The ‘Most Interesting Man In Agriculture’ Rides Into The Sunset
July 6, 2016 
Dan Bellanger (left), with CropLife Associate Publisher Rick Welder, at one of the many industry events Dan has attended over his 50-year career in agriculture.
For anyone who’s spent the past two decades attending some of the biggest and most important annual trade shows and industry events, chances are you’ve run into industry veteran Dan Bellanger. With his quiet, friendly way, Dan could often be found chatting one-on-one with long-time industry friends about past visits to their offices (and homes) or discussing which Riesling wines were best across the U.S. He could also be spotted “holding court” with new contacts, talking just loud enough to be heard when making his point before closing the sale.
Dan began his career in 1966, working for Monsanto in St. Louis. His Army National Guard unit was activated May 1968, and he returned to Monsanto full time joining the IT department in late 1969. He eventually worked his way into the agriculture department before going into business for himself in 1989.
In 1991 he joined K. Elliott Nowels and Clear Window Multimedia on Dealer Progress magazine and they eventually launched PrecisionAg Illustrated, and the PrecisionAg Buyers Guide with an aggressive strategy in the ag technology sector.
Clear Window Multimedia was acquired by Meister Media Worldwide (MMW) in 2000, and Dan has been a constant fixture in the CropLife® magazine family and its sister publications for more than 16 years now. At the end of May, Dan finally decided it was time to retire from the business world-at-large to pursue “new adventures,” such as spending more time with his numerous grandchildren.
For those of us who have known him best, Dan has been “the most interesting man in agriculture” — a nod to the Dos Equis beer commercials spokesperson. And his presence at industry events going forward will certainly be missed.
So here’s to you, Dan! You were an excellent co-worker, industry friend, and consummate lover of life. May your retirement be as memorable as your years of service to all things agriculture!
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