Water, Soil, and Profit: The Corteva Way

Oct 23

Bridging Tradition and Innovation: How Andrew Luzum Champions Sustainable Farming

Listen on Apple Podcasts → Farm4Profit Podcast

In this episode, the Farm4Profit team sits down with Andrew Luzum — farmer, conservation advocate, and Nutrient Maximizer Strategic Account Manager with Corteva Agriscience — to explore how traditional values and modern innovation can work hand in hand to sustain agriculture for generations to come.

Rooted in Responsibility

Andrew’s family farm, located near a trout hatchery in Winneshiek County, Iowa, provides a daily reminder that what happens on the land affects what flows downstream. Their proximity to coldwater springs has made water quality and environmental responsibility central to every decision they make.

“We have a tremendous influence on the quality of water that comes out of those springs, and I feel a responsibility to do my part,” says Andrew.

That sense of stewardship has guided his work both on and off the farm, blending hands-on experience with scientific understanding.

From Family Farm to Corteva Agriscience

Andrew’s professional journey spans nearly a decade with Corteva Agriscience, where he’s held diverse roles in crop protection, territory management, and now as a Nutrient Maximizer Strategic Account Manager.

In this role, he helps farmers:

Optimize fertility efficiency
Improve ROI through data-driven insights
Protect soil health using science-based solutions

Andrew also represents producers as part of the Iowa Corn Animal Agriculture and Environment Committee, working to bridge farmers, science, and policy for more resilient rural ecosystems.

Lessons in Leadership and Soil Health

Growing up on a diverse dairy and livestock farm taught Andrew early lessons about work ethic, adaptability, and responsibility — principles that carry through in his leadership today. He shares his experiences experimenting with cover crops and integrating them into a cow-calf and row-crop system, offering real-world insights into what works (and what doesn’t) when conservation meets practicality.

His message to other farmers: sustainable practices aren’t just good for the environment — they’re good business.

Doing More With Less

Andrew highlights the link between data-driven agronomy and measurable environmental outcomes. By using Corteva’s Nutrient Maximizer tools, farms can track fertility efficiency, reduce waste, and safeguard long-term productivity.

The result: healthier soil, cleaner water, and stronger communities — all while maintaining profitability.

Redefining “Profit” in Modern Agriculture

In closing, Andrew reflects on what “profit” really means in agriculture today: not just financial returns, but the ability to endure, to leave the land better than it was found, and to inspire future generations to keep farming forward.