Our Words All Make an Impact

From the time we learn to speak until the day we die, our words have impact. From the stinging words of a teenager, the soothing words of a grandmother, or the encouraging words of a teacher or parent, think about the things you have had said to you that have made an impact. Some were positive, some were negative; but every word matters.

Our words are not like a fishing pole; we simply cannot reel them back in if they are mean, denigrating, or hurtful. They are more like a golf ball shot into the ocean…irretrievable. This should give us pause and brings to light the often-used quote "God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason."

We all wish we could have things back that we have said too quickly or in the heat of the moment. But we cannot. However, with the fresh start of a new year, let’s use Proverbs 18:4 as our guide. It says, "A person’s words can be life giving water; words of true wisdom are as

refreshing as a bubbling brook." Let’s become better at refreshing others, encouraging others, and being more forgiving. Let’s improve our listening and try to understand others’ points of view. When we do, our world will quickly become a better place.

Abraham Lincoln said, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt." To gain more insight and wisdom on this topic, take some time to read, "Our Words Matter" elsewhere in this newsletter.

6245 Senior Grain Buyer - Eastern US

Highly respected, animal feed company is seeking a Senior Grain Buyer for their Eastern Region. The senior grain buyer will be responsible for procuring (negotiating & buying) and contracting for corn, soybeans, and wheat from local farmers and/or elevators.

3918 Grain and Agronomy Cooperative General Manager - Ohio

Financially strong Ohio cooperative with loyal workers and significant future growth potential is seeking a General Manager to take them to the next level. They are seeking a trustworthy leader who is farmer friendly, an excellent communicator, and has solid grain merchandising experience.

3924 Agronomy Plant Manager - Central Illinois

This role consists of sales, team leadership, and overseeing all day-to-day operations. The facility is current with the latest technology; the chem shed is being upgraded. Rolling stock is in "tip-top" shape. People resources are very good with an experienced team in place.

2068 Business Development - Dairy Industry Construction - United States

One of the country's premier agriculture construction companies is seeking someone who will be instrumental in expanding its market in the Dairy Industry. Based on its exceptional record of success in constructing poultry and swine operations throughout the United States, the company is setting its sights on the Dairy Industry. With the tremendous demand to upgrade older facilities and build new ones, the future in this recession-proof industry is tremendous.

5801 Grain Originator - South Central Illinois

A successful and rapidly growing grain company based in Central Illinois is seeking a motivated, outgoing individual to help expand its producer origination program. The successful candidate will work alongside the Lead Merchandiser to develop relationships with existing and new customers. You will help in implementing new risk management and origination strategies within the company.

6207 International Grain & Feed Ingredient Trader

An international agriculture trading company is seeking a Trader for their Southeastern US-based business. This is a great opportunity for someone with 3 to 7 years of trading grains and feed ingredient exposure or an experienced trader.

1259 Field Service Manager (Food Conveying Systems)

A well-established manufacturer of food conveying equipment is looking for an energetic and motivated Field Service Manager. As the Field Service Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring proper task management to troubleshoot, oversee the installation and startup of industrial/agricultural equipment, and assist in planning future projects. The ideal candidate should have 5 years of prior field service experience with a proven record of strong leadership and a passion for customer satisfaction.

4116 Ag Processing Company CFO - Wisconsin

Successful and expanding agricultural processing company is seeking a top-notch CFO to strengthen and bring additional talents and structure to their leadership team. This individual will have a strong accounting and finance background and will assist and challenge the board and CEO as they continue to explore and carry out key growth initiatives.

3921 Sales Agronomist - US West and Southwest

A "Road Warrior Sales Entrepreneur" is needed to represent a company that manufactures and sells soil amendments. The company will hire an individual who has a very strong agronomic background with a passion for soil fertility and who enjoys working and managing a territory. You must enjoy sales, be able to work alone and be a self-starter. A BS degree in an agriculture-related field is necessary.

5798 Non-GMO Asian Export Merchandiser - Nebraska

Premier agricultural industry leader is seeking a non-GMO Soybean Merchandiser to join their team. Responsibilities include managing an existing sales book with consumptive customers primarily in the Asian markets and communicating regularly with the end-users as well as managing contracts, contract terms, contract pricing, and hedging functions.

