Mid-County Newsletter MCnewsletter-Winter11 | Page 4

MID-COUNTY AGRONOMY

Page 4

An expert in his field

Mid-County agronomist Joe Forner ’ s field of expertise is . . . well , fields .
His 17 years at the co-op have been filled with diagnostic soil testing , crop consulting , variable-rate technology analysis , and much more .
He can answer all types of production questions , and he enjoys giving farmers the tools and information they need to be successful .
“ When I started here , I was still going to school , so I ’ d help in the summers ,” said Joe , who has a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Minnesota .
Joe grew up on a dairy farm near Chaska , where his family milked about 100 cows .
“ I wanted to stay in the agricultural field ,” he said , adding that he was also interested in the business and science aspects of farming .
When Joe originally joined Mid- County Coop , he worked as an applicator and helped with the agronomy department .
He took over as agronomist a few years later .
Now , he enjoys teaching others about his work . People studying agriculture , biology , or a related degree often intern in the agronomy department .
“ If a college student – or a senior in high school who is interested in studying agriculture – would like to intern , they can contact me ,” said Joe , who can be reached at ( 952 ) 466- 3730 .
Joe ’ s job involves a variety of outdoor and indoor tasks . Sometimes , he ’ s advising farmers on seed placement , nutrient management , and farm plans . Other times , he ’ s driving through a field with a four-wheeler , collecting soil samples .
Soil sampling is done throughout the summer and fall , but Joe said that May and June are ideal times , because the
www . midcountycoop . com
Joe Forner
crop is still small .
Joe ’ s position also involves a great deal of computer work . Special software allows him to turn soil samples into useful information that can help farmers maximize productivity .
“ The program we use for grid sampling and variable rate applications is flexible , and it can be modified to meet our needs ,” he said .

Planted & Growing

Doug Kraska
Joe Forner

SEED SALES

Scott Nelson
Providing Quality Agronomy Products & Services
With Honesty • Integrity • Value
• Crop Protection
• Nutrient Management
• Crop Consulting
• Plant Food , Anhydrous , Lime , & VRT
• Turfs & Pasture Management • Producers , Croplan , Asgrow , Dekalb ,
• Grid Sampling
NK Hybrids , & Stine
• Custom Anhydrous Application • Yield Mapping

( 952 ) 466-3730 www . midcountycoop . com