SOURCE Magazine Winter 2023 | Page 30

GROWMARK System leadership discusses strategy at County Farm Centre
28 SOURCE | Winter 2023

Reunited ( and it feels so good !)

GROWMARK System leadership discusses strategy at County Farm Centre

Juli Paladino , Marketing and Communications Manager , FS PARTNERS & UPI Energy FS jpaladino @ growmark . com
Situated on the north side of Lake Ontario is the municipality of Prince Edward County . It is comprised of 390 square miles of shoreline , viticulture , rolling farmland , and vacation paradise . It is also home to FS member County Farm Centre .
In late November , the FS Ontario System General Managers , Division Manager , Agronomy Managers , and special guests gathered at the Waring House in Picton , Ontario , for the first time in over two years .
This event represented the first time that leadership groups came together to have significant conversations about positive growth , technology and programs coming down the pipeline in Ontario agriculture . Special GROWMARK features included GROWMARK Updates and Forward Strategic Initiatives from Mark Orr , GROWMARK ’ s Chief Executive Officer , and Mark Weilbacher , EVP Member Resources .
Other sessions included : Crop Nutrients with Kreg Ruhl and Lane Danielson , Crop Protection , Seed Update with Keith Lawson , Marketing and Innovation with Lance Ruppert , and Crop Protection Task Force with Steve Rongits . GROWMARK Ontario Strategic Agronomy Manager Don McLean reviewed Ontario ’ s Agronomy Marketing and Recognition Programs .
FS attendees were invited to join a driving tour of the Belleville FS Systemsupported County Farm Centre fertilizer , chemical warehouse and propane facility in Belleville . The Beattys highlighted the importance of investing in the right assets to support the future needs of the ag industry , as they have done with their increased warehouse space . This tour was a great example of what the FS System is doing right now across Ontario to position for future growth .
After such a long span without inperson meetings , this was an important opportunity for senior management and leadership to align together , learn from a strong fiscal year , and look forward to a successful year ahead .
Claude Gauthier , Executive Director of Operations in Ontario comments : “ The time was well overdue to bring this level of knowledge and talent together in one room , face to face once again . We are grateful to County Farm Centre for showcasing Prince Edward County and their FS System partner strengths . “