5800 Merchandiser - Kansas City

Successful and progressive agricultural company is seeking a Grain Merchandiser based out of Kansas City. You must have a solid understanding of all aspects of the grain trade, as well as the NGFA Trade Rules. The ideal candidate will have the ability to maintain and develop solid business relationships with suppliers, both commercial and producers, and customers alike.

5794 Ag Processing / Manufacturing HR Director - Wisconsin

Expanding agricultural processing company that is anticipating significant growth over the next few years is seeking an experienced HR professional. Ideally, you will come from a manufacturing / processing background and desire to come in and help create a positive culture while treating the company as your own.

4115 Agricultural & Farm Accounting Tax Partner - United States

In this role, you will Manage and drive the success of multiple engagements on a national scale mainly in the agribusiness industry. This position requires at least eight years of financial management experience, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, experience reporting to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance. A Master’s degree and a background in Agribusiness are preferred. If you are a successful, entrepreneurial-minded financial professional with a passion for Agri-Business tax management, this is an exceptional opportunity to consider.

It seems to me that when December and January roll around each year, we take time to reflect on where we are in our lives and where we are headed. Then we go ten months in the “usual operations” mode, and December and January roll around again and we go through the same process. It can be an exercise in futility. Changes can only happen if we are willing to make the changes necessary.

For me, 2022 was a wake-up call. My body began letting me know that I had to make changes in the way I was living, or my time here would be short. The effects of diabetes, essentially out of control, were having an impact on every facet of my life.

One day, I was at work and I began to experience a loss of vision in my left eye. In 24-hours, I was blind in that eye with the diagnosis being a detached retina. Ultimately, surgery would be performed, and my vision partially restored. The wake-up call was that if I did not change my habits, I could lose the eyesight in my other eye as well. I decided blindness is not an option. So, I knew with my back against the wall, that changes must be made. First, I am working to get the blood sugar under control with improved diet, then exercise to lose excess pounds, and finally eliminate the things in my life that are no longer needed.

This is not a one- or two-month plan, but a forever plan. Will I be successful? Time will tell. Only I can make it happen.

The same applies to you. Don’t allow yourself to get backed into a corner, then change. Take the offense and make it happen now.

Only you can make it happen!

Humans speak their first fully-formed words sometime between 9 – 12 months of age. It’s a big deal, delighting our parents and launching us into the world of interactive communication. For the rest of our lives, words are the foundation of (almost) everything we do. Psychologist and author Dr. Jordan Peterson says, "If you can think, speak and write, you are absolutely deadly. Nothing can get in your way."

If Dr. Peterson is right, then why are we so often inattentive to, and careless with, the manner in which we use our words? There are lots of possible answers, but a step back reveals a couple of big themes:

Thoughtlessness and impulsivity
Talking to much

Thoughtlessness and Impulsivity
Sounds harsh, right? Thoughtless and impulsive aren’t character traits that most of us aspire to, right? Yet when we think deeply, the terms are accurate. The key is to remove our cognitive bias, understanding that when we are thoughtless or impulsive, it doesn’t mean we are mean-spirited or stupid. It means we weren’t being mindful. We reacted. There was no gap between stimulus and response. Keep in mind that hearing is not listening; active listening requires temporarily setting your world aside and concentrating on the other person’s message and meaning. Evaluations, decisions and reactions can come later.

Do you have the grit to not give up and stay true to the course, no matter how difficult it may be? Are you competitive and possess a strong sales mentality where every “no” is just one step closer to a “yes”?

If so, and you have a passion for connecting with and helping people, plus a strong agricultural industry background in agronomy, grain, or other areas, please contact Dave Allen. We would enjoy having a discussion with you about how a recruiting career may be a great fit for you.

Founded in 1995, AGRI-SEARCH is a professional recruiting firm providing clients with customized recruiting solutions in various niches within the agricultural industry. Our success results from our industry focus, our specialized approach to recruiting, and our staff's lifelong roots in, dedication to, and vast understanding and knowledge of the agricultural industry.

At AGRI-SEARCH, our mission states that we “are committed to serving the agricultural industry with integrity, passion and excellence by assisting our candidates to reach their career goals and helping our client companies build successful teams.”