Beth Ford started her career earning $2 an hour. Each morning, she would board a school bus to go detassel corn, joining her peers in Sioux City, Iowa, who found summer employment in this way.
“At that time, two dollars an hour was significant,” Ford shares with UJ’s Poppy Harlow on the latest episode of Boss Files.
Now, as the pioneering female CEO of Land O’Lakes — and the first openly gay woman to lead a company on the Fortune 500 list — Ford reflects on a life lesson from her mother. She learned that “even if we don’t have everything, we have enough, and with what we possess, much is expected of us.”
“She asked, ‘Do you understand what is expected of you? Do you see how much you have? Don’t let us down,’ and in response, I felt the weight of that expectation, thinking, ‘I must work diligently to meet those expectations,’” Ford explains.
Ford envisions a change for Land O’Lakes. She aims to reshape public perceptions of the butter and cream brand and highlights its innovations in the ag-tech industry.
“My goal is to keep investing in technology,” she states. “Agility is key. E-commerce, e-business, and technological advancements are shaking up all sectors, agriculture included, and there’s potential when you have a company like Land O’Lakes that is driven by insights and technology.”
The future of Land O’Lakes
In July, the US imposed tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese goods, prompting China to label it “the beginning of the largest trade war in economic history.” Consequently, China retaliated with tariffs affecting billions of dollars in US exports, including cotton, dairy, and soybeans.
“Grain farmers, growers, and producers nationwide are feeling the ramifications of the trade negotiations and retaliatory tariffs,” Ford notes. “Access to export markets is vital for these farmers and the agricultural sector, yet we’re observing a slowdown due to the trade environment’s unpredictability.”
Ford shares that she’s had discussions with soybean farmers and others impacted by tariff politics.
“From my conversations, it’s evident that our farmer members recognize the administration’s intentions regarding intellectual property theft,” she explains. “They are focused on ensuring fair trade agreements, and in general, they are supportive of these efforts.”
Above all, she emphasizes that these farmers desperately need resolution and clarity — and they need it soon.
“Time is of the essence,” she affirms. “What can the administration do that’s most critical? They should act swiftly to address these trade conflicts and tariff concerns.”
When Ford’s promotion to CEO was announced, the press release praised her achievements but failed to highlight an important milestone in Fortune 500 history.
With her ascent, Ford became the first openly gay woman to serve as CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Since then, she has received numerous messages from individuals expressing the significance of her achievement.
“People have approached me, saying, ‘Thank you,’” she recounts. “This gratitude extends beyond the LGBTQ community to everyday individuals expressing appreciation for my authenticity and for inspiring others to embrace their true selves.”
Ford mentions that while she has not faced discrimination in her career, the thought of its potential consequences for her family has crossed her mind.
“I consciously made choices about where to work, considering places that might not be welcoming,” she remarks. “There were jobs I turned down, saying, ‘This sounds like a great position, and you’re an excellent leader, but I can’t accept this role because my partner is a woman, and I have a daughter to consider.’”
Considering the declining number of female CEOs in the Fortune 500, she emphasizes that genuine progress won’t occur until there is an increase in the number of women leaders. She views this as “a collective responsibility” for management teams and their talent development initiatives.
In pursuing her path to the C-suite, she recalls an essential lesson from her mother: “Beth, if you desire something, ask for it.”
“You assume your hard work will be recognized, but that’s not always the way things turn out,” Ford reflects.
