Brittney Smithson, MBA
Brittney Smithson, MBA, is a lifelong agriculture professional whose personal and career journey has been deeply rooted in farming and rural communities. She grew up on a family row crop farm where her family also raised cattle from birth to market, and she was actively involved in both 4-H and FFA throughout her youth. Her early exposure to agriculture shaped a strong work ethic and lasting passion for the industry. A pivotal moment came during her freshman year of high school when she met a seed sales professional, sparking her interest in agronomy and inspiring her long-term career path in agricultural sales and consulting.
She went on to study Agronomy at Wilmington College of Ohio, where she initially considered a double major in accounting due to her strong interest in numbers, but ultimately chose to focus fully on agriculture. After college, Brittney spent approximately four years in seed sales before stepping back to start a family. She later returned to the family farm while continuing part-time seed sales and transitioned into working with non-GMO soybean seed processors, supporting growers who supplied export markets in countries such as Japan and China for food-grade products including tofu and miso. Her career has consistently bridged hands-on farming experience with grower relations, agronomy, and agricultural marketing.
Following a corporate acquisition and restructuring that resulted in her position being eliminated, Brittney returned once again to the family farm. Around this time, her third child was born with Down syndrome and a cleft palate, prompting a meaningful shift in her career priorities toward flexibility and family care. She transitioned into crop insurance adjusting in late 2019, moving into a full-time role in December 2022, where she continues to support farmers while maintaining the flexibility to care for her son and family. During this period, she also earned her MBA from Northern Kentucky University in December 2024, fulfilling a long-held goal. Today, Brittney works full-time as a crop insurance adjuster while remaining actively involved in her family farm and raising four children, balancing professional dedication with her commitment to family and agriculture.
• Certified Farm Marketing Specialist
• Wilmington College of Ohio - BS, Agriculture; Agronomy
• Northern Kentucky University - MBA
• Ohio Farm Bureau
• Miami Valley Down Syndrome Buddy Walk - fundraising and participation
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong relationships I build with the farmers and agents I work with. I'm very personable and I love the relationship part of my work - I make it a point to check in with insureds I've really connected with and enjoyed talking to. What really validates my work is when people seek me out specifically. Last year while I was on maternity leave, I had a farmer call me directly because he and his family had really enjoyed working with me in the spring and wanted to give me their harvest claim first, even though that's not normally how it works. I also hear from agents telling me not to leave when there's shifting in the industry because they really like working with me. Those moments make me feel like I know what I'm doing and that I'm good at this. People tell me I'm thorough and knowledgeable, but I'm also not afraid to tell them when I need to dig deeper and get more information rather than trying to BS my way through things. For a while after losing my previous job, I felt a bit lost about what I was supposed to do with my career, wondering if I was just supposed to be a mom. But now I feel like I've found what I was called to do, and that reputation I'm building - where people think I'm thorough and trustworthy - is really fulfilling and makes me feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received came from my husband during one of the most challenging times in my life. When my son was born with Down syndrome and a cleft palate, I initially thought it was some kind of punishment. My husband told me, 'No, what's wrong with you? It was not a punishment. God knew that you were for him, and that's why you were sent him.' That perspective shift helped me understand that challenges aren't punishments - they're opportunities to be exactly who we're meant to be for the people who need us. My dad also gave me important career advice when he told me many times that I spent too much money on college to just be at the farm. That pushed me to keep pursuing professional opportunities beyond the family farm, even when it would have been easier to just stay there. Both pieces of advice taught me that I shouldn't settle or think small about what I'm capable of, whether that's as a mother or as a professional.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering agriculture is that you don't have to choose between having a career you love and being a great mom and spouse. I've found that you really can have both. In agriculture, particularly in roles like crop insurance adjusting, there's flexibility built into the work because crop seasons change - there are busy times and slower times. During the not-so-busy seasons, you have more flexibility for your family, and you can arrange your work to be present for the things that matter most. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it all. People have said to me, 'I don't know how you do it,' and my response is, 'you just do it.' When life throws you challenges - and it will - you have the ability to pivot and move forward to bring success. I've learned that you can be a successful mom and have a career, even when life throws you curveballs like having a child with special needs. The key is finding the right fit that allows you to be present for your family while still pursuing meaningful professional work. Agriculture offers those opportunities if you look for them.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest opportunities in my field right now is the ability to work hard in a meaningful way that directly impacts the lives of others, particularly the farmers and agricultural communities I serve. I am driven by the chance to make a positive difference through my work while also serving as a role model and source of inspiration for my four children. Balancing professional responsibility with family life has strengthened my perspective, allowing me to approach challenges with purpose, resilience, and a commitment to both excellence in my career and integrity in my personal life.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is being present and giving my best to both my family and my career. When my son was born with Down syndrome and a cleft palate, I made a commitment to give him every possible resource so he could reach his fullest potential. That meant I needed to find work that would allow me to put him first and do what I need to do with him, while still contributing professionally. I've worked very hard to be the best mother I can be, and that brings me the most joy. But I've also learned that being a good mom doesn't mean giving up on having a career - it means finding the right balance. I love that I can work hard and make a difference in the lives of the farmers I serve through my crop insurance work, while also being there for my four children and showing them what it means to be dedicated to both family and profession. The farming lifestyle has taught me that you either love it or you don't - there's no in-between - and there are sacrifices you have to make sometimes. But I've learned that there are things I won't miss for the farm, and if I have to park that tractor and come back to it later to be there for my kids, I'll do it. That flexibility and commitment to being present is what matters most to me.