Student Spotlight: Beau Klaver - Taking Agriculture to New Heights

For Iowa State senior Beau Klaver, innovation in agriculture isn’t just a topic talked about in class, it’s a business reality. A senior majoring in Agricultural Studies with minors in Agronomy and Agricultural Systems Technology, Beau has taken his passion for precision agriculture sky-high through his entrepreneurial journey.

Beau’s connection with Start Something CALS began through a friend, who encouraged him to reach out to Kevin Kimle after launching his own business. That business, BK Air LLC, is a drone-spraying service that works with growers to provide efficient, targeted crop applications.

“I started the company in the summer of 2023,” Beau shared. “It’s been a great experience learning to manage employees, meet customer demands, and see how technology can make a real difference in agriculture.” What began as an ambitious idea quickly became a thriving business that Beau plans to continue growing after graduation and possibly expand into new ventures.

Beau credits several of Kevin Kimle’s courses with shaping his entrepreneurial mindset, especially Econ 3340 (Entrepreneurship in Agriculture) and the Brazilian Ag Capstone course. “Those classes really opened my eyes to innovation in the ag industry,” he said. “Being able to pitch ideas, analyze case studies, and see things firsthand helped me grow both professionally and personally.”

One of Beau’s most memorable experiences came from traveling abroad. He’s been on three international trips with the Start Something program, two to Brazil and one to Germany and Czech Republic. “We toured farms, coffee and citrus operations, regenerative ag businesses, and even equipment manufacturers like Horsch,” Beau recalled. “Those trips showed me how diverse agriculture is around the world and how much opportunity there is for new ideas.”

For Beau, the best part of Start Something CALS has been the people. “I’ve met so many new friends and made strong connections with students and industry leaders,” he said. “Each trip and experience deepened those relationships and taught me something new.”

Reflecting on his journey, Beau shared how his time in the program has changed his perspective on his future. “When I first came to college, I never thought I’d start my own business,” he said. “Now I know that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything. Start Something has opened my eyes to all the possibilities that are out there.”