Category: 2021

Russell Nidiffer’s Story


Russell Nidiffer, Parts/Field Service Coordinator, has had the unique opportunity of working in not one, not two but three different departments at Jenner Ag. For the past four years, Russell has picked up an array of knowledge in parts and service. Among others, Russell helps service techs get the parts they need to complete repairs, updates all the software for machines in the shop and manages SlingShot accounts for customers.

“I started in shipping, which helped me a lot when I moved into the Parts Department and then Service. I don’t have a background in agriculture - I started with zero knowledge of the industry. Having the opportunity to work in shipping allowed me to grow my knowledge base exponentially,” says Russell. “Being able to go to work every day and see what various parts physically looked like changed how I put everything together in my head.”

When he moved to Parts, that knowledge helped him serve customers quickly and knowledgably. “If a customer said I need a hydraulic valve, I knew what they looked like so when I went into the computer, I could see the part and it sped up the process of ordering them,” he explains.

Today, Russell is confident in his ability to help anticipate customers’ needs on future repairs based on what part they are requesting now. “Whether it’s for machine inspections or because the service tech got a call from customers needing parts, I can say, “I know this part goes here - do you also need this part? Having that background in parts, I can say well let's also look at this,” says Russell.


Russell says his greatest job experience to date was a cross-training opportunity unique to Jenner Ag: being able to go to Jenner Precision and help put together toolbars. “I think everyone that works with Parts should have that chance. Seeing our guys put the parts where they actually go on the toolbar and how it functions is priceless knowledge.”

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Denny Groves’ Story


Jenner Nation Groves

Field Service Techs stay busy no matter the season – and they need to stay on the road no matter what. So what happens when they need a part, or they have an issue with their own truck? Denny Groves, the Parts/Field Service Coordinator here at Jenner Ag, and the go-to guy when it comes to assisting anyone in the field. He has the answer.

“My role is to take care of all the parts and supply needs for the field service associates. Whenever they need something, they call me, and we as a team do whatever we need to get them their parts in the fastest way possible,” says Denny. “This year has made my role a tad more challenging with all the supply chain issues. It’s not what it normally is, and I have had to be resourceful and think outside the box to do everything in my power to get them the parts they need when they need them.”

Denny says if his guys are having an issue that’s outside of his job description, he still steps up to assist them any way he can. Even if that means just steering them in the right direction, he gladly will wear many hats to get the job done. That’s what it means to be a part of the Jenner Nation. “One person doesn’t know everything, but between all of us, when we put our heads together, we can probably figure it out,” he says. “Everybody everywhere has their own strengths and weaknesses, and we all can help balance each other out.”

Denny believes what makes Jenner Ag and the agriculture industry as a whole a great place to work is the rich knowledge that is shared. “I have been in this industry since 1989, and the job security and people are unlike most industries,” he explains. “Everybody has to eat, and that’s not going to go away. People need our industry, and they need individuals out there working in it who care.”

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Aaron David’s Story


Aaron David has been prepping new equipment and helping his team with work in the shop for 13 years as an Application Shop Technician. Aaron works on a little bit of everything and has become a pillar around Jenner Ag for his attention to detail, friendly demeanor and work ethic. He likes making sure that when a machine arrives at its intended location, everyone is happy. “When a machine leaves our shop, I like seeing the account manager happy and the customers happy when it shows up. It means it’s something we have looked over and done our best to make sure it’s correct when it gets to a customer’s doorstep,” Aaron explains.

His secret to success? Documenting everything. “I write a lot of notes on everything I do; I keep folders of them in my cabinets,” says Aaron. “I try to document what we do so we can find easier ways to do the job and tweak it as we go – it is also good to have for reference in the future.” He says that helps when two or three years later you need to reference a job. “If you have good notes, it’s good to go back and reference that stuff, because in three years when you get a machine again, you will have to remember how it goes.”

Aaron’s system has paid off not only for him but also other members of his team. “I’ll work on projects with fellow associates and document everything, and they’ll come back and be like ‘Well it’s been five years; I don’t remember how we did that.’ I go, ‘Well here’s this folder that I kept,’” he says.

Aaron believes working in teams in a shop setting is even more important so everyone can learn the same practices. “It makes things easier to diagnose and fix in the future. It’s nice when you are on a team that will listen and learn together.”
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Andrew Clarkson’s Story


A resource solution. That’s how Andrew Clarkson, Ag Group Account Manager, wants customers to see him. Got a problem no one else can solve? Andrew is your guy. “I like to be handed a problem and work hard to find a solution that has stumped someone else,” he explains. “Whenever I get a call and someone says, ‘I don’t know if you can get this, but can you try to find it for me’- that’s where I thrive. I become a resource when they need a helping hand.”

