Dr. Kristen Strom

The best leaders don’t just work harder—they take care of themselves smarter. This power-packed session delivers a compelling message for today’s professionals: peak performance begins with wellness. Kristen combines real-life case studies, research, and personal experiences to show how small, smart steps in physical, emotional, and intellectual wellness can lead to greater resilience, sharper decision-making, and sustainable success on and off the farm. Kristen and her husband, a third-generation farmer, have taken steps to lead themselves to better wellness which has improved their marriage, family, and farming operation. This session is designed to inspire and equip attendees with practical strategies that they too can apply to their lives.

Audience Takeaways:

• Wellness is a Leadership Advantage: Prioritizing physical, emotional, and intellectual wellness isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategic advantage that enhances decision-making, resilience, and long-term success.

• Small, Smart Steps Create Lasting Change: Sustainable wellness doesn’t require an overhaul. Individuals will learn how small, intentional changes in daily routines can lead to big improvements in energy, focus, and leadership effectiveness.

• Balance In Work and In Life is Possible: Ag professionals don’t have to choose between success and well-being. Individuals will discover actionable strategies to refine routines, set boundaries, and lead with greater impact—without sacrificing themselves in the process.

In this session, Kristen shares her journey of marrying a farmer, raising a family, and navigating career and farm life—all while figuring out how to “do it all” and still thrive. She understands the challenges individuals in agriculture face and the importance of finding balance. Through personal stories and practical strategies, Kristen reveals how prioritizing wellness has strengthened her farm, family, and marriage. Her message of being rooted in purpose will inspire individuals to cultivate a life where they thrive in every season. Attendees will leave feeling energized, encouraged, and equipped to reconnect with their purpose—so they can lead with intention, show up fully, and thrive on and off the farm.

Audience Takeaways: 

• Lead with Purpose: Discover how aligning your daily actions with what matters most can bring clarity, energy, and fulfillment to every area of your life.

• Prioritize to Thrive: Learn simple strategies to put your well-being first—so you can show up stronger for your work, relationships, and goals.

• Shift Your Mindset: Embrace new perspectives that help you navigate challenges, avoid burnout, and grow through every stage of life

In this session, Kristen shares her powerful journey from urban consumer to rural producer, drawing from 18+ years of living, working, and raising a family on the farm. What began as a lifestyle change evolved into a deep appreciation for agriculture, community, and the power of personal storytelling.

Kristen challenges the audience to reflect on this vital question: What is the cost of not telling your farm story? Through relatable anecdotes—from blogging about rural life as a newlywed, being honored with the American Farm Bureau Agriculture Achievement Award, to working as the Director of Agriculture and Educational Outreach for an Illinois State Representative—Kristen illustrates how personal stories can shift perceptions, build trust, and connect with urban audiences who may never step foot on a farm.

She also unpacks the common myths and misunderstandings that urban consumers hold about agriculture—and how farm families can be the ones to change the narrative. Using her S.T.O.R.Y. framework, Kristen equips today’s farmers, ranchers, and ag professionals with actionable tools to confidently share their own stories in meaningful, authentic, and impactful ways.

This session is a rallying call for the agriculture community: your story is your superpower—and the bridge the world needs.

Audience Takeaways: 

• Tell Your STORY: Learn how to recognize and challenge common misconceptions about farming and agriculture, and use your personal experiences to educate others.

• Honor the Whole Life, Not Just the Work: Understand how farming is not just a job but a lifestyle that includes family, faith, community, and personal wellness—and why balancing all of these matters.

• See Yourself as a Bridge: Discover how your role as a young farmer can help connect urban consumers to the truth about food, farming, and rural living through everyday conversations and intentional storytelling.