Dan Dylla says the greenhouse located just steps outside of his classroom at USC High School is one of his favorite places to visit during the day. The warm sanctuary feels like an oasis of green on a cold January day.

According to Dan Dylla, America’s amber waves of grain shelter bright career prospects for future generations.

As an agriculture teacher at United South Central (USC) High School in Wells, Dylla does his best to make that future possible for every student who walks through his classroom door.

“I’m just the ag guy,” Dylla laughs, when asked what he teaches. His profession encompasses a wide range of subjects, however.

Just this semester, Dylla’s course schedule includes horticulture, plant science, natural resource management, a ninth-grade introduction to agriculture course, and an eighth-grade exploratory agriculture course.

As if this doesn’t keep him busy enough, Dylla also coaches USC’s wrestling team, now combined with Maple River High School.

“I love sports,” Dylla says. However, sports are clearly not his only love in life.

“I love agriculture, it’s awesome,” Dylla says even more enthusiastically.

It seems nothing can trump Dylla’s love for his students, however.

“I love working with kids,” Dylla says. “They make me laugh. They keep me young. They’re a blast.” 

“Kids want to learn,” he continues. “They haven’t changed much in 30 years. You just have to give them a reason to learn.” 

Dylla speaks from experience, having taught his subject for over three decades.

Though he grew up in Wells, graduating from the very high school he now teaches at in 1982, Dylla attended college out-of-state.

He received his degree in agricultural education from Iowa State University. He met his wife, Janet Dylla, a native of Des Moines, in Iowa as well.

After receiving his education, Dylla did not stay away from home for long. He returned to Wells soon after he attained his degree, and commenced his teaching career at USC in January of 1991.

Dylla took a short career detour before he found his calling.

“I was in sales for almost five years, but the down time drove me nuts,” Dylla laughs, adding that the fast-paced life of a teacher suits him much better.

“I’m a social person,” he notes. He uses his enthusiasm for people to encourage students to consider a career path brimming with opportunities.

“There are tremendous job opportunities in agriculture,” Dylla explains. “Most kids don’t know what they really want to do, and my job is to expose them to all the different types of careers in agriculture that are available.” 

Dylla continues, “Kids are finding out that jobs in agriculture are extremely employable, and the jobs are not low-paying.”

He shares it is not unreasonable for a person to secure a job in the field of agriculture with a salary of approximately $60,000.

Dylla’s own children have proven his point. Both have followed in his footsteps through successfully pursuing careers related to agriculture.

Dylla’s daughter, Whitney Sheely, is employed as an agricultural banker in Mankato. Meanwhile, his son, Dustin Dylla, is an agronomist.

Dylla hopes to see more young people consider careers in agriculture in the future. He notes employers in the field are eager to hire workers with knowledge and experience.

“There aren’t enough people with agricultural backgrounds,” Dylla explains, adding, “Some people in agriculture don’t quite understand the field. We could use more people who do.” 

In particular, Dylla encourages younger generations to consider careers requiring skills in both agriculture and technology.

“GPS mapping – precision agriculture – is huge,” Dylla says. “A lot of people my age don’t have that background in technology, but young people do.” 

Regardless of whether they pursue a career in agriculture or not, however, Dylla asks the same thing of each and every one of his students.

“I want them to expect more of themselves,” Dylla says.

“I’m extremely demanding as a teacher,” he continues.

Dylla sees the ability to expect more of yourself as a vital life skill. “When kids go to college, it’s important that they build habits to be successful,” he explains.  

Dylla concludes, “You don’t have to be the smartest guy in the world, you just have to work harder.”