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Introducing
Holly Sugar’s
Director of Agriculture
By Lois Kerr
 Kelvin
Thompsen, Holly Sugar’s Director of Agriculture stationed in
Sheridan, WY, spent several days in the Sidney factory area in
early October to acquaint himself with growers and the Sidney
factory staff, and to offer any necessary support during harvest.
Thompsen, who started his position of Director of Agriculture in
December, 2000, works directly with Roger Hill and concerns
himself with all aspects of day-to-day activities involving
agriculture and the beet side of the overall Holly Sugar
operations. Says Thompsen, “I work closely with Roger (Hill) and
I’m learning the responsibilities that he’s handled over the
years. When Roger decides to retire, I’ll fully assume these
responsibilities.”
He continues, “I will involve myself with
growers in the same role as Roger has. Roger has built a great
relationship with growers, and I look forward to continuing and
building on that relationship.”