Mackenzie Torstenson
Ruminant Nutritionist & Animal Nutrition Sales
Entrepreneur At Heart
Hobby Farm Beginning
Mackenzie grew up on a small hobby farm in the rural Darlington area. She and her brother raised sheep and goats that they showed at local 4-H and FFA shows. As they began to have more livestock, the two of them were like mini entrepreneurs with their sheep and goats. They were responsible for all the chores, ordering feed, and writing checks for each bill that came regarding their livestock. All throughout her childhood and growing up, Mackenzie knew that she wanted to work with livestock when she began a career. She originally wanted to pursue the path to becoming a veterinarian as she spent several years working at the vet clinic in Darlington. However, college courses at UW-Platteville shown an intriguing light onto working in the field of nutrition. After graduation, she decided a career in animal nutrition was the way to go.
College to Career
After college graduation, her first job was with Economy Feed Mill where Mackenzie worked as a Ruminant Nutritionist. She gained four years’ worth of experience at Economy before she joined the PCE Nutrition Team in the fall of 2019. Mackenzie works with traditional dairies as well as goat dairies, assists with PCE marketing efforts, and helps her husband on their farm at home.
Community Involvement
Throughout the community, Mackenzie serves as a superintendent for the Lafayette County Fair. She really enjoys being involved with the community and appreciates the opportunity to share her knowledge and passions with youth in the area. This role makes for a few extra hectic weeks in the summer, but she truly enjoys the chance to assist. Mackenzie also hopes that her involvement with the county fair will encourage her young daughters (5 & 2) to be involved once they are both old enough. This summer, her oldest daughter began showing in open shows at the county level. She started with rabbits and has since began showing meat goats which are abundant on Mackenzie’s home farm.
Funny Farm
At home, Mackenzie and her family have quite the menagerie of critters. Last summer, her husband began farming full-time with the purchase of 170 meat does. Kidding season kept them occupied at the beginning of the calendar year, and they are excited for this new adventure for their family. They have around 20 rabbits which are shown locally as well as on the national level. 5 dogs share the responsibilities of family companions and keepers of the goats. Also, they have a flock of ducks, a few mini cattle, Bula the pot belly pig, and 1 guinea pig. Mackenzie has a love for animals that she openly shares with her children, husband, and daily through her work.
Passions & Mentors
Each day at work, Mackenzie expresses her passion for livestock and love for what she does. Mackenzie has a great passion for agriculture, the meat goat industry, and sharing her love for agriculture with youth in the industry. She gives credit of her agriculture passion to her grandpa and aunt. Driving her deeper into agriculture, Mackenzie’s grandfather suggested she begin to show sheep. At the age of 10, Mackenzie had no idea what showing sheep entailed, but she is so thankful that her grandpa pushed her to give it a try. She attained a real sense of purpose and drive from training sheep for the showring. Along with her grandpa, Mackenzie is grateful that her aunt helped she and her brother to join 4-H and begin showing rabbits. Her mom has always been a major support system for Mackenzie and often serves as her voice of reason. Likewise, Mackenzie is thankful for her husband, Jordan, as he always pushes her to be the best version of herself. He is her #1 cheerleader and has allowed her to grow her career without question.
Lessons Learned
Mackenzie has a wealth of life lessons that she shared with the PCE Community. A few are listed below.
You have what you make of it. Your success is measured by the effort you put forth.
It is okay to put your heart and soul into something and get nothing in return.
It is okay to get kicked down as long as you get back up.
You must have a sense of humor in life. Life is too short to not laugh every day.
Mackenzie would describe herself as funny, passionate, driven, self-disciplined, and one that loves to see others succeed. Her only regret is not taking her mental health more seriously at a younger age. Now, after receiving the support she needs, Mackenzie knows she is the best version of herself for her children, her husband, and her clients.
Be Confident, Be Bold, Be Kind, Be Respectful
Mackenzie’s advice for women in agriculture is to be passionate. She believes that women are powerful creatures that can complete any task just as well as their male counterparts. She encourages women to stand up for themselves and to be confident in who and what they are. Mackenzie notes that any woman can achieve great things and that they have the power to change the world. To make a difference in the industry, Mackenzie encourages women to be respectful towards themselves and their coworkers. She empowers her young daughters by teaching them that their personal integrity and intelligence is worth everything, and that they are capable and independent young women.
The #PCECommunity would like to thank Mackenzie for all her hard work and for being such a positive and strong role model for young women in agriculture. You are appreciated!
