Title: Regional Manager, Simplot Grower Solutions
Location: Guadalupe, California
Age: 31
Tyler started his career with Simplot as an Intern, moved into operations support for night application for a little over a year, shifted into a Crop Advisor position, then went to become Market Manager for the coastal market, and now serves as Regional Manager for the Southwest region.
Title: Crop Advisor, Simplot Grower Solutions
Location: Cantua Creek, California
Age: 38
Having grown up on the westside of the San Joaquin Valley, Johnny is active in the community as a supported of Riverdale and Caruthers FFA, he’s the former president of the Riverdale Rodeo, and he’s coached youth t-ball. Johnny had held previous positions as a field checker and PCA. His application says, “he is active in the community, experienced in a wide array of crops and excels in grower relations.” Johnny served in the in the U.S. Navy from 2001-2006.
Title: Business Data Analyst, Asmus Farm Supply
Location: Rake, Iowa
Age: 26
Twitter: @GarrettAsmus
Garrett is the third generation coming into an established, respected ag retailer. He’s also interned with FMC and run contract projects for FMC and BASF. He is a first responder, takes volunteer shifts with the Buffalo Center Ambulance, and is a fireman with the Rake Fire Department. He says, “I like to work with our agronomists and growers and make sure they have the business tools and data to optimize programs and production.”
Title: President/CEO, Big Cob Hybrids
Location: Seward, Nebraska
Age: 35
Twitter: @Bigcobhybrids
In 2009, Ben and a partner started Big Cob Hybrids, which focuses on a unique process to select and place hybrids. He says his favorite part of the business is working with farmers and finding success saying, “People still want to work with people that care.” This year, during the COVID-19 pandemic Ben bought meals for employees from four local restaurants three days a week in an effort to help support those businesses.
Title: Agronomist, Asmus Farm Supply
Location: Rake, Iowa
Age: 37
Twitter: @jrchristensen34
As a CCA, Jason partners with growers to make sustainable recommendations to optimize production. He’s also a stakeholder in his family’s farm, which he says, “being able to be on both side of the desk is a huge advantage as customers have even more trust in my recommendations.” Jason is involved in the local fire department.
Title: Services Program Manager at WinField United
Location: Arden Hills, Minnesota
Age: 34
Twitter: @dannycormier
Dan has been instrumental in the building of WinField United’s grower financing platform SECURE. He has also contributed to the development and acceleration of services including Advanced Acre Rx and Impact Rx. Dan has also been a loyal volunteer with Meals on Wheels for the past decade.
Title: Associate Manager, Customer Support at GreenPoint Ag
Location: Decatur, Alabama
Age: 25
As the lead for GreenPoint Ag Sustain, Savanna works to market and promote the program, train staff, recruit growers and collect data. She has played a key role in partnership with Truterra and the US Cotton Trust Protocol. She is active in her church and has a passion for mentoring, including being very active in recruiting for GreenPoint Ag’s intern program.
Title: CFO, Texhoma Wheat Growers, Inc
Location: Texhoma, Texas
Age: 24
Ethan serves as Chief Financial Officer but is always looking at ways to help the bottom dollar at the retail store. He worked to integrate new lines of feed, and he goes out of his way to deliver feed. He’s very involved in the community including 4-H and FFA, as well as being a youth leader at his church. And he’ll regularly help local farmers by checking on livestock or driving a truck or tractor during harvest.
Title: Sales Agronomist, Hefty Seed
Location: Wood River, Nebraska
Age: 30
Twitter: @JoshuaDexter
In his role, Josh shares his “unparalleled knowledge and solutions for any row crop questions.” He’s previously worked as an agronomist at two ag retail cooperatives, and his favorite thing about his role in ag retail is helping farmers be successful. He’s involved with his local Catholic church.
Title: Crop Advisor, Simplot Grower Solutions
Age: 33
Having grown up on a farm, Amarinder enjoys finding creative ways to solve problems. His nomination cited his “exceptional customer service and relationships.” He’s involved in various community events in the Bakersfield area.
Title: Crop Protection Marketing Manager, WinField United
Location: Arden Hills, Minnesota
Twitter: @beanboycorey
Age: 28
Corey has responsibilities covering the state of Minnesota and supports WinField United retailers with grower calls, Answer Plot grower events, and product training. His takes a creative approach to his role as an CCA including launching the “MidWeek Review” enewsletter for farmer customers, which has since spun into a weekly EZ Insights video series, as well as pursuing an MBA with an emphasis in finance. He has served for both the state soybean and corn checkoffs and leads the University of Minnesota campus recruitment for WinField United.
