Employee Story

For retiring AgWest insurance agent George Harris, helping Oregon agricultural producers gain financial protection for their commodities has never been just a job. It’s been his calling.  

When he joined AgWest’s Salem branch in 2006, few agents in the state were offering farmers in the Willamette Valley affordable options for crop coverage, and even fewer farmers saw its value.  

Previously, George had been selling a variety of insurance products, including agricultural farm package policies, but he wanted to focus on crop insurance exclusively.  

“There were so many changes happening in the industry; crop insurance was evolving and expanding to include revenue insurance for wheat, and new programs were being developed. To stay on top of it, you had to do it full-time,” he says. “My goal was to change how people viewed crop insurance in our area.” 

And that he did. George was the first and only agent in the Salem branch, but he brought a determination and perseverance that couldn't be stopped. Today, the Salem insurance team is comprised of five staff and a thriving book of business. AgWest’s insurance portfolio in Oregon, once negligible, is now helping provide peace of mind and risk mitigation for farmers and ranchers in every area of the state.  

With several hundred different crops grown in the fertile Willamette Valley, many of them specialty, George has had no shortage of potential customers. Many grow grass seed, wine grapes, wheat, blueberries and hazelnuts. Nurseries and micro-farms, including wasabi and kiwi berry, are also among his customers.  

George and his wife, Pati, are no strangers to farming. Together, they own and operate a small nursery, Garden Thyme, on their six acres in Silverton, outside of Salem, where they grow perennials, herbs and about 16,000 vegetable starts. As a farmer himself, he knows how important it can be to have baseline coverage for losses from heat, freeze, too much or too little precipitation, water restrictions, pests, diseases and, in some cases, market declines.  

George recalls one vineyard customer who, while away on vacation eight months after purchasing insurance, realized his crop had been demolished by hail.  

“I got a call asking, ‘Am I covered?’” George says. “I was happy to tell him he was. He got a significant payment during his first year owning the policy.”    

Two very challenging periods in recent history presented important ways for George to serve customers. In 2020, devastating wildfires raging in Oregon resulted in a large amount of Pinot Noir grapes being damaged by smoke. Grapes were rejected by buyers due to smoke damage, and only 15% of the state’s vineyards were insured. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns led to more widespread use of technology like video conferencing and webinars. Again, George saw an opportunity to help.  

After reaching out to several vineyard customers in the wake of the fires about the value of crop insurance, he was invited to participate in a webinar for the members of the Oregon Winegrowers Association. In the 45 days that followed, he wrote a record 50 new policies, ensuring the livelihoods of these new customers were protected in the event of a catastrophe. 

“I had never written that many policies in a single year,” he recalls. “Instead of spending time on the road, I could help more people more quickly [on video conference], and they could sign electronically. Protecting that many more growers at once was amazing.” 

After 20 years with AgWest, George has retirement plans set for January and is busy transmitting his knowledge and experience to his colleagues in Salem. He’s confident he’s leaving his legacy in good hands.  

“It’s really exciting, especially because [my team] has a passion for their job,” he says. “That’s so key for anyone to be successful in what they’re doing.” 

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