Community Spotlight: Jenna Wicks
Jenna Wicks
Director of Strategic Programs and Education
Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation
Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your connection to food and agriculture?
Hi! I’m Jenna Wicks, and I currently serve as the Director of Strategic Programs and Education for the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation. In this role, I have the honor of developing and delivering programs that prepare leaders to navigate the complex and evolving landscape of agriculture, both in Illinois and beyond.
Although I didn’t grow up on a farm, I was raised in a rural community where agriculture was the backbone of everyday life. My own journey into the ag world began when I joined the National FFA Organization as a teenager. FFA gave me my first real taste of agricultural education and leadership, and it sparked a passion that has shaped my life and career ever since.
How has your identity as an LGBTQ+ person shaped your experience in this field?
When I first began my career in agriculture, I didn’t feel ready to share my LGBTQ+ identity. At the time, I didn’t see many visible examples of queer professionals in the field, and I wasn’t sure how, or if, I would be accepted. That uncertainty led me to leave agriculture and spend the next decade working in higher education, specifically in student affairs.
Student affairs offered me something I hadn’t yet found in agriculture: a community that fully embraced diversity, equity, and inclusion not just in principle, but in everyday practice. Being surrounded by colleagues and students who celebrated authenticity allowed me to grow more confident in my own identity. It was in that environment that I learned how powerful it can be to show up fully as yourself.
When I returned to agriculture three and a half years ago, I brought that confidence with me. I was no longer willing to separate who I am from the work I do. Reentering this field with a stronger sense of self has been both empowering and grounding. I now see my identity as a strength—something that allows me to connect more deeply, advocate more passionately, and help build a future in agriculture where everyone feels seen, valued, and welcomed.
What impact has CCF had on your personal or professional journey?
The Cultivating Change Foundation has had a meaningful impact on both my personal growth and professional journey in agriculture. I attended my first Summit in 2022 in Washington, D.C., and it was truly a transformative experience.
Being surrounded by a community of LGBTQ+ professionals in agriculture—people who not only understood the unique challenges we face but celebrated each other’s stories—was incredibly empowering. I felt embraced, seen, and supported in ways I hadn’t before in this field.
That experience inspired me to step more boldly into my own story and to share it more openly in my work. It reminded me that visibility matters and that there is real power in creating space for authenticity and connection. Thanks to CCF, I’m more confident using my voice to advocate for inclusion in agriculture and to help others feel that same sense of belonging.
What does visibility for LGBTQ+ people in food and ag mean to you?
Visibility for LGBTQ+ people in food and agriculture means creating a space where everyone feels they belong, where you don’t have to choose between your identity and your passion for the industry. It’s about making sure LGBTQ+ voices, stories, and leadership are not just accepted, but celebrated as essential to the fabric of agriculture.
For me, visibility is personal. Early in my career, I didn’t see many people like me in the field, and that lack of representation made it harder to imagine a place for myself. Now, I know how powerful it can be to see someone who reflects your own experience. Visibility offers hope, affirmation, and a reminder that we all have a place here.
It also drives progress. When LGBTQ+ individuals are visible in food and ag—whether in the field, the classroom, or the boardroom—it challenges outdated narratives and opens doors for others to thrive authentically. Visibility helps build a stronger, more inclusive future for our industry and the communities it serves.
What would you tell your younger self or another LGBTQ+ person just entering our sector?
I would tell my younger self, and anyone else just stepping into agriculture as an LGBTQ+ person, that who you are is not just valid, it’s valuable. You don’t need to change, hide, or edit yourself to belong in this field. Your identity is a strength, and your perspective is needed.
There is room for you here, and there are people rooting for you even if you haven’t met them yet. You’re not alone, and you are exactly who this field needs.
What’s one moment you felt proud to be your full, authentic self in your work?
One of the moments I’ve felt most proud of being my full, authentic self is when participants in the programs I facilitate have felt safe enough to share their identities with me, often because I first shared mine with them.
There’s something incredibly powerful about creating a space where others feel seen, accepted, and supported just as they are. When someone pulls me aside to say, “Thank you for being open. It made it easier for me to be open too,” I’m reminded why authenticity matters so deeply.
What does Pride mean to you this year?
Every year, Pride reminds me that community exists, even when it may not be visible around me. Living in a rural town where there’s no Pride parade or celebration, it can sometimes feel isolating. But that’s exactly why Pride matters so much.
Each June, I hang a Pride flag on my front porch. It may seem like a small gesture, but to me, it’s powerful. It’s a way of saying, “We’re here.” That LGBTQ+ people live in small towns too. That we are part of these communities. And that we deserve to be seen, respected, and celebrated. Pride is about visibility, quiet courage, and reminding others—and myself—that we belong wherever we are.
What gives you hope for the future of LGBTQ+ people in food and ag?
What gives me the most hope is the younger generation. They’re growing up with a stronger sense of inclusion, empathy, and openness, and they’re bringing that mindset into agriculture. I see more young people challenging outdated norms, embracing diversity, and creating space for everyone at the table.
It’s inspiring to watch emerging leaders who are unafraid to be their full, authentic selves and who expect the industry to do better when it comes to equity and representation. Their courage and compassion are reshaping the culture of agriculture in real time.
How can allies better support LGBTQ+ professionals in this industry?
Listen with empathy. Believe people when they share their experiences. Make space at the table not just for representation, but for real influence and leadership from LGBTQ+ professionals. And don’t wait for LGBTQ+ people to do all the educating. Seek out resources, attend events like the Cultivating Change Summit, and keep learning.
Most importantly, create environments where people feel safe to show up as their full selves. Sometimes it’s the small gestures—a conversation, a sign of support, an open door—that make the biggest difference. True allyship isn’t passive. It’s active, intentional, and ongoing.
When allies show up with heart and action, they help create a stronger, more inclusive future for everyone in food and agriculture.