About me
Kristiana Coutu brings her passion for agriculture and working with farmers to lead the Beginning Farmer Center. In addition to resources for beginning and aspiring farmers, the center supports efforts of existing farmers in transitioning their land and/or operations to next-generation family or nonfamily farmers. Coutu also works with the ISU Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation.
Agriculture is at the heart of Coutu’s career, through her current role and earlier experiences as an ag attorney, policy director, CPA, ag lender, and the hardest job of all – full-time dairy farmer. Coutu has worked with farmers, ranchers, and agricultural organizations across the country, giving her a broad perspective on the diversity of agriculture and the varying needs of producers.
Coutu currently operates a small, diversified farm with her husband.
Coutu received her J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law and her B.S. in Business Management from the University of Connecticut. She also earned an M.S. in Taxation from Grand Valley State University and an L.L.M. in Agricultural and Food Law at the University of Arkansas School of Law.
