A new venture

Many of you that see this blog know of my extensive involvement in Ag social media.  I immensely enjoyed the opportunity to work with a number of talented people across the agriculture industry.  We launched the AgChat Foundation over four years ago.  This past August, after serving for two years as the president of the Foundation, it seemed a good time for new leadership.  (And I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure I was ready to step down, but some honest, frank conversations with some gals I trust a lot helped me see that the passion and energy of my initial involvement was lacking.)  Since my role changed, I continue to serve as a board member and on the executive team, and am very comfortable that AgChat Foundation will continue to thrive under the leadership of new president, Jeff VanderWerff and executive director Emily Zweber, as well as the entire staff and board of directors.

I didn’t really have any plans, really did enjoy the non-profit work the last few years, but waaaay to soon an opportunity I couldn’t resist developed.  To make a long story short I am now a Channel Seedsman

Who is Channel?

Channel is a brand of Monsanto  (yea that evil, hated corporation).  Or seen another way, the clear leader in delivering innovative seed technology to the agriculture industry in the last 10-15 years.  Dekalb/Asgrow are the larger, more widely known Monsanto brands.  They are retail brands, available through many retail outlets around the country.  Channel is sold and serviced by independent dealers who are focused on the seed business and aim to provide exceptional levels of customer service.

Why did you do this?

I’m still asking myself that question!  But I see a tremendous opportunity. Long before I was involved in ag social media, I spent a lot of time in the precision ag field, collecting, evaluating, learning from data.  Channel’s vision is to deliver exceptional service.  For many, this means agronomic services and expertise.  I don’t stand in a corn field very often, but I have an intense interest and passion in what I refer to as data-driven agronomy.  Taking all available information, studying and learning from it to maximize the profit potential of every facet of the seeding operation.  While selling seed may be new for me, the passion for bettering production agriculture is not.

Are you crazy?

Possibly…   I fully understand seed sales is a highly competitive business and it’s no different in northeast Kansas, with many solid and well-run businesses offering seed and a variety of connected services to farmers.  Yet, I’m excited for the opportunity to combine the technology from the leader in this industry, with a brand that is focused on service, to work to deliver value to the local farming community.