Customer Story

When row-crop farmer Nate Garner was just 24, he was asked to be interviewed about cover crops for the local news. He felt ill prepared for the task at the time. “I didn’t have any training,” he says. “As farmers, we aren’t taught how to communicate effectively or compose ourselves. There was definitely a need there.”

In February, Nate completed the Leadership Idaho Agriculture (LIA) program, an intensive, four-month training course for agricultural professionals in the state looking to expand their skills, network and knowledge.

In November, the 30 participants in Class 45 met four days each month, learning how to interact with the media, resolve conflict and manage different personalities. They held caucuses, expanded their thinking, toured a variety of production sites, and perhaps most importantly, developed a network of friends and contacts.

As an owner/operator of Garner Farms, which produces sugar beets, potatoes and malt barley in Raft River, Idaho, Nate says he now feels prepared to take on any leadership opportunity ahead with the tools and skills he gained in LIA. “I knew a lot of people beforehand, but this really helped solidify those relationships, and acquire contacts I didn’t have before,” he says, adding that he has already leveraged those contacts in his involvement in water issues in his area.

AgWest also recognizes the value of these programs, sponsoring employees participating in leadership programs across several states and offering monetary support to the programs themselves. Matt Bruning, AgWest’s Senior Vice President of Credit for Idaho, completed the LIA program in February alongside Nate.

“Ag is what we’re all about,” he says. “Organizationally, we take a lot of pride in learning and development for employees and customers alike. There’s no better program [than LIA]. We can learn and grow as employees, and alongside our customers, who participate as well.”

For Matt, one of the biggest benefits of the program was networking with the variety of participants involved. From ag lenders and owners/operators to university employees and dairymen, row crop farmers, and fertilizer and production specialists, a wide representation of the agriculture industry was present, making for an enriching experience for all.

Doug Robison, Idaho State President for AgWest, says LIA has connected many people over the years.

“There was a need for leadership development, and it was really lacking, especially at a reasonable cost,” Doug says. “Having something like this available to producers across the state is pretty unique.”

Another aspect to LIA is an influential food producers’ group within the larger organization, which plays a key role in government and advocacy efforts on behalf of the industry. With agriculture executives serving in the group, it’s a powerful tool for accomplishing important initiatives.

Doug says AgWest is committed to developing leaders among its staff and customers, because it benefits both the industry and the organization down the line.

“I’m a strong advocate for our staff participating, especially if they are in a customer-facing role; it’s a great networking opportunity in addition to fantastic content,” he says. For Nate, the support from AgWest for the program speaks volumes. “It showed they had an interest in me and my success,” Nate says. “They let us use their facilities and personnel at every level. I was amazed. It solidified my thought of AgWest being one of the leading ag lenders in my area.”

One added benefit of going through a quality training program is the momentum that it creates. Since graduating from LIA, Nate has been appointed to the organization’s board of trustees and has become more involved. “A lot of us go through and it lights a fire, and you want to keep going,” he says, admitting that his calendar is busier as a result. “Now I have the opportunity and the know-how.”

Return to Customer Stories home page.