Agronomists Bios - Wilco Cooperative

Brian Cruickshank

Brian grew up in the Dayton area where he worked on the family farm. Brian graduated cum laude from Oregon State University, where he studied agriculture and fish and wildlife. He began working for Wilco in 2007. He continues to help his father and brother on the farm in his spare time. In his time with Wilco, he has enjoyed building relationships and providing field services for growers. Brian is looking forward to continuing his career with Wilco and providing his knowledge with growers.

Whiteson Agronomy Center | 503‐437‐0726 | bcruickshank@wilco.coop

Brian Wood

Brian has been providing technical services in Christmas trees, vegetable, nursery and grass seed crops since 1977. He is licensed by the American Society of Agronomy as a Certified Crop Adviser. Brian has worked in the Harrisburg area since 1989 and has been actively involved with the professional organization Oregon Society of Weed Science.

Harrisburg Agronomy Center | 541‐501‐5804 | bwood@wilco.coop

David McCready

David, grew up in Lebanon, graduated from Oregon State University and has been providing field services to growers since 1980. In addition to his strong grass seed knowledge, he has also been an area salesman for CropLan. David is certified by the American Society of Agronomy as a Certified Crop Adviser.

Harrisburg Agronomy Center | 541‐501‐5808 | dmccready@wilco.coop

Dennis Thorud

Denny was born and raised in the Hillsboro area and grew up on Sauvie Island. As a young man he worked for many of the farmers and ranchers that are still his customers today. Denny has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomic Crop Science from Oregon State University. After college Denny spent a few years in northern Canada hunting and trapping, but also working for local farmers. In 1982 Denny settled down and went to work for Cenex Full Circle in Hillsboro, OR as an Agronomist. After 24 years of experience, and through many changes, he is still at it. Denny became part of the Wilco team in November 2006. He is looking forward to representing Wilco Agronomy to his growers for many years to come.

Cornelius Agronomy Center | 503‐750‐8176 | dthorud@wilco.coop

Ernie Claassen

Ernie grew up in the Scio area. He has been part of the agronomy team at Wilco since 1994. He graduated from Oregon State University's Crop Science Department in 1991 and worked on a large grass seed farm in the Tangent area before joining the Wilco team. Ernie's expertise is in both cannery and grass seed crops. He also likes the challenges of working on vegetable seed crops and Christmas trees. Ernie has been a Certified Crop Advisor since 1995. He enjoys working with the growers in the area and believes Wilco Farmer's success is in helping their members realize the best crops and the best profits.

Stayton Agronomy Center | 503-932-8547 | eclaassen@wilco.coop

Don Severin

Don grew up in the Mount Angel area where he farmed with his brother before joining the Mt. Angel Agronomy team. He has been providing field services to growers since 1986. Don is very focused on helping his customers succeed. He enjoys the close relationships that have developed over the years with his customers as well as the level of trust between them. The American Association of Agronomy has licensed Don as a Certified Crop Adviser.

Mt. Angel Agronomy Center | 503‐991‐6710 | dseverin@wilco.coop

Jim Howells

Jim is a Certified Crop Advisor and has been working with Wilco (starting with Full Circle in 1983) in Tangent and surrounding areas. The primary crops Jim has worked with are grass seed, clover, hazelnuts, berries, vegetables, and pasture crops.

Tangent Farm Store | 541-936-1193 | jhowells@wilco.coop

George E. Pearce

George has been a member of the Ag team since April of 1976. He began his agronomy career as a driver for a year, then operated the fertilizer plant for 10 more years. George has been actively consulting since 1986. In 1998, George became the fertilizer plant manager. He has also been the President of the Western Washington Horticultural Society. George always uses the three L's to best service his growers; Look, Listen, and Learn. At the end of the day, George wants to ensure his customer's successful harvest.

Chehalis Agronomy Center | 360‐269‐7161 | gpearce@wilco.coop

Jared D. Heuberger

Jared grew up in Sublimity, OR helping on the family farm until coming to Wilco. Jared still helps his father and older brother on the farm during the busy season as much as possible. Jared graduated from Oregon State University at the La Grande, OR campus in 2006 with a major in Crop and Soil Science. He started with Wilco in the spring of 2007. Jared has a consultant's license for Oregon while he is working toward becoming a certified crop advisor.

Mt. Angel Agronomy Center | 503-932-3077 | jheuberger@wilco.coop

Mike Wilhoit

Mike is from an Oregon pioneer family, with ancestors arriving by horseback in 1840. His family has been farming Hazelnuts for over 70 years. He was raised in and still lives in Newberg, and graduated from Pacific University. Mike has previously been president of Nut Growers Society of OR, WA, and British Columbia, and has managed large multi-crop farm/sales operations (7,500 acres). As part of his crop management experience, he has worked with crops including hazelnuts (largest private grower in the Willamette Valley), large acreage in organic blueberries, Christmas trees, walnuts, wheat, pinot noir grapes, and an ornamental nursery. Mike is a consummate professional who is completely committed to Oregon agriculture.