Title: Applicator. Tabor Lumber Coop
Location: Tabor, South Dakota
Age: 21
Described as an all-around team player, Carson wears many hats including his primary role of applicator. He started at Tabor Lumber Coop as an intern and has consistently demonstrated great initiative and sound judgment.
Title: Agronomist, Heartland Cooperative
Location: West Des Moines, Iowa
Age: 34
As sales agronomist, John serves farmers through three of the co-op locations positing seed, crop protection, fertilizer and precision ag services. While being the co-op’s highest grossing salesman, he applies his advocacy for soil health, conservation practices and improving water quality. He’s president of his neighbor’s homeowner’s association, on the school PTO board and a Polk County Fair volunteer.
Title: Owner, Fouch Agri-Service
Location: Grand Junction, Iowa
Age: 36
Twitter: @FarmerFouch
Dustin started the Channel dealership with his wife, Megan, in 2007, and they have since expanded to include seed treating, short line equipment and crop insurance. Ten years after the business started, a new headquarters was built on Main Street of Grand Junction. Fouch Agri-Service regularly sponsors youth events including Little League teams and Greene County Fair events.
Title: Sales Agronomist, Crop Service Center
Location: Abilene, Kansas
Age: 24
Now in his third role in the ag retail industry, Trent is a CCA who “genuinely strives to see producers succeed.” Per his nomination, he “strives to build the business and demonstrate that that CCA oath he took is truly meaningful and more than just a signature on a paper.” Trent is currently a Kansas Corn Ambassador for the Kansas Corn Growers Association.
Title: Market Manager, Simplot Grower Solutions
Bakersfield, California
Age: 32
With previous roles as a field scout and in water management, Jon has a breadth of experience he applies as a leader with crop advisors on the Simplot Grower Solutions teams. His nomination referenced how he is “exceptional at grower relations” as he applies a principle to help guide growers with options that best serve their business. Jon is a director and board member of the King County Farm Bureau and sits on the King County Fair Foundation board.
Title: Salesman, Rock River Lumber & Grain Co.
Location: Morrison, Illinois
Age: 36
Although his primary responsibilities are selling seed, fertilizer and crop protection, Jeremey is a jack of all trades and regularly lends a hand when needed with blending and application equipment as well. From his application, he excels at “being about to present new industry concepts to growers.” He is actively involved in the county’s Young Farmers organization and Farm Bureau, he’s been superintendent of the Carroll County sheep show, and he serves on his church board.
Title: Yield Point Specialist, CHS Rochester
Age: 29
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
Twitter: @mgehling24
As the lead of a soil sampling program covering tens of thousands of acres, Michael leads the team in all fertilizer and planting prescriptions. He’s also an ace at troubleshooting equipment and technology issues with farmers. His application cited “work ethic and determination to do the best possible for every grower we work with.” He has a passion in educating school-aged kids about agriculture.
Title: Crop Advisor, Simplot Grower Solutions
Age: 38
Location: Lamesa, Texas
Brad has managed a 3,000 acre cotton farm, been a commercial fertilizer applicator and now works as a crop advisor at Simplot. His application says, “he is well respected in his community for his efforts to improve customers’ farming operations.” He serves as the vice president of the Borden County Junior Livestock Association.
Title: Key Account Manager, WinField United
Age: 32
Location: Jackson, Minnesota
Kylla works with agronomy business leaders across Minnesota to create strategic plans. Her nomination said her most recognizable characteristic is her passion to serve people in agriculture, and she is relentless in her pursuit to find innovative ways to create value for ag retailers and help them accelerate their ability to create value for the grower of tomorrow. She is an FFA career development volunteer and a mentor at the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences.
Title: Area Manager, Ag Resource Management
Age: 39
Location: Garner, North Carolina
Chad directs the market activity for the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, and he applies a tremendous passion for service and solves grower's financial problems with a true servant's heart and their profitability at the center of every decision. His nomination form said, “His desire to keep farmers farming is unsurpassed in the industry.” Chad has supported and volunteered for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and served on the board of the Carey Emergency Management Services.
Title: Business Unit Lead, WinField United
Age: 36
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Twitter: @aivey_5
As the lead for its Western Business Unit, Adam manages 32 WinField United team members across ag technology, digital e-commerce, seed product sales, crop protection product sales and technical product experts. His nomination said, he has “been instrumental in shaping the independent retail and locally owned cooperative seed go-to-market strategy around choice management and the need to navigate an ever changing economic and trait landscape.” Adam is a member of the Land O Lakes Young Professionals Network and the University of Tennessee at Martin alumni group.