While he thrives on answers, Andrew also knows how to handle not knowing. “The answer ‘I don’t know, but I will find out’ goes a long way,” he says. “And after you say that, you have to make yourself keep that promise and go and find out whatever the answer is.”

Andrew also believes it is important for an account manager to be more than just someone who shows up to get you to buy something. “I don’t want customers I interact with to see me as a person who is just there to sell them something they don’t need,” he says. “I don’t want you to spend money you don’t need to. I want you to spend money that will help your operation exceed its goals and help you in the long run.”

At the end of the day Andrew is more than a resource solution and a trusted advisor, he’s also a friend. As a friend he will look out for his customers and make sure they are getting the best experience possible with Jenner Ag – that’s his promise.
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Jay Steidinger’s Story


For Jay Steidinger, the job is simple: Uptime equals a happy customer. From planting to harvest and every season in between for eight years, he’s focused on maximizing Uptime for Jenner Ag’s retail fertilizer customers as part of the highly trained U-Maxx Service team.

“I am part of the team at Jenner Ag that offers tech support to customers that are having electronic issues,” he explains. “I work in tandem with other field service technicians daily to make sure our customers are taken care of.”

Jay says that’s one of the things he likes best about his job: supporting other technicians who in turn support customers. So he’s able to get the best of both worlds – front-line customer interaction as well as being part of a team that works from start to finish in the customer interaction. “That’s the most satisfying part of the job,” he says. “Not only do you get to solve a problem someone else is having, but you get that feeling of accomplishment as well.”

While problem solving one of the main parts of the job, Jay believes time management is critical as well – and that’s where understanding the ins and outs of not just the machine but the entire service team’s capabilities makes a difference. “Knowing what each person needs to work at their full potential, whether it’s a customer or associate. Everybody has something that makes them tick,” he says. “It teaches you the right way to interact with others to successfully get the job done.”

Getting the job done quickly, efficiently and expertly are Jay – and the entire Service team’s – focus. “When we are busy, I try to get down to solving problems so I can get help to everybody that needs it as fast as I can,” he says. “Knowing who to bring in for different jobs – and having the team resources to do that – makes a difference.”
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Beth Berger’s Story


  Human Resources: the department charged with managing a company’s resources and contributing those to individual associates’ satisfaction and performance. Whether that be helping you set up a retirement plan, keeping up with corporate policies or mediating interpersonal conflict, HR does it all. At Jenner Ag, the person behind the acronym is none other than Beth Berger, Executive HR Corporate Compliance.

Beth is in charge of staying on top of corporate policies, associate paperwork, government compliance and much more. “I do a little bit of everything,” says Beth. “I help not only our management team but our associates as well.” She adds that her family background in small business serves her well for the role. “I try to always consider if what I am doing is best for our team at Jenner Ag as a whole. Does this help not only management but each associate as well?” says Beth. “Dealing with a company this size allows people to really find their rhythm and place – the fit at a small business is unique; the daily interaction is unique.”

What creates that special feeling? Beth says it’s simple: people. “The heart of HR, and certainly the most interesting part, is people. I am part of those first faces someone sees when they start with us. I help to make sure someone feels like they fit here.”

Visiting HR on your first day at any new job can be scary, but Beth says she tries to lessen the load on associates by sharing a key piece of advice someone once gave her. “You can’t learn everything in one day – it takes on average 16 months for anyone to completely understand a role. I tell them to remember to enjoy the process and keep learning,” says Beth. “One of the first things I noticed when I started here 10 years ago was no matter who I saw when I walked in, they spoke to me and made me feel welcome, and that’s the essence of the Jenner Nation.”
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Bret Hine’s Story


  Jenner Ag lives by UPTIME – and so does Bret Hine, Field Service Technician. “We get asked a lot about what ‘Uptime’ means; everybody has their own take on it. When I think of the word ‘Uptime,’ I think of our inspection program,” he says. “If we can limit downtime in the field through annual inspections, that ensures more Uptime.”

That’s just one way Bret works to maximize Uptime for his customers – he says it’s a focus year-round. “In the winter, I talk with customers about any issues they were having at the end of their last season. During planting, which is our busiest season, I’m taking inventory daily on what machines need attention and trying to get to all my customers in a timely matter to ensure their uptime,” he explains. “Certain times of year are more critical than others, and I have to keep that in mind to give my customers the best service possible.”