Willamette Valley | 503-569-0186 | mwilhoit@wilco.coop

Kevin Aman

Kevin grew up on a small farm in the Mount Angel area. He attended Oregon State University and majored in Crop Science. He is licensed by the American Society of Agronomy as a Certified Crop Adviser. Kevin has been providing technical services in Filberts, row crops, nursery, and grass seed since 1987. He still helps operate the family farm with his brothers, Tim and Tom.

Donald Agronomy Center | 503-209-8014 | kaman@wilco.coop

Paul Camuso

Paul grew up in Pennsylvania on a small farm. He moved to Oregon in 1984 and began working at and attending Oregon State University. In addition to the Crop Science degree he earned, his work experiences include the O.S.U. Soils Lab, Research Assistant in Grass Seed Production and Research Assistant for Dupont Company. Each of these positions has given him a very unique understanding of our industry. Paul is licensed by the American Association of Agronomy as a Certified Crop Adviser.

Stayton Agronomy Center | 503-932-8548 | pcamuso@wilco.coop

Tim Aman

Tim was raised on small farm in the Mount Angel area with his brothers Tom and Kevin. He graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Agriculture. He immediately assumed a position with Wilco and has been key in Wilco's efforts to help its members be more profitable. Tim is endorsed by the American Society of Agronomy as a Certified Crop Adviser.

Donald Agronomy Center | 503-209-8013 | timaman@wilco.coop

Sam White

A senior agronomist, Sam has been with Wilco and West Valley combined for over 20 years. Sam's knowledge as an Certified Crop Adviser and his experience with Willamette Valley crops makes him a leading specialist in grass seed production.

Whiteson Agronomy Center | 503-437-4043 | swhite@wilco.coop

Scott Jansen

Scott Jansen grew up in the Banks/Forest Grove area working on a small farm from high school through college. He graduated from Eastern Oregon University with a Bachelor's Degree in Crop and Soil Sciences. After college he began working for Pacific Harvest as an inside sales/ fertilizer applicator. In 2007 he assumed the role of agronomist and has been providing services for growers ever since. Scott's dedication to, and love for agriculture has been essential to his success. He's fully committed to his growers profitability.

Cornelius Agronomy Center | 503-209-3793 | sjansen@wilco.coop

Tom Aman

Tom grew up in Mount Angel area with fellow brothers and agronomists Tim and Kevin Aman. Tom and his brothers still farm the "home place" as their time allows. Tom graduated from Oregon State University and has been providing field services to growers since 1982. Tom is licensed by the American Society of Agronomy as a Certified Crop Adviser. He is considered one of the best fieldmen in the Willamette Valley and was the first recipient in Oregon to receive the Western Crop Protection Association's "Crop Adviser Stewardship" award.

Mt. Angel Agronomy Center | 503-991-6724 | taman@wilco.coop

Field Technicians

Dustin K. Ballard

Dustin grew up in the Monroe area and graduated from Western Oregon University with a B.S. in Education. Upon completing college Dustin served 8 years on active duty as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his Marine Corps service he moved back to Oregon to raise his family. Dustin has been with Wilco since April of 2008. As a new member of the Agronomy team he has dedicated himself to professional development through continuing education with the goal of becoming a Certified Crop Advisor.

Harrisburg Agronomy Center | 541-501-5806 | dballard@wilco.coop

Jim M. Gerig

Jim was raised on a small farm East of Salem in the Fruitland area. He spent much of his childhood helping in his family’s greenhouse and in high school grew tomato starts for a local farmer. Jim graduated from Oregon State University spending his summers working on a Stayton area farm that raised grass seed, mint and vegetables. Most recent Jim has been an Intern at the Wilco Agronomy center in Stayton. He is the Field Tech at the Donald Ag Center and is excited to grow in experience at this location. Jim’s goal is to seek innovative ways to contribute to grower profitability

Donald Agronomy Center | 503-576-0622 | jgerig@wilco.coop

Scott J. Sinn

Scott grew up in Silverton, OR. During high school and college he worked on his uncles’ farm. Scott graduated from OSU in 2002 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Crop Science. Since then, he has worked as a research assistant for a hybrid corn seed company in Nebraska and for a vegetable seed company here in Oregon. Scott is licensed by the American Society of Agronomy as a Certified Crop Advisor.

Mt. Angel Agronomy Center | 503-849-6593 | ssinn@wilco.coop

Steve M. Vangrunsven

Steve grew up in Washington County near Verboort, working on a large farm through high school. Steve attended college at Eastern Oregon University and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University in Crop and Soil Sciences with a minor in Ag Business. Steve started working for Wilco in 2007 as an applicator and inside sales assistant and is now a licensed chemical consultant. He is currently the Field Tech at Cornelius and he enjoys building relationships with growers and helping them find ways to become more profitable.

Cornelius Agronomy Center | 503-781-2251 | svangrunsven@wilco.coop