Lonelle Babler
Office Manager Dakota Coop
A View from Dakota
Lonelle B. currently works at our Dakota Coop as the Office Manager. She is known in our company for always having a helpful attitude and smile on her face.
Loni grew up in Dakota, IL, on her family’s dairy farm. There, they milked about 150 registered Holstein cows. As a kid, Loni was always very involved on the farm. She particularly enjoyed working with the animals and helped milk and feed & care for calves & cows. Though she was mostly interested in the cattle, she never shied away from an opportunity to help out and could often be found baling hay in the summer and chopping corn silage as fall grew nearer. She and her family stayed very involved with the local 4-H and FFA chapters as well as the Illinois Jr. Holstein Association. Loni spent much of her time showing and prepping animals for shows on their farm. The family would often take 20 or more animals to state & local shows, keeping the kids busy all summer long. At the fairs, Loni could be found helping prep their Holsteins for show and out in the show ring with their cows. She also enjoyed showing other species as she often participated in Master Showmanship.
Throughout high school, Loni participated in volleyball, basketball, track & field, 4-H, FFA, as well as her local church. Being part of such of diverse teams, Loni learned the importance of teamwork and always participating at her highest level of excellence. She knows the value of working on a team and appreciates that atmosphere that she’s been able to find within her career at PCE. She started here at PCE one summer in high school and worked painting customer LP tanks. She is so proud to be able to look back and see her career and personal development through this evolving cooperative.
After high school, Loni accepted a scholarship for track & field at Illinois State University where she majored in Agriculture Industry Management. Deciding on her major, however, was not a linear process. Loni entered her freshman year originally wanting to study Animal Science, but soon decided that a degree in Agriculture Industry Management would provide her with greater opportunities in the section of agriculture in which she wished to build her career.
During her time growing up in rural Illinois and attending a state university, Loni related quite a bit of her success and personal growth to her FFA advisor, sports coaches, and family members — particularly her dad. Loni’s dad taught her the value of hard work and how to see a project through. He guided her with values of respect, love, and kindness as a child; all of which have stuck with Loni through her life and taught her some of her most important life lessons. These values and lessons are being passed on as Loni now raises her own children.
If you know Loni, you probably know that she truly loves a handful of things in this life. Some of which are livestock, her perennial flower garden, and, of course, her children. Currently, Loni has a few backyard chickens that she and her family take care of. Her kids help collect eggs, and she hopes to one day be able to have a handful of beef animals around as well. Tending to her flower garden is something she enjoys doing when the seasons allow. Loni’s children are a huge part of her life, and she enjoys staying involved in their lives and helping them to be involved in the community.
Loni would describe herself as optimistic, helpful, and strong. Any coworker that knows Loni would tend to agree. She believes that each person is made in their own unique way which makes us all important in the puzzle of life. Loni has no regrets because she believes that each decision makes us into who we are.
Loni’s advice for younger women in ag is to continuously go after what they wish to achieve. It’s important for them to keep their drive alive in a career they are passionate about. They must remember to put in the work to achieve their goals – if they don’t, nobody else will for them.
Loni believes that PCE gives equal opportunity to each and every one of their employees. She knows she is expected to give her all each day at work and never shies away from a new opportunity. In a day at work, Loni isn’t confined to her office and she loves the diversity in each work day with PCE. Starting as a summer employee in high school, it is incredible to see Loni’s career growth during her time at PCE.
The #PCECommunity would like to thank Loni for all of her hard work and for being such a positive and strong role model for young women in agriculture. You are appreciated!