Title: Precision Ag Manager, Valley Agronomics
Age: 32
Location: Nampa, Idaho
Conner spearheaded the cooperative’s efforts to standardize its precision ag offering. He has also led training and internal adoption of technologies, including implementing a digital engagement e-commerce platform. His nomination stated, “he works diligently to bring digital tools and solutions to his customers.” Conner serves his local community as a youth mentor and youth group leader, and he’s worked with the local school district in developing a pathways to career program in agriculture. Connor has also volunteered with a group here in American Falls called Read, Talk, Play that promotes early childhood education.
Title: Crop Advisor, Simplot Grower Solutions
Age: 34
Location: College Station, Texas
Judson’s role primary focuses in serving pasture and rangeland customers and per his nomination “his recommendations on his large ranches have increased forage quality and production to allow increased herd sizes while maintain optimal cattle growth.” He is involved in his church and the Round Top community.
Title: President, Mumme’s
Age: 33
Location: Hondo, Texas
Twitter: @blowe87
Overseeing all grain, feed ingredient and retail activity, Brendon also manages the development of new sales markets and facility improvements. Per his nomination, Brendon’s favorite role in ag retail is building relationships with customers, and those customers value his expertise. He’s active in the Lion’s Club, Texas Grain and Feed Association, Texas Deer Association, Coastal Conservation Association, Texas Wildlife Association, National FFA Alumni Association, Medina County Livestock Show Committee, South Texas Country Elevators Association, and Purina Emerging Dealer Council.
Title: Crop Advisor, Simplot Grower Solutions
Age: 31
Location: Dumas, Texas
Tyler’s nomination noted his understanding of the business from the farm to the delivery service. In his role as crop advisor he is honest and upfront in helping farmers grow their business, and he enjoying teaching and learning about new things. Tyler is involved in the West Texas A&M alumni association and the White Deer Riding Club.
Title: Marketing Manager, Smith Fertilizer and Grain
Age: 39
Location: Knoxville, Iowa
Rob plays a key role in Smith Fertilizer and Grain’s online presence. He works with technology behind the scenes to relay high-quality information from SFG’s agronomy and animal nutrition experts to farmers in South Central Iowa. Rob oversees the company’s website and social media profiles, and is co-producer of the weekly video blog SFG Top Performance. Outside of work, Rob has served as platform chair for the Appanoose County Democratic Party, rules committee member for The Iowa Democratic Party 2nd Congressional District, and assistant coach for his son's baseball team. Currently he serves on the Congregation Council of First Lutheran Church, Centerville, and is an active member of both Jackson Masonic Lodge #42 and Iowa York Rite. When he is not at the office Rob enjoys reading, woodworking, and being outdoors.
Title: Crop Advisor, Simplot Grower Solutions
Age: 36
Location: Wheatland, Wyoming
Kyle regularly goes “above and beyond” in his service to his customers. He is responsible for scouting and input recommendations. As he has built his career in ag retail, his nomination form cites he has “assumed leadership role at every junction and has helped whenever needed.” Kyle has volunteered as a youth basketball coach, and has volunteered with FFA and 4-H.
Title: Growing Forward Specialist, Farm Credit Mid-America
Age: 24
Location: Sugarcreek, Ohio
Twitter: @MicahMensing
Through this position, he works daily with young and beginning farmers by providing financial education and overseeing the Growing Forward program for Ohio. He makes every person feel like they have a seat at the table and seeks opportunities to collaborate and engage people in the industry that he cares so much about. Micah recently was named winner of the Ohio Farm Bureau Discussion meet and is actively engaged in the Young Ag Professionals group within Ohio Farm Bureau. In addition to his Farm Bureau engagement, he has served Agriculture Future of America in a Student Advisory capacity as well as an industry professional. Micah is also engaged in more local capacities such as a FFA CDE judge and coach.
Title: Junior Partner, Lyssy & Eckel
Age: 30
Location: Poth, Texas
Marie has broad financial responsibilities for all five Lyssy & Eckel stores. She began her career at the retailer as a cashier, and she’s the third generation in her family business. Marie serves on the Poth City Economic Development Corporation.
Title: Field Sales, Dekalb/Asgrow
Age: 27
Location: Salem, South Dakota
Twitter: @maddyrabenhorst
As an agronomist Maddy works with farmers to improve the soil and yields in South Dakota, where she also actively farms with her husband. Her nomination noted she “deeply cares for these producers and their families physical, metal and financial health. She is a board member on the county conservation district and a board member on the local communications/internet board.
Title: Director of Nutrition Sales and Marketing, CFC Farm & Home
Age: 39
Location: Culpeper, Virginia
Katie is responsible for the company’s animal nutrition division, including sales and marketing, grain marketing, formulating customer rations and managing manufacturer relations. Her nomination noted her positive change on the business as she is “helping to grow the company, hiring a younger more diverse staff and building alliances with other organizations.” Katie is the director of a regional livestock show, President of the Virginia State Feed Association, on the Culpeper County Farm Bureau Board, a Class V Fellow of the Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results program, and a member of the county planning commission.
Title: Co-Founder & CEO, AgVend
Age: 31
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Twitter: @reicherttweets
On a day-to-day basis, Alexander works with current partners and prospective retailers to strengthen their relationships with their growers through the implementation of digital strategies. His application noted, “Alexander is a big believer in the role technology can play to connect the industry rather than disrupt it, and is very optimistic about the future of ag retail and agriculture as a whole.” Alexander is a strong supporter of the National FFA Organization and enjoys mentoring youth interested in agricultural technology. He also volunteers as a coach with a program for disabled sailors and regularly helps out at his community’s food bank.
Title: Production agronomist, Corteva Agriscience
Age: 31
Location: Constantine, Michigan
Hard-working and resilient, Kayla’s application noted how she is involved from start to finish in every project. Her people skills and passion have helped her maintain and grow business with a focus on partnerships and success. She volunteers with a local organization and shelter (R.I.S.E.) and works to raise funds and awareness for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Title: Seed and Trait Technology Development Representative, Bayer Crop Science
Age: 31
Twitter: @prestoschrader
Location: White Heath, Illinois
Across central Illinois, Preston supports all Bayer brands and licensees in the seed and digital ag business. He is committed to help retailers and farmers best use technology and maximize profitability. He is a CCA, and his research on hybrid response to management is used by retailers across the state. Preston is involved in the Piatt County Farm Bureau and enrolled in the Illinois Ag Leadership Program. He also hosts the Podcast, Focus on Agriculture.
Title: Agronomist, Bayer/Dekalb
Age: 41
Location: Lake Mills, Iowa
Matt serves farmers with crop scouting, soil testing, seed selection and seed services within a 35 mile radius of Storby Seed Sales. Per his nomination, he’s “on top of the latest ideas and new technology.” He displays great respect for all farmers he works with, farms himself, and he’s engaged in many local charities.
Title: Precision Ag Specialist, Southern States Cooperative
Age: 29
Location: Ranson, West Virginia
Twitter: @cwalls13
Cassie helps the sales team and farmers with Southern States’ precision ag programs, and she leads the satellite imagery program as well as the WinField United R7 suite of tools. She helped build the precision ag program in a territory where the tools and technologies were underutilized, and she did do masterfully by adding each piece and helping growers learn the full capabilities of each. She is active in helping the area’s FFA and 4-H programs, volunteers with the county development authority board, and works with Helping Hands Ministries to serve the homeless.
Title: Certified Crop Advisor, Carolina Eastern-Vail
Age: 25
Location: Salem, New York
Twitter: @CaroVail
Katherine works with several large-scale dairies and row crop farms focusing on recommendations for crop health and sustainability. She’s also CaroVail’s marketing lead and leads its initiative in the 4R Nutrient Management program. Katherine is also working toward her master’s in plant health management. She serves on the executive board of the New York State Agribusiness Association. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she organized a large milk donation to the Greenwich NY food pantry. In 2019, she organized the Toys for Tots drive for all CaroVail locations.
Title: Operations Manager, Southern States Cooperative
Age: 36
Location: Warsaw, Virginia
Eric began his career in ag retail as an applicator, and he’s also been on the precision ag team. Today, he leads operations at a retail location, including all data collection, as-applied maps and prescription data. Per his application, he is very detailed oriented and farmers trust him to have what they need for government programs and field management. He’s a volunteer with Little League baseball as well as Cub Scouts.
Title: Crop Advisor, Simplot Grower Solutions
Age: 31
Location: Eunice, Louisiana
Having grown up on a farm and still farming with a rice and crawfish operation today, John is driven to help farmers produce the maximum yields starting with the soil profile all the way through the harvest date. His nomination said he is an aggressive salesman who is focused on achieving and maximizing profitability. He is a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.