Expert Details

Soil and Crop Industry

ID: 736454 Illinois, USA

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|Diagnosed & Advised on Farmer Agronomic Issues| Conceptualized, Designed & Executed Digital Field Research| Theorized and Designed Web-based Tools| Consulted and collaborated on digital tool development| Created & Implemented Agronomic Training|

Multi-disciplined, experienced team member skilled in soil fertility, crop nutrition, nutrient uptake, and crop growth & development, accomplished in working in a business start-up environment . Constructed field research location, composed and executed sampling methods and field testing protocols for both calibration and validation of computer model and for scientific validation of pre-commercial and commercial crop nutrient and biologic retail products. Accomplished in customer field issue diagnosis and resolution. Competent adviser to company Government Relations team on agronomic science pertaining to soil and crop nutrient related Legislative and private governance and initiatives. Proficient in technical training creation and execution.

Expert has over 35 years experience in all areas of crop production (soil fertility, insects, diseases, weeds, crop physiology) of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, wheat, and oats and field research. He is a Certified Professional Agronomist, a Certified Crop Adviser and hold an MS degree emphasizing in soil fertility and soil science.

Education

Year Degree Subject Institution
Year: 1982 Degree: BS Subject: Field Biology Institution: University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Year: 1995 Degree: MS Subject: Agricultural Industries Soi/Soil Fertility Institution: University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Work History

Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2020 to Present Employer: Undisclosed Title: Founder/Principle Department:
Responsibilities:
Founder owner of company responsible for all areas of business. Purpose of company is to provide science-based guidance to manufacturers and retailers on soil biologics, biostimulants, and soil amendments that focuses on conveying how microbial and soil amendment products work and interact with fields and the environment. To equip manufacturers and retailers with the means means to develop customer-centric grower-field research, the ability to develop & convey clear product placement statements, that result in increased product portfolio adoption and manufacturer-to-farmer value-chain success
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2018 to 2020 Employer: Growmark Inc. Title: Crop Nutrient Technical Manager Department: Agronomy Sciences
Responsibilities:
Member of Agronomic Sciences team. Led science-based review of testing and adoption of crop nutrient related retail products in effort to reduce number of SKUs and occurrence of obsolete product inventory. Administered crop nutrients, soil nutrient cycle and plant & soil biology training of 400+ member crop sales team. Counseled and assisted Growmark Government Relations team with agronomic science side of issues pertaining to crop nutrient stewardship and sustainability. Geographic area of responsibility Midwestern & Eastern United States and Ontario Canada

-Contributing member of The Fertilizer Institute’s 4R Nutrient Stewardship Committee, appointed to 4R Acre Definition sub-committee, tasked with methodology of reporting number of acres nationwide using 4R Practices.
-Developed and conducted introductory and advanced soil fertility, crop nutrient cycles, and soil biologics, training for beginner through senior crop sales personnel.
-Advised internal Government Relations Team on science pertaining to crop nutrient legislation, State-by-State Nutrient Reduction Strategy goals and memorandums of understanding with USDA, NRCS.
-Collaborated with upper management to create a science-based approach to reviewing testing and adopting pre-commercial (AgValidity) and commercial (MiField) retail products.
-Reviewed prospective crop nutritive, and biology-based products for scientific validity of product claims prior to internal testing.
-Designed 70+ testing protocols per year to test prospective and current portfolio products to define best use practices.
-Worked with Agronomy Project Manager to ensure proper field placement and correct implementation of protocols to limit confounding testing variables.
-Partnered with 3rd party developers to conceptualize and fully develop crop nutrient related science-based training modules across Growmark.
-Published 6-8 newsletter articles per year related to crop nutrient needs, nutrient uptake and utilization and nutrient soil cycles .
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2015 to 2017 Employer: The Climate Corporation, WOS Monsanto Company Title: Agronomic Scientist Department: Research
Responsibilities:
Effectively conceptualized, authored and facilitated both sampling measures/methods and field protocols that calibrated and improved biogeochemical-based soil fertility model. Average sampling budget across 3 years of $500K and 3 year capital investment of $375K.

