Three agronomists have joined Agrovista’s highly respected agronomy team, bringing new blood to three key areas of the country where the company is looking to expand.

All three gained their BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection this summer and are now starting to take on new customers as they continue to work closely with experienced colleagues to hone their skills.

Scotland

A late return to the classroom paid off for new Borders-based agronomist Naomi Ramsay.

After a series of non-agricultural jobs after leaving school she decided to return to education as a mature student, enrolling at SRUC where she gained a BSc degree in agriculture in 2024.

Naomi is ready to start building business in East Lothian, where she grew up, and across the Borders, working with combinable crops, grass and forage crops.

“I’m ready to get going – I’m up for the challenge,” she says. “Farmers are not just going to open their gates easily so you must work hard at this, but I’m willing.

“I’m looking forward to building a really worthwhile career built around Agrovista’s ethos of trust and teamwork.”

South East England

Lucy Marsh is the first new trainee agronomist in Agrovista’s south-east team for 30 years, and she’s thrown herself in to the role.

Lucy, who was brought up on a family farm near Rusper, West Sussex, obtained a biology degree at Southampton University and has been hard at work since, training as an agronomist from her base in West Sussex.

She will advise customers in Kent and Surrey as well as her home county.

“I chose Agrovista because they have a strong local presence and I liked the sound of what they do,” Lucy said. “The company puts a lot of emphasis on doing what’s right for the farmer and back that with incredible trials support data.”

Lucy will also be working with Agrovista’s rural consultancy team, working on IPM and nutrient management plans and taking on SFI advice when the scheme returns.

West Midlands

Swapping his desk for the great outdoors is a move Will Griffiths will never regret. He gained a BSc honours in Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University, but switched to agronomy and joined Agrovista’s Shrewsbury team in October 2024.

Will was brought up on a mixed farm in Shropshire and lists plant nutrition and soil health as particular interests.

“BASIS is the ticket but it doesn’t make you a good agronomist. There’s still lots to learn, but Agrovista has been very supportive and everyone has gone out of their way to help.

“I’m looking forward to building new relationships to help growers navigate through the tough times, and repaying some of the time and faith that Agrovista has put into me.”