Financing ag tech is one of the biggest challenges and is crucial to moving adoption forward. Or is it?
Kelly Miller, Director of Ag Tech at Compeer Financial, talks with Women in Ag Tech (WiAT) about what she believes are the most important details of getting growers to embrace and purchase ag tech. Miller, one of WiAT’s ambassadors, shares her take on what’s needed to increase grower interest and investment in ag tech.
WiAT: Can you share a little bit about your story and background in agriculture?
Kelly Miller (KM): I have been participating in agriculture most of my life. I grew up on a farm in western Minnesota, and members of my family still farm corn and soybeans today. My favorite thing to do with my two boys, ages 13 and 8, is to visit my family on the farm during harvest and other times of the year.
For the past 20 years, I have been in the ag finance and ag tech space. The roles I’ve held include financial officer, technology product manager(s), strategy and innovation manager, director of ag tech and director of industry engagement and partnerships.
WiAT: In your current job, you work with ag retailers and review financing for growers to purchase ag tech. In your opinion, is the cost of ag tech a big barrier for adoption? If so, how does the industry get around this?
KM: Financing has always been a key component for farmers’ operations, and the cost of new technology is no different. The buying decision for farmers to invest in new technologies for their operations is viewed holistically, so information needs to be provided for the questions such as: What is the ROI? What are the upstream and downstream impacts of this upgrade? What is the cost of the test?
WiAT: How do you successfully work with ag retailers? What tools do you give them so they can assist growers in purchasing ag tech?
KM: The best way to work with the ag retailers is to ensure you are solving a real-world problem and making farmers’ lives easier. A major key to success is working as a trusted partner with retailers. It’s a win for all parties when we recognize that each of us serves as an expert in our own field, and that we all put the farmer at the center.
WiAT: Do you face any barriers being a woman in trying to promote ag tech?
KM: Both men and women face barriers in their careers, and I believe the key to overcoming them is to have a strong group of mentors in your corner.
I have been incredibly fortunate to have great mentors that I could learn from and lean on during my career. I believe this support has helped me face and overcome any barriers that have come up during my career.
WiAT: Why do believe Women in Ag Tech is important?
KM: I believe having a diverse set of thoughts and ideas in any industry always produces better outcomes for the end use of products. Ag tech is no different.
WiAT: Anything else you would like to add?
KM: When people think of agricultural careers, they often think about roles such as agronomists, veterinarians, researchers, or crop and livestock producers.
However, there are many other careers that support this industry and break the mold of what people typically think of when they hear agriculture careers.
If you would have told me that I would go from financial officer to product manager to strategy and innovation manager to ag tech director to director of industry engagement and partnerships all within the sales industry, I would have thought you were crazy. It has been a fun 20 years, and I can’t wait to see what the next part of my career will bring.
