Feeding a growing world requires many components: knowledge, science, humility and, honestly, a little luck sometimes. At Simplot, one piece of the science part of this convergence is agronomy. That’s the science of soil management and crop production.
The 6th annual One Simplot Agronomy Technology conference, “Exploring Science Through Agronomy,” recently brought together Simplot scientists and other Company experts from around the world. More than 100 people attended the event hosted at Simplot Headquarters.
One of those was Simplot Grower Solutions Director of Agronomy Sales Enablement Bobby Golden, who was also one of the conference organizers.
“Having all agronomists in from around the world shows our true scientific horsepower within Simplot,” Golden pointed out. “This knowledge spans business units and disciplines, all working to serve our customers and, ultimately, feed the world. I believe our team is second to none when we come together as One Simplot,” he added.
The organizers decided from the outset to take a different approach to the two-day event this year. They structured the conference to highlight Simplot’s vast pool of internal talent and provide constant activity while demonstrating our scientific innovations and accomplishments.
Simplot Chairman Scott Simplot and President and CEO Garrett Lofto shared their perspectives in remarks at the event as in previous years. And there were new features this year, like a Simplot Technology Showcase, mixing and mingling during “speed networking,” and the uber-popular agronomy trivia quiz.
More than 100 attendees participated in this agronomy-focused trivia contest held in the Auditorium at Simplot Headquarters in Boise. They answered more than 80 diverse – and hard! – questions to crown a champion – the “Top Agronomist.” SGS Senior Agronomy Sales Enablement Advisor Terry Helms took home the title against some very stiff competition.
Another fresh feature at this year’s conference highlighted both new and existing technologies that we're already advancing throughout the Company. These included showcases, along with short presentations by several Simplot experts.
At the end of the conference, one project presentation was honored with the Agronomy Excellence Award. This year’s winner was the team of Simplot Grower Solutions Digital Sales Supervisor Amanda Kerbs and Simplot Grower Solutions Crop Advisor Brian Dickson, both based in the Great Plains region.
Reflecting on the conference, Lofto highlighted the value of the sciences and agronomy coming together as One Simplot. “Marrying this all together helps us as an organization share our knowledge and really get down to the science of what actually allows us to process food, produce food and deliver to our customers,” he said. “It actually allows us to take ourselves to a whole different level, because if we harvest the power of the room versus just individuals then we have so much more collective capability or knowledge.”
Global Food Director of Agronomy Services Jolyn Rasmussen also shared her thoughts on this year’s conference.
“I always enjoy meeting with my peers and seeing the great work in agronomy across the company,” she said. “I appreciated the reminders on how important agronomy is to the J.R. Simplot Company; agronomy is mentioned in the strategies of all business groups and is key in fulfilling our mission of Feeding Our World.”
“I am proud to work in agronomy at Simplot where we have so much support and can make significant impact to the business,” she added.
You can find more information on AgriBusiness and Agronomy at Simplot here.
