In this engaging episode, Mark sits down with Wes Ward, the President of North Carolina's Harvey Fertilizer and Gas Company. Wes shares his journey from growing up in a small town with agricultural ties to leading a multifaceted family-run business that has been serving the community since 1871. They delve into the essence of being intentional in leadership, the unique aspects of southeastern agriculture, and the importance of fostering a strong company culture.
Wes dives into the complexity of running a diverse agribusiness, spanning chemical seed and fertilizer supply, grain and cotton ginning, and propane sales. He explains the crucial role of being present and empathetic as a leader and how these principles contribute to Harvey's success. They also discuss the challenges of managing such a large operation and ensuring effective succession planning. Wes also shares behind-the-scenes insights about their research farm, which is pivotal in driving training and product innovation within the company.
Key Takeaways:
- Empathetic Leadership: Wes Ward highlights the importance of understanding employee challenges and fostering a family-run company atmosphere.
- Diverse Agribusiness Operations: Harvey Fertilizer & Gas Company thrives on its wide-ranging services, including ag retail, grain and cotton ginning, and propane sales.
- Employee Development: Their research farm and training programs empower young agronomists and sales staff with hands-on knowledge and experience.
- Succession Planning: Wes underscores the significance of creating robust succession plans for sustained success in their brick-and-mortar stores.
- Personal Motivation: Wes balances his professional life with personal goals, finding motivation in striving for excellence and maintaining a competitive edge.
Notable Quotes:
- "To me, it means to be on the front lines with your people, to be in the trenches with your guys, and really understand what challenges they're facing." - Wes Ward
- "The family atmosphere has generally won for us to retain good employees." - Wes Ward
- "You got to have empathy, you know, from a leadership position." - Wes Ward
- "If you can get folks pulling in the same direction, that means a tremendous amount from a sustainability standpoint anyway." - Wes Ward
- "The will to be the best and having a chip on your shoulder keeps you fired up." - Wes Ward
Feel inspired by Wes Ward’s insights? Listen to the full episode to gain a deeper understanding of effective agribusiness leadership and stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast.
