Troy Whittier
Graduate Student – Class of 2028
Whittier grew up in southwestern Virginia on a small cow-calf operation, where his father, Dr. Dee Whittier, a food-animal veterinarian, taught him to love the beef cattle industry. During his college years, he worked in Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma, gaining a broader knowledge of the national cattle industry. He graduated from Virginia Tech in Animal and Poultry Science with an emphasis in livestock production. After graduation, Troy and his wife, Brooklynn, purchased land in Virginia and combined resources with his father to build a commercial cow-calf operation.
While renovating their own land and managing leased properties, he worked for several local producers and eventually started a construction company. Whittier states, “After eight years of balancing on-ranch work and off-ranch income, the Whittier family decided to focus priorities back to the agricultural industry and get a full-time ranching job.” In 2024, he took a job at Deseret Cattle and Timber, in the panhandle of Florida. There he worked to build and operate a grass-based backgrounding facility focusing on early-weaned calves. He also managed a cow-calf unit, experiencing the challenges that come with large-scale production.
Through his experiences and relationships at AgReserves, Inc., Whittier became familiar with KRIRM and its approach to developing leaders in the ranching industry. Whilst working with KRIRM alumnus John Olsen, he gained a better understanding of the Institute and the opportunities it provides. With a desire to continue his education and grow as a ranch manager, Whittier decided KRIRM was the right fit for his goals and aspirations. He is excited to connect and network with industry leaders and believes the best knowledge comes from real work situations and challenges.
Troy and Brooklynn have moved to Kingsville with their four daughters, Abigail, Paisley, Emmaline, and Cypress. They are excited for this new chapter and the experiences ahead. Troy believes family is at the core of agriculture and that wherever people share core values, there is a sense of home.