Bret says the logistics of being in the field can be challenging, but he thrives on it. “During peak season sometimes, it can be frustrating that you can’t be in more than one place at a time,” he explains. Bret manages it by thinking ahead and taking steps to guarantee he can get parts to give customers fast, efficient solutions that keep them running: “They are fully relying on me and whatever I can do for them.”

No matter the time of year or what he’s working on, Bret says the most important aspects of his job is communication. “I strive to be an excellent communicator. Communication is first and foremost with a customer,” he says. “I’m big on double checking things. If a customer says something is broken, I will double check twice just to be extra sure.”

His main motivation? Bret is passionate about doing the right thing for the customer and the industry. “I grew up in agriculture, and being a part of this industry allows me to feel like I am contributing to the rest of the world in some way,” he says. “I enjoy being a part of an industry that serves the world.”
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Bryan Fehr’s Story


  “In the next five years, everything is going to change, and change quickly, with what technology can do in the agriculture industry. Autonomy is coming, and Jenner Precision is trying to stay ahead and be on the front end it,” says Bryan Fehr, Location Manager.

He’s been with Jenner Precision for eight years but part of the industry even longer, and he’s seen great advancements just since he started with the company. Then, everyone planted at 5 mph; now, we can plant at 10 mph. “The technology of the industry has just come so far from where we were,” Bryan says. “When I first started in my role, you could own a tractor that would steer by itself, but the operator would still have to manually turn at the ends. Now the control you have from inside the cab of a planter is insane. You can shut off rows, see what moisture is in the furrow and variable rate on the fly.”

More than just tracking new technology, he’s also managing its inventory, to make sure Jenner Precision has the right product at the right time on the shelf for customers. “Technology is changing so fast that you have to draw a line and say, ‘This technology is going to be outdated; we probably don’t need to stock that anymore,’” he explains. “We have to always keep inventory current with the advancements being made.”

In addition to managing the location, Bryan still goes out into the field to see customers. “I see my own customers,” he explains, “and I also help the other salespeople and the service techs with whatever they may need for their individual customers.”

Bryan believes Jenner Precision’s value is more than just selling products; it’s also about the knowledge to know the customer’s needs – plus service the products and provide technical support for farmers to get the most out of their technology. “I want them to get the best products for their operation and the best bang for their buck,” he says, “and to know we have a full-time, year-round service team who knows the products better than anyone else.” <br
Maybe that’s the most important takeaway, says Bryan: “I want customers to remember when I’m talking with them that Jenner Precision is here for you. In spring and fall when you need us most, you are our number one priority.”
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Darrell Bailey’s Story


Jenner Nation Bailey

For the past 14 years Darrell Bailey, Field Service Technician, has woken up and given his customers the most efficient and leading service he can. Darrell describes himself as laid back and easygoing and says he is the perfect person to listen to a customer’s concerns while calmly working out a solution that will get them back up and running in no time.


“Staying calm helps immensely when you are in the field with a customer - when every minute you waste keeps them from doing their job,” says Darrell. “My job is to make their job easier and more efficient.” He does that by taking his time, doing the job right and most importantly, making sure his customer is informed and at the forefront of his mind.


Darrell says what keeps him on track is staying informed and prepared, and never hesitating to use resources available to him. “It’s not as simple as staying up to date on training or interacting well with customers. While that is all critical, you have to be able to manage all of that and more. I try to plan ahead so I can get to as many customers as is possible each day,” he explains. “I will figure out what my workload is for each day and try to schedule out each job, accordingly, considering all factors to make it the most efficient it can be. That way no one is waiting days for me to help them.”

“It’s not a one man show. If I have a problem, I pull my resources available to me, whether that be using my computer, my industry knowledge or my team at Jenner Ag.”

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Shawn Conner’s Story


Shawn Conner has made a career out of knowing ag equipment from the inside out. Now Parts Manager for our ag dealership, Shawn got his start at Jenner Ag 14 years ago, but his parts experience goes way back, to working in a dealership parts department back in high school. “I have enjoyed equipment and implements from a young age, knowing how they work and what each piece is used for,” he says. “That love of knowledge is what helps me in my job today.”

Staying current on all the updates happening in the agriculture industry is key, says Shawn. “I try to keep up with how equipment is advancing from year-to-year, what updates they are adding. That effort helps me stay educated within the industry.

