. Use college as a time to experiment and find what you like, not what your friends like. If you aren’t enjoying something change it and take a step in another direction.”