Team members in Pasco, WA, hosted local students for a glance into the equipment side of the agriculture industry.
The visit was organized by 509 Show Circuit, a nonprofit focusing on educational and leadership opportunities for youth interested in agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Each year, as part of an educational workshop, the organization arranges learning opportunities with local businesses.
Account Manager Mike Meads led RDO’s involvement in the event. He and Service Operations Manager Jamie Nehls kicked the day off with an overview of RDO. Service Manager Joe Collins followed up with a presentation on the many career opportunities available in the dealership setting.
To showcase the variety of different roles, Regional Sales Coordinators Alyssa Bowman and Trevor Wilson and Service Manager Austin Faulconer each shared about their responsibilities and the work they do serving customers. Dick Muhlbeier, Product Specialist Manager, spoke about precision ag and specific internship opportunities available for those interested in the technology side of the industry.
Following the presentations, the students engaged with RDO team members in a panel discussion, asking insightful questions about the industry and the role equipment dealerships play.
The afternoon was reserved for a tour of longtime RDO customer, Allied Potato. General Manger Clay Allen led a tour of the company’s seed-cutting facility and washing and packing facility. The group got a first-hand look at how potatoes are prepared, from seed preparation to product storage and staging.
“It’s a great day any time you can get in front of a group of youth with the same passion for agriculture that we have,” Mike Meads said. “We are always happy to share the role that we at RDO have in agriculture and insight into the industry in general.”