Advertising alum wins prestigious award for ag entrepreneurism
Alumna Karlie Elliott Bowman (BS ’09, ACES; MS ’10, advertising), and her husband Andrew Bowman, were awarded the 2024 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism, announced during the 2024 AgTech Summit hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park.
The prestigious award recognizes a grower, producer, or farmer who exemplifies an entrepreneurial spirit and advances innovation in agricultural practices and products.
Working with the University of Illinois, the Bowmans have developed new popcorn hybrids, resulting in specialty red and blue "hull-less" popcorn. They market the product behind the tagline, “No toothpicks required.” They have also pioneered an automated in-store popcorn demonstration unit, a reflection of their forward-thinking approach to product marketing and customer engagement.
The Bowmans are fifth-generation farmers near Oneida, Illinois, with more than 1,800 acres of corn and soybean seed beans. Karlie is also an account manager at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, one of the world’s leading strategic communications companies.
See their consumer site: https://pilotknob.farm
