KANSAS CITY, MO. (October 24, 2024) — When Jerome (Jerry) Roell passed away on December 17, 2023, he left behind a profound legacy of leadership, mentorship and commitment to agriculture. Throughout his 38-year career with John Deere, Jerry was known as the “go-to” person—always there to help, mentor, and elevate his colleagues. His work left a mark on the company and the many lives he touched throughout his career.

Raised on a dairy farm in Ohio, Jerry’s professional journey began with a degree in agricultural engineering from The Ohio State University. His deep connection to the land, combined with his technical expertise, made his career at John Deere a perfect fit. Jerry’s career took him and his wife, Melissa, across the U.S. and even to Mexico. Jerry's final position was in Brazil, where he led the establishment of a technology office, one of the most rewarding experiences of his career. Jerry’s passion for his work extended beyond just technical innovation—he was dedicated to helping others grow and thrive.

“Jerry was a great mentor to a lot of people at John Deere,” said Melissa. “That’s what made him so special—his willingness to help others succeed.”

When Jerry passed away from brain cancer last year, his friends and colleagues decided to honor his legacy by creating a scholarship in his name. The idea was sparked by Rick Bormann and a small group of Jerry’s longtime friends from his days at John Deere, including Mike Johanning, David Rock and Chris Ohnysty. They wanted to support students in the field of precision agriculture, one of Jerry’s passions.

The initial goal was to raise $5,000 to fund a few scholarships, but as word spread and donations poured in, the group realized they could aim much higher. With the help of Agriculture Future of America (AFA) and their fundraising platform, Classy, they quickly raised enough to create a permanent endowment, ensuring Jerry’s legacy would continue through generations of agricultural students. The fund surpassed $200,000, with more than 130 donors contributing, including many from current John Deere employees, whose donations were matched by the John Deere Foundation.

 “Seeing the number of people who supported this effort was truly incredible,” said Johanning. “It was a testament to the impact Jerry had—not just at work, but on everyone around him.”

The inaugural Roell Scholars will receive a $1,600 academic scholarship and a $1,250 sponsorship to attend the AFA Leaders Conference. The first recipients are Kyle Hagen from South Dakota State University and Ojas Shah from the University of Illinois, who will attend the 2024 AFA Leaders Conference.

For Melissa, this scholarship is a fitting tribute to her husband’s life. “The scholarship makes me happy, knowing there will always be young students who learn about Jerry’s commitment to agriculture and his love for the land.”

Mark Stewart, AFA President and CEO, emphasized how Jerry’s legacy aligns with AFA’s mission. “Legacy is something deeply meaningful to us at AFA. We’re honored to help carry forward Jerry’s impact, just as we continue the legacy of AFA’s founder, R. Crosby Kemper Jr. Together, we’re cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders.”

About Agriculture Future of America
AFA builds bridges for young leaders to foster engagement and innovation in food and agriculture through premier leader and career development experiences. In the last five years, AFA has provided 26,000 leader development experiences to college leaders and young professionals from more than 200 colleges and universities throughout 43 states since its inception in 1996. AFA has awarded more than $11.5 million in academic and leader development scholarships. For more information about AFA, visit agfuture.org.