Crop advisers Agrii has added five new specialist fruit advisers over the past year in response to customer demand for more bespoke agronomy and environmental advice.
Commenting on the appointments, Agrii head of fruit Kevin Workman explained that the expansion of the fruit team was due to increased demand for agronomy services, but also reflected the evolving nature of the advisory role that extends beyond just crop protection.
“The new team are principally agronomists with backgrounds in soft, top and stone fruit, ornamentals and hydroponics, but their experience goes far beyond crop protection strategies. Careers on commercial farms and nurseries, with marketing groups or in specialist nutrition means they will enhance the capabilities of the wider horticulture team within Agrii,” says Mr Workman.
Robert Graham, 53, joined in January 2023 after spending more than 20 years managing a diverse soft and cane fruit production operation in mid-Kent.
“I was approached by a former colleague now also at Agrii and was impressed with the breadth of the employee training on offer, but also the company culture. This piqued my interest, but it was the vision for what an advisory role could be that excited me. The focus on sustainability and recognition of the need to find and develop new production methods reflected my desire to help growers meet tight market specifications while also being profitable,” says Mr Graham.
Also joining in 2023 was Emma Smith, 32. Based in Leominster, West Midlands, Miss Smith held a fruit production role with growing and management responsibilities. Her background in all classes of fruit, including hydroponic systems, brings valuable commercial acumen to the team as does her experience in various business administration roles outside horticulture.
“The move into agronomy followed an undergraduate degree in horticulture and several years in commercial production. It was the broad scope of the role that appealed to me, and it has been extremely rewarding since,” says Miss Smith.
Having completed the BASIS certificate in crop protection since joining Agrii, Miss Smith has also received a bursary from the LSA Charitable Trust to develop her knowledge and understanding of the horticulture sector, an opportunity which was fully supported by Agrii. Now working with clients in Herefordshire and the wider region, Miss Smith is seeking to add FACTS to her list of accomplishments.
Jonathan Garratt, 36, joined in December 2023 and is based near Cambridge. He has a background in ornamental crops stemming from his time as a technical manager growing hardy nursery stock. He also has a wealth of experience in trials and research having spent seven years with a major ag-chem manufacturer focusing on areas such as herbicide resistance and the development of novel technologies, including precision application systems. Jonathan joined after spending two years with a horticultural crop nutrition manufacturer in a technical advisory role.
“The move into commercial agronomy fulfils a long-term objective of mine,” says Mr Garratt. “It represents the opportunity to apply the breadth of my experience by combining the technical with the practical while demonstrating regard for the wider environment and positioning me to better support growers,” he says.
More recent additions to the team are Ryan Williams, 29 who joined in January, and Jason Steels, 34 who joined in February. Prior to joining Agrii, Mr Williams spent more than 10 years with top fruit marketing desk, Avalon Fresh Limited, where he was employed as an agronomist and advised on other technical aspects of top and stone fruit production.
I was excited by the opportunity to learn new crops, especially soft fruit and vines. Since joining, I have taken full advantage of the training programmes at Agrii to expand my skill set, from the soft skills needed to foster good customer relationships to training in soils and sustainable production systems. These have been useful in helping me develop both professionally and personally,” says Mr Williams.
Based in Spalding, Lincolnshire, Mr Steels joined from a regional distributor and agronomy business where he spent eight years working primarily with outdoor and protected soft fruit systems.
“I enjoy the technical aspects, especially the focus on biopesticides and the challenge of incorporating them into a programme that respects the principles of an integrated pest management approach. With biopesticides accounting for more than half of Agrii’s R&D focus, it is personally rewarding to be joining a business that shares my enthusiasm for innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions,” says Mr Steels.
Find out more about how Agrii can support you as a fruit grower here
