Mar 30, 2012

Recognizing top seed sales performers for Ontario GROWMARK System

This year, was the first year for the Winner's Circle seed sales incentive program for FS crop specialists in Ontario. Top seed sales performers along with their spouses were treated to an awards banquet complete with dining and entertainment while overlooking the falls from high up at the Marriott Fallsview-Niagara Falls.

Recognized for excellence in seed sales this year are:

Top marks went to Kent Wolfe of AGRIS Co-operative who reached PLATINUM level status followed by:

GOLD level achievers: Chris Snip of AGRIS Co-operative and  Nathan Saarloos of FS PARTNERS.

SILVER level: Dave VanCasteren, David Curry, Quentin Hopcraft, Tony Balkwill, Stefan Dewaele and Scott Snowe of FS PARTNERS and Mark McKerrall of AGRIS Co-operative.

BRONZE level:  Al Broad, Clark Aitken and Dan Vanek of AGRIS Co-operative and Sean Chase of FS PARTNERS.

AGRIS Co-operative Winners Circle team (L-R): FS crop sales specialist Mark McKerrall, seed specialist Scott Vandehogen, FS crop sales specialists Clark Aitken, Kent Wolfe, Chris Snip, Dan Vanek, senior agronomist Dale Cowan. Not present: FS crop sales specialist Al Broad.


FS PARTNERS Winner's Circle team (L-R): Andrew Troyer, sales & marketing manager, FS crop specialists Scott Snowe, David Curry, Tony Balkwill, Sean Chase, seed sales specialist Sean Dunnett, FS crop specialists Dave VanCasteren, Nathan Saarloos and FS PARTNERS division manager Frank Barron. Not present, FS crop specialists Quentin Hopcraft and Stefan Dewaele.


Mar 29, 2012

Certified Crop Specialist credentials earned by three FS agribusiness professionals

Nathan Saaloos-FS PARTNERS
Mitchell area crop specialist Nathan Saarloos with FS PARTNERS and Chatham area crop sales specialists John Couwenberg and Graham McLean with AGRIS Co-operative have all successfully completed the requirements necessary to hold credentials as a Certified Crop Specialist (CCS) in the FS Co-operative System. All three are already certified crop advisors in Ontario and this latest achievement of earning CCS status within the GROWMARK System is the next level up in their extensive agricultural training.

To earn the prestigious title of Certified Crop Specialist, candidates are required to successfully complete a series of comprehensive written and verbal exams designed to establish base standards of knowledge on the topics of nutrient management practices, integrated pest management, soil erosion and water quality. Among the skill sets assessed are technical knowledge; the ability to discover, identify and analyze yield-limiting factors from a grower’s field records; identify common pest problems and recommend economic treatment measures; discuss and analyze the economic aspects of crop production; and understand the need-identification process.

Graham McLean-AGRIS Co-operative
John Couwenberg-AGRIS Co-operative

The GROWMARK System prides itself in its commitment to provide employees with on-going training to ensure its farmer-customers are recieving the best technical expertise and recommendations to help them maximize yields and increase profits.

If you would like to send congratulations to Nathan Saarloos, John Couwenberg and Graham McLean, please do so by posting a comment below!