He can take a look at changes coming to equipment know what we’ll need for planting. “Understanding equipment helps you understand what parts you need to stock,” he explains. “I know what parts we need to bring in, so we have what customers need.” Shawn says being more educated makes you more of an asset, not just to your own team, but to customers as well.

Shawn takes pride not just in helping his customers, but also in making sure the department meets his standards. “I hope one of the first things people notice about our Parts Department at Jenner Ag is our aesthetic. When they walk in, I want them to notice that our store is clean, neat, and organized,” he says. “We aren’t just a parts room with a dusty old counter and parts laying all over the place. I keep track of our inventory and pay attention to what we need to order. Our team prioritizes improving inventory management. We take pride in that. Having organized inventory helps us better serve our customers.”

He maintains that to be a successful parts specialist, you have to keep customer satisfaction as your main goal. Shawn says the parts team treats every customer as if they are the only customer. “When you can solve an issue or help them get a part that is hard to come by, those are the days when you really feel like you accomplished something,” says Shawn. “What separates you most from other businesses is how you interact with your customers.”
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Terry Reed’s Story


JennerNation Reed “As the calls come in, I take care of my customers, that’s my goal,” says Terry Reed, Field Service Technician with Jenner Ag for the past 17 years. Terry attributes that attitude to what has allowed him to create bonds with a lot of his customers. “We as technicians create trust with our customers,” says Terry. “If they have an issue come up, they will ask our opinions, and most of the time they trust in those opinions and go with it.”

Creating that trust goes deeper than relationships; it also comes from the trust in your knowledge of their equipment. “I am always doing training courses, whether they are from Jenner Ag, Case IH, New Leader, you name it. They all offer training so we can stay current on the latest technology and continue to successfully do our jobs,” says Terry. “We as service techs have to balance our daily jobs as well as ensure we are staying up to date with our training.” He says that in the field, you have to be able to rely on yourself. The best way to do that is to stay educated.

Even though in the field it can feel like you are completely on your own, Terry says technology is there to help you. “I have my laptop right there with me, so as long as I have an internet connection, I can pull up schematics and diagnose an issue a piece of equipment might be having,” he says. But, if you still can’t find a solution, Terry says you can always phone a friend. “Usually someone on our team is just a phone call away.”

At the end of the day when Terry is in the field, he can handle any issues he has on his own terms. “When I am in the field, I’m like my own boss. I schedule my time as I see fit. As long as I do my job and keep my customers happy, everything works out,” says Terry. “With the agriculture industry coming up on planting season, we will have customers with sprayers, anhydrous bars and planters going. It will be a busy time. I just remember to keep my composure and get the job done. We are what helps keep our customers going, so we can’t drop the ball.”
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Sarah Luna’s Story


Jenner Nation Sarah Luna

You’ve heard of sales people, but have you heard of sales support? The associates behind the sales team that help them assist customers in whatever way possible. Sarah Luna is the Finance & Sales Support Specialist here at Jenner Ag, and the account managers would tell you customers have no idea how much she does for them. She has been with the company for 11 years and in that time has gotten the opportunity to work closely with several departments.

“When I started at Jenner Ag, I handled Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable, then I transitioned into the role of Office Manager, and from there I ended up with the Sales team,” she says. In her various roles, she has had to adapt and find the way to do her job, whichever one it may be, the most effective way possible.

Sarah attributes much of her success to Jenner Ag teaching her to work with a variety of different personalities. “The sales team as a whole is pretty driven. Everybody has their different ways of receiving information and working through things. I think just taking the time to learn and know each member of your team’s personality makes a big difference,” she explains. “You need to know how to work with different people and communicate effectively. Jenner Ag helps teach those skills. For me, that is interesting to do because then you see things from a different perspective you might not have otherwise considered.”

One way she accomplishes this tactic is knowing the best way to keep an open line of communication with each member of her team. “I try to know that I may need to call this person, but another person could prefer texts or emails. I have to be flexible in my position. I want to be able to get them anything they may need to be as informative as possible when talking with customers,” says Sarah. “When they call for a question, I make sure to get back to them ASAP and give them an answer, because a lot of the time they are on their way to meet a customer.” At the end of the day, she says the main goal is the best outcome possible for customers. We want the process of a customer buying equipment from us to run smoothly.

Sarah says part of the reason this is successful is due to Jenner Ag always adapting and changing to fit their associates’ and customers’ needs. “Jenner Ag is 3 times the size it was when I started. That’s because they adapt to what is going on in the industry and the world. Management tries to come up with the best way to serve our customers and remain profitable,” says Sarah. “Our beliefs and core values stay the same, but our strategies are ever-changing to how we can best fit everyone’s needs. They adapt as needs change for each department. The role I am in today didn’t exist when I started, and now, it’s crucial.”

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Jeremy McCammack’s Story


Information technology (IT) is always changing and innovating – so to fill that role you need to have someone who is just as forward-thinking. For Jenner Ag, that person is Jeremy McCammack, VP of IT. From the routine of setting up new accounts to the complexity of installing and maintaining the latest cybersecurity for three locations and employees across two states, Jeremy excels. But his knowledge isn’t just limited to the IT side of things, he is also a key contributor on the company’s internal The Great Game of Business (GGOB) team that helps drive the culture at Jenner Ag.

The way the company uses technology on a daily basis has grown leaps and bounds since Jeremy started in 2009. “Tasks that associates completed used to be heavily based in paperwork. Now, information goes onto a server so associates can communicate easily between our three locations. That is something that has drastically changed and is still changing,” says Jeremy. “When I started, everything was on site; everyone wasn’t even getting emails on their phones. Now, we use IT to communicate between departments and upload to databases.”

Jeremy spends his time on the IT side keeping associates mobile and technology running. “Half the workforce here is mobile – our service technicians are always on the move,” says Jeremy. “With the constant advancements in technology, our technicians use their laptops or tablets to help them diagnose machines. Keeping things updated and staying on top of new developments is the best way to keep us secure.”

Even beyond technology, the company isn’t afraid of updating to innovate. In fact, Jeremy believes that the biggest pro to working at Jenner Ag isn’t the job itself, but management’s approach to change. “If something isn’t working, we aren’t stuck in our ways. We will change tactics until something works,” he explains. “We are always thinking ahead. We don’t think, ‘This is how it has always been done; so, this is how we will continue to do things.’”

That’s how the IT guy took a central role when the company sought out a way to enhance culture and performance. In addition to his tech duties, today Jeremy is also a main player in the company’s GGOB – a unique practice of open book management that encourages associates to think and act like owners. “When I started, Jenner Ag wasn’t playing the GGOB yet, so I was strictly IT – which I loved, but I have always had a desire to explore the more creative side of things,” says Jeremy. “I have always liked doing graphic work, and when we started playing the Game, I got to explore that side of myself at work, which was refreshing. The culture here has allowed me to expand way outside of my job description, which keeps it exciting for me.”
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Steve Jones’ Story


2021 marks Jenner Ag’s 60th year of business. When you think of Jenner Ag, we hope you think of the many faces of Jenner Nation who made all this possible. One of those faces belongs to our CEO, Steve Jones. If you run into him in the hall, he might not tell you he’s the CEO, but he’s been one of the many people who made this company able to celebrate its 60th year of business.

Raised on a farm in Central Illinois, Steve has been in the agriculture industry since the time he could walk. “Growing up I was feeding hogs and spraying crops; from there I went to college to be in the agriculture industry. I sold fertilizer, spread fertilizer, ran a combine; you name it,” says Steve. “I loved the ag world; the industry itself is full of a lot of good honest, hardworking people. It stuck with me that food is something everyone needs and is connected to. I wanted to be a part of that.”

Steve has been with Jenner Ag since 1997, when he started as Sales Manager. “The company has changed exponentially since I started. At the time we had 17 associates and only one location, the Harristown office,” says Steve. “Today we have three locations that serve two states. Our workforce has advanced to many associates that work both in office and remotely. We have a mobile fleet of service technicians who now live and work in their territories. We haven’t just grown in size either; we also carry more products than before.” In 1999, Steve became the General Manager, which has developed into the role he holds today as CEO.

When asked how he got to where he is today, he had this to say: “I never thought I would be CEO. I put in a lot of hard work every day, a lot of hours. The founder of Jenner Ag, Gordon Jenner, and his son, Mike Jenner, saw that. I have done my best to make sure I have done their legacy justice. I try to share the same lessons with our team that they shared with me,” says Steve, “that if you work hard and put forth your best efforts, the company will recognize you for those efforts and will put you in a position that reflects your hard work.” By that same token Steve says the company teaches associates that when they have worked hard and done well, everyone benefits: the individual, the company and most importantly, the customer.

Jenner Ag has changed greatly through the years, but maintains its roots, the culture. “Culture is what means the most to me and our management team. Even though we have grown in number of associates, we have tried to maintain that family atmosphere. That is crucial to us,” says Steve. “In my mind, what has led to 60 years of business is having good people, good leadership and revolutionary products.”
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