-Collaborated with teammates of the Agronomy Research team in development of a sample intensive field research program, designed to facilitate an average of 900 acres of plots per 5 research locations, across three States.
-Developed and facilitated measure-intensive corn and wheat protocols and associated sampling methodologies resulting in 35K sample acquisition and analysis used to improve biogeochemical nitrogen model. Achieved 95% returned usable data collection across 2 years.
-Data collection from facilitated 2015 protocols contributed to 20% improvement in modeled versus measured values, delivering 40%+ accuracy improvement in soil moisture and temperature modeling.
-Guided and collaborated with the Soil Fertility team on correct utilization of data, providing agronomic counsel and education to a 4-person non-agricultural background team.

Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2012 to 2015 Employer: Monsanto Company, Inc. Title: IFS Technology Development Manager Department: Integrated Farming Systems
Responsibilities:
Created and executed commercial field testing requiring a paradigm to a digital GIS-based hybrid-by-environment testing program. Designed and wrote research testing program to match IFS modeling researcher needs. Testing program utilized by 200 technical agronomists, across 14 Monsanto seed brands on over 1K test plots planted.

-Led over 200 technical agronomists through paradigm shift in testing gaining 75% compliance in 1st season.
-Developed concept, led IT design and managed launch of web-based geospatial tool utilizing USDA, NRCS, soil Survey Geographic Database to obtain soil characteristics and for calculation of compound topographic index to ensure that soil environments represented in an area received ample testing to characterize hybrid-by environment response.
-Directed 1 intern through IT development of web-based too, resulting in successful launch and adoption of digital plot placement tool.
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2010 to 2009 Employer: Monsanto Company, Inc. Title: Technology Development Representative Department: Technology Development
Responsibilities:
Planned, executed and actively managed 100 acres of pre-commercial field trials, testing genetics, herbicides and both biotech and native traits in corn and soybeans. Research responsibilities included planting, herbicide application, harvest and field measurements and observations.

-Constructed 60-acre field testing location, including physical layout of plot locations and alleyway development, leading to 12+ field plots managed per season.
-Managed 40-acre satellite location, consisting of 8+ plots each season.
-Trained and managed 2 interns during tenure that aided in recording of some research measurements and observations and maintained upkeep of testing locations.
-Maintained 98% average return of data per season from 20 internal managed plots and 20 external corn/soybean product advancement plots located on cooperator farms.
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2007 to 2010 Employer: Monsanto Company, Inc Title: Territory Agronomy Adviser Department: Asgrow/Dekalb Seed Sales
Responsibilities:
Administered agronomic, biotech trait and product knowledge training in 21 Illinois and 2 Wisconsin counties serving seven Territory Sales Managers and their respective dealers. Conducted product-agronomic related training sessions with dealers and Territory Sales Managers. Assisted sales force with challenging service calls regarding agronomic and product challenges. Summarize product, trait and seed treatment observations. Reviewed plot data for integrity, provide product performance summaries to sales force and publish yield reports at external website. Provided input for agronomic based newsletter, general agronomic and Crop Alert publications for external and internal use. Managed relationships with 7 key growers and 7 key dealers. Product lines handled: corn, soybeans and alfalfa
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1997 to 2007 Employer: Pioneer Hi-Brid/DuPont Title: Field Sales Agronomist Department: Seed Sales
Responsibilities:
Provided agronomic, technology and product knowledge training and their associated services for sales team, customers and prospects in a 5 to 13 county area in northern Illinois. Assisted sales force with service calls regarding agronomic and product challenges. Conducted product-agronomic related plot tours and customer meetings. Managed, observe and summarize yield and agronomic trait data for commercial and final phase research based plot program. Provided input to research on product advancement. Developed relationships with key growers. Trained 25 Sales Reps to take CCA exam. Co-manage sales team of 25 individuals. Product lines managed: corn, soybeans, alfalfa, wheat and inoculants.

Career Accomplishments

Licenses / Certifications
Certified Crop Adviser 1997
Certified Professional Agronomist 2006

Fields of Expertise

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