Crystal Valley farm cooperative based in Lake Crystal, Minn., is the 2019 Precision Farming Dealer Most Valuable Dealership. Pictured left to right: Jeff Hendricks, VP of Agronomy; Roger Kienholz, CEO; Matt Schoper, Agronomy Sales & Marketing Manager; Jason Leary, Ag Technology Manager; Cory Engen, Ag Data Specialist; Julie Lorentz, Precision Ag Administrator; Ben Youngerberg, Precision Specialist and Lucas Kietzer, Precision Equipment Technician. Not pictured, Kevin Jeurissen, Precision Ag Coordinator.
Connecting Decision-Making Dots to Retain Customers & Grow Revenue
While there is momentum for a “push button” mentality in ag, there is an irreplaceable element — the human one — which is the core resource for Crystal Valley, a 2,200-member, 14-location farm cooperative based in Lake Crystal, Minn.
Jack Zemlicka was the Managing Editor for Precision Farming Dealer. Since he joined Lessiter Media's Ag Division in 2012, he has covered precision farming practices, products and trends. He also served as managing editor of Strip-Till Farmer, and technology editor of Farm Equipment and No-Till Farmer.
Go behind the scenes with Chad Baker, co-owner of Baker Precision Planter Works in Orangeville, Ill., as he hits the road for on-farm visits and pre-season maintenance checkups. Baker helps a first-generation no-tiller prepare for planting season, and later runs into a couple big challenges with a customer’s new, high-speed, 24-row planter.
The college offers an associate degree in Applied Science in Agriculture (60 credit hours). Students enrolled in this program may specialize in precision farming technology by selecting up to 15 credit hours in this area and agriculture business, sales and agronomy.
The college offers an AAS in Precision Agriculture and customized precision ag- related training for agricultural producers, insurance underwriters, equipment dealer and agricultural cooperative employees and others.
Offering training on Ag Leader, Trimble, Reichhardt, Norac and Integris Systems in twice yearly customer training events (spring/fall). Also offering individual training opportunities on any HTS Ag products and SMS software, year round.
