Dillon Blythe ('17 agricultural studies) didn’t use the startup idea he’d developed in the Econ 334/Entrepreneurship in Agriculture course right away after graduating in 2017, but he didn’t forget it either.
“My startup idea from class was about providing soil fertility consulting services to farmers,” Blythe comments. “I took a position after graduating from ISU with an agriculture retailer, so I did work with farmers on soil sampling and fertilizer plans. Then I accepted a position with a seed company and farmers who’d worked with me in my previous position asked for help with soil sampling and fertilizer issues.”
Blythe’s opportunity had arrived. In 2021, he started Blythe Crop Solutions, based near his hometown of Marengo, Iowa. “I asked my wife if I could quit my job and start a business,” he adds.