A Drive Through a “Fly Over State”

Blog by Mike Terning, Greenstone Product and Category Manager

This summer I had the privilege of taking a business trip across Kansas. The trip began with a flight that landed in Denver and then continued with a drive with my colleague, Jacob Schwab, to northwest Kansas, southwest Kansas, and then up to northeast Kansas.

Along the way, Jacob and I visited five customers: four diversified cooperatives and a privately owned ag-retailer. Our customers shared with us some of their business challenges and how they are using Greenstone tools. We shared what’s new in our tools, along with ideas on how they might be able to take better advantage of the tools we provide.

During this 1200 mile drive, I really appreciated the level of investment our customers and their growers have made (and continue to make) in their operations. The long-term investments made in facilities, equipment, rolling stock and land are amazing. Dotting the landscape were are wind generators, irrigation pivots and large livestock feedlots supported by on-site feed mills. In fact the dark, manure-fertilized, irrigated corn fields with nearly-ripe winter wheat in the corners were beautiful.

Our customers have a lot of risk with these investments and continue to take risks using the assets to help generate cash. As I contemplated the trip on my flight back from Kansas City, the lyrics from a song by Jason Aldean titled “Fly Over States” came to mind:

“Just a bunch of square cornfields and wheat farms, Man it all looks the same, Miles and miles of back roads and highways, Connecting little towns with funny names, Who’d want to live down there in the middle of nowhere,… They’ve never…Met the men who plowed that earth, Planted that seed, busted his {butt} for you and me, Or caught a harvest moon in Kansas, They’d understand why God made those fly over states,…Why you’d want to plant your stakes in those fly over states…” *

So, thank you customers, for all of your investments. Greenstone exists to help you succeed and grow as you leverage your investments to serve your customers and owners. We strive to work closely with you to advance your ability to efficiently manage risk, control inventory, capture grower conversations, and satisfy your customers. Please feel free to reach out to me personally to learn more.
I can’t wait to visit another “Fly Over State” soon!

Blog by Mike Terning, Greenstone Product and Category Manager

Email: mike.terning@culturatech.com
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