ADAM R. KARBO
Ghent
Summary
Dedicated sales agronomist with a strong background in developing fertilizer, seed, and herbicide plans for growers. Achieved significant growth in customer portfolios, increasing sales from $700K to approximately $7M, while applying advanced precision agriculture techniques and maintaining high standards of customer service.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Account Manager
Farmward Cooperative
03.2026 - Current
- Work one-on-one with growers to determine their fertilizer, seed, and herbicide needs
- Developed tailored fertilizer, herbicide, and seed recommendations to meet customer needs
- Work with location managers and warehouse staff to determine chemical needs
- Resolved customer complaints and issues to enhance satisfaction and retention
- Managed herbicide inventory across four agronomy locations (Ghent, Hendricks, Canby, Slayton) to ensure product availability
- Scout fields for weed, disease, and insect issues
- Work with distributors on ordering and returning inventory
Interim Procurement Manager
AG PLUS COOPERATIVE
Ghent
09.2025 - 03.2026
- Forecast chemical needs
- Ordered chemicals through distributors to ensure timely availability
- Determined competitive pricing for chemicals
- Negotiate chemical programs and payments
- Analyzed profit margins for chemical sales
- Meet with chemical manufacturers
- Develop business plans with manufacturers
- Negotiated chemical programs and payment terms to enhance supplier relationships
- Work with Sales team to develop chemical programs for the year
Agronomy Sales and Service, Precision Technician
AG PLUS COOPERATIVE / LYON COUNTY FARM SERVICE JV
Ghent
06.2012 - 04.2025
- Managed precision agriculture program to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction
- Grew Book of Business from $700K to ~$7M
- Directed and supported 7 sellers across 4 locations to drive sales and improve team collaboration
- Grew Program from $0 to $400K
- Provide direction and assist 7 sellers at 4 locations
- Work one-on-one with growers to determine their fertilizer, seed, and chemical needs
- Develop variable rate fertilizer and planting prescriptions
- Manage logistics of custom fertilizer application
- Managed approximately 50% of agronomy prepay tasks at Ghent location.
- Conduct and evaluate product performance trials
- Conducted and evaluated product performance trials to inform agronomic recommendations and optimize customer outcomes
Interim Location Manager
AG PLUS COOPERATIVE
Ghent
03.2020 - 10.2020
- Manage financials and P&L statement of location
- Coordinated dispatching and logistics for custom applications
- Manage inventory of 14,000 ton dry fertilizer plant
- Manage inventory of 60,000 gallon liquid fertilizer plant
- Manage inventory of 30,000 gallon bulk and package chemical facility
- Manage 15 full time employees
- Oversaw financials and P&L statements for location
- Resolved customer complaints to enhance satisfaction and retention
- Contributed to development of strategic marketing plans to drive business growth
- Develop strategic operation plan
Graduate Research Assistant
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Brookings
01.2010 - 05.2012
- Collaborated with team members on projects
- Supervised small teams during various assignments
- Taught Undergraduate Crop Production Lab
- Worked independently and as a team
- Instructed undergraduate students in crop production techniques during lab sessions
Education
Masters of Science Degree - Plant Science
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Brookings, SD01-2012
Bachelor of Science Degree - Agronomy
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Brookings, SD01-2009
Skills
- Fertilizer recommendations
- Crop nutrition planning
- Chemical procurement
- Sales management
- Precision farming solutions
- Procurement strategy
- Customer relationship management
Certification
- Certified Crop Advisor
- Class A CDL
Timeline
Account Manager
Farmward Cooperative
03.2026 - Current
Interim Procurement Manager
AG PLUS COOPERATIVE
09.2025 - 03.2026
Interim Location Manager
AG PLUS COOPERATIVE
03.2020 - 10.2020
Agronomy Sales and Service, Precision Technician
AG PLUS COOPERATIVE / LYON COUNTY FARM SERVICE JV
06.2012 - 04.2025
Graduate Research Assistant
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
01.2010 - 05.2012
Masters of Science Degree - Plant Science
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science Degree - Agronomy
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY