Name: Phoebe Foster
Job Title: Development Agronomist
No of years in the business: Two
Region: Anglia – Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire

Tell us about your role, what do you do?
I am a development agronomist with Agrii. I completed by Basis certificate in crop protection last June and my FACTs exams in March meaning I am now fully qualified to advise growers.

How did you get started in Agriculture or your role?
I studied Agriculture at Newcastle University after taking a year out post sixth form to work for KWS, the plant breeding company. During my degree, I gained practical farming experience through summer harvest work on large arable farms. Once finished, I went onto work for several agrochemical companies, both in the UK and in Australia, in roles including trials, marketing and commercial excellence.

What do you love most about your job?
I love that a large part of the job is spent being outside, even when it is pouring with rain or blowing a gale. It is an immense privilege to experience viewpoints in the countryside which most members of the public never witness, and also a great way to stay active!

Any advice for people looking to get started in the industry?
Go out and gain as much experience as you can! Working in trials helped to give me a really good overview of a broad range of crops and an insight into the research and development which goes into all parts of modern agriculture. I also believe that having practical experience from working on farms is invaluable in being able to understand how the work I do now is implemented.

What is the biggest challenge you face in your role and why?
The intensity of the spring season is always a challenge and is a very busy time of the year. Good time management and organisation are key to getting through this! It is key to manage “chat” time with farmers, and not lose too much daylight time when the nights are drawing in!

Take us through a day in your life.

Time of Year: Spring