What are the responsibilities and job description for the Agronomist position at Walther Farms?
Description
Walther Farms is a 3rd generation family-owned business headquartered in Southwestern Michigan. Beginning in the 1940’s, the company expanded from a few vegetable acres to what is now one one of the largest growers of potatoes in the United States for the potato chip and fresh table markets. For more information about Walther Farms, please visit our website: www.waltherfarms.com
The Agronomist role will be responsible for managing agronomy and ensuring the healthy production of the potato crop at our Three Rivers, MI location.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Measures harvest yield and quality against forecast.
- Trains Field Managers on crop scouting for weeds, insects and diseases and schedules irrigation for optimal field yield. Inspects fields weekly during growing season and assists with bruise testing, monitors pulp temperatures and diseases in storage areas.
- Measures and monitors quality control of product during seed cutting, planting and harvesting.
- Provides recommendations for cover crops, fall tillage and fumigation.
- Assists with data collection of petioles, stem counts, seed cutter performance and planter performance and makes recommendations based on data collection. Assists with assessment of yield and quality of sugars, size profiles and defects.
- Assists with selecting fertilizer and chemicals needs for operation. Monitors chemical inventories, orders products and coordinates with custom applicators.
- Maintains Agronomy Handbook to include Standard Operating Procedures and chemical and fertilizer recipes.
- •Evaluates prospective new farming areas by reviewing soil tests and irrigation water availability. Calculates seed warm up plans according to dormancy of seed and target plant date.
- Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and
- responsibilities to this job at any time.
Requirements
Required Skills/Experience:
- Minimum of 2 years Agronomist or farm experience.
- Extensive knowledge in plant and soil science
- Proficient with Microsoft Office products to include PowerPoint, Access, Word and Excel, Outlook.
- Able to provide general direction to various team members
- Able to work in a team environment and possess excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills.
- Preferred Skills/Experience:
- Experience in the potato industry
Required Education:
Required Education/Certifications:
Bachelors Degree in Plant or Soil Science or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid driver’s license