Faces of Farming

Keeping MFA Agri Services in Boonville running smoothly means no two days look alike. But whether she’s managing inventory or delivering fertilizer buggies, Paige Schanzmeyer meets every task with a positive perspective that uplifts her team and strengthens customer connections.

A native of Boonville, Schanzmeyer began working for the MFA retail location in 2019 and currently serves as assistant manager. Her distinguished leadership skills helped her earn a “Rising Star” award from the Agricultural Retailers Association, which recognizes emerging leaders in the industry. She, along with all of 2025’s Rising Stars—including another MFA recipient, Agronomy Key Account Manager Levi Banner—will be honored Dec. 2 at the annual ARA conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

All of this year’s Rising Stars submitted a short video interview for a “Fan Favorite” contest, where viewers could vote. Schanzmeyer was named the 2025 Fan Favorite Winner on Nov. 14. Her video produced by MFA Communications, received more than 1,000 votes. You can view her video and others online at atticusllc.com/ara-rising-star-fanfav-25/. 

Here are some insights that helped her rise to the top.

What do you enjoy about working at MFA? 
It was a real honor to come back to the community where I grew up and work with the producers I’ve known my whole life. My family has a row-crop and cattle operation, and I’ve always loved working on the farm. Getting back to my roots by working with MFA was the perfect avenue for me to take, and I’ve really enjoyed it.

What is your role as Agri Services assistant manager?
I oversee the day-to-day operations in the office—from inventory control to ordering products, to billing those products and services out to our customers, plus handling walk-in sales and answering the phone. But sometimes you’ll see me pulling a buggy to the field for a farmer or up on a bin loading a truck if need be. In the summer, when our applicators are really busy, I help them load chemicals and get them out the door as quickly as possible.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in this role?
The challenge I face every day is not knowing everything that our customers need. There’s always something new I have to learn. I turn that into a positive mindset that I get to come to work and have the chance to grow.

What are some of the successes you’ve achieved? 
The biggest successes I’ve had in my career are the relationships I’ve built with our producers and my peers. My customers know they can call on me anytime with questions or concerns, and they know I’ll follow through to get them an answer or the product they need. Maintaining good relationships with our customers means they are going to come back again because they believe in our product, and they believe in MFA.

How would you describe your philosophy as a leader? 
I start by having a positive attitude when I come into work. It’s important for me to empower my employees so they look forward to doing their job every day and are motivated to bring out the best in themselves. I always make sure they know what’s expected of them and that they have the necessary tools to be successful. Likewise, I do daily check-ins with my employees who are off-site to make sure they’re OK and if there’s anything they need. Lastly, I also stay in touch with my employees outside of work if they’ve had a rough day. On a personal level, it means a lot to that employee to know they’ve been seen.

What would you say about choosing MFA as a career path? 
I’ll always encourage people to join agriculture. It’s such a vast and diverse industry—not just cows and livestock and crops anymore. It’s technology, it’s machinery, it’s grain, it’s everything that you see here at MFA Boonville. Our company has such a wide range of careers. Just look beyond the field into what goes on behind the scenes. I’m looking forward to what the future has for MFA and the new products and services we will offer. I hope to be a part of it. 

A graduate of the University of Missouri with a major in agricultural systems management, Paige Schanzmeyer joined MFA in 2019 and is assistant manager of MFA Agri Services in Boonville, Mo. She is among the emerging leaders honored as this year’s “Rising Stars” by the Agricultural Retailers Association.