Keedy Tonn
Rick Ancel
AGRONOMY
Better availability for aerial application
This will be the second growing season Mid-County Agronomy has had a helicopter under contract for aerial applications . This means farmers have more control over when insecticide and fungicide spraying is available .
Scott Nelson Agronomy Manager ( 952 ) 466-3733
scottn @ midcountycoop . com
We can often get the helicopter the next day – or even the same day – of the request . Aerial applications are fast and efficient , and they leave no tracks , crop damage , or soil compaction . It ’ s an especially effective option during times of wet field conditions .
Farmers who are interested in trying this service should contact us early , so we can get everything set up and ready to go . Call ( 952 ) 466-3730 .
‘ They took a chance on me ’
Two non-farm kids started their agriculture career at Mid-County Coop
Keedy Tonn
Growing up on the east side of the Twin Cities , Keedy Tonn didn ’ t have much exposure to agriculture as a child . But the little bit she did know about it , she loved – and she wanted more .
Keedy often talked to friends from her dad ’ s hometown in Iowa about farming , asking questions and learning as much as she could . When she graduated from high school in 2014 , she decided to attend North Dakota State University for ag economics .
At the end of freshman year , Keedy knew she wanted to stay immersed in agriculture , and explored options for a summer internship . She heard about crop scouting at Mid-County Coop , and jumped at the chance to apply .
“ I remember my interview with [ Mid-County agronomy manager ] Scott [ Nelson ],” Keedy said . “ I told him flat-out , ‘ I don ’ t know anything , but that ’ s why I ’ m here .’ I told them I ’ d do anything , and they took a chance on me .”
Keedy remembers learning a lot that summer , and said the guys at Mid-County were “ super helpful .”
When she returned to NDSU , Keedy slightly shifted her field of study , and is now a junior majoring in crop and weed sciences , with a double minor in ag economics and equine sciences .
Keedy interned with WinField in North Dakota in the summer of 2016 , and plans to go back again this summer to a location in Wisconsin .
“ I ’ m so thankful to Mid-County , because that was the basis for everything ,” Keedy said .“ That was my very first time working in agriculture .”
Rick Ancel
Like Keedy , former Mid-County Agronomy intern Rick Ancel didn ’ t grow up on a farm , but had a passion for all things green and growing .
Ancel ( a native of Savage ) served as a crop scout intern at Mid-County in summer of 2014 , and as a sales / marketing intern the year after .
“ Without starting out at Mid-County , I probably would have had a hard time getting where I am now ,” he said .
In May 2016 , Ancel completed his degree in agricultural industries and marketing from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities .
“ The focus of my major is in crops and soils , so on top of business , my major focuses on agronomy , soil science , and applied plant science , along with world issues and solutions pertaining to agriculture ,” Ancel noted on his LinkedIn page .
After graduation , Ancel was hired for a two-year training program at WinField United . He initially served under a regional agronomist in southern Minnesota , where his responsibilities included applying pesticide treatments , soil / tissue sampling and analysis , crop research , and advising customers .
In January , WinField relocated Ancel to New Hampton , IA , where he works as an agronomy associate . He ’ s looking forward to helping farmers with their seed and chemical purchases , and making sure the growing season runs smoothly .
When he ’ s not at work , Ancel can be found hunting ( in the fall ), cooking , and reading . He also considers himself a “ music geek ,” although he doesn ’ t play an instrument .
Page 4 www . midcountycoop . com