Maggie Jo Hansen is a Senior Commodity Manager at Tyson Foods, Inc. In this role she is responsible for sustainability initiatives, international integration, and communications in the Commodity Purchasing Group, while also managing procurement of organic and conventional feed ingredients for the Smart Chicken brand. Maggie Jo originally joined the team to implement the first marketing strategy for the Local Grain Services (LGS) program. LGS began with the purpose of buying corn directly from local farmers to feed Tyson chickens. During her first two years with the LGS team, Maggie Jo increased farmer participation by 220%, developed and launched Tyson’s first mobile app for farmers to manage their grain, and created a giving back program to invest in over 35 grain farming communities across the southeast United States.
Since 2012, Maggie Jo has completed work experience in multiple countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, focusing on agricultural issues in government affairs and public perceptions. Before joining Tyson, Maggie Jo worked in communications for the International Programs Office in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, where she led student recruitment. She volunteers regularly with the Carpenter Project, OneEgg, and many agricultural education and leadership organizations. In 2016 she completed a M.S. in Agricultural and Extension Education from the University of Arkansas where she was recognized as the top graduate student in Bumpers College. In 2014 she earned a B.S. in Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology and minor in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. Maggie Jo is a native of Bergman, Arkansas, and she and her husband, Will, live in Fayetteville.