On Thursday, May 7, 2026, the Daviess County CEO Cohort had the opportunity to visit Helena Agri-Enterprises in Montgomery, where they were welcomed by location manager Dennis Miller. Dennis, who recently stepped into his leadership role last year, shared his enthusiasm for agriculture and spoke about the importance of the industry in supporting communities and everyday life.
During the visit, Dennis invited two additional staff members, McKayla Woodruff and Sydney McGriffen, to speak with the cohort about their personal journeys into agriculture and their careers at Helena. McKayla reflected on her experiences as a 10-year 4-H member, while Sydney shared insights from her education as a graduate of Purdue University. Together, they encouraged students to recognize that there are many different paths to finding a successful career.
The speakers emphasized several important life lessons, including the importance of doing your best wherever your “feet land,” striving to become an expert in your field, and building a professional reputation based on trust and respect. They spoke about how relationships and connections help build opportunities and reminded students that every job or position can become a stepping stone toward something greater. One message that stood out to the group was, “Hope when you are looking for a job you find a career.” They also reminded students that attitudes are contagious and that success often begins with a dream and the willingness to pursue it.
Dennis highlighted how agriculture is truly a people-centered business and shared several impressive statistics about Indiana agriculture. He explained that Indiana ranks first nationally in popcorn and ducks, second in pumpkins, third in eggs and turkeys, fourth in soybeans, and fifth in both hogs and corn production. These facts helped the students better understand the major impact agriculture has on both the state and the nation.
The cohort also learned about Helena’s role throughout the region. The Montgomery location serves farmers across Daviess, Knox, Pike, Greene, and Martin Counties. Since acquiring the local business Traylor Fertilizer in 2015, Helena has continued strengthening its commitment to supporting local agriculture through quality products and dependable service.
Students were also introduced to the wide range of agronomic solutions Helena provides, including seed and seed treatments, crop protection products, and precision agriculture services. Dennis explained that 60 percent of the chemicals used by Helena are manufactured in-house and that the company’s sprayers cover more than 140,000 acres annually, demonstrating the scale and impact of their operations.
The Daviess County CEO Cohort sincerely thanks Dennis, McKayla, Sydney , for their hospitality, knowledge, and encouragement. The visit provided valuable insight into the agricultural industry and reinforced the importance of leadership, hard work, relationships, and lifelong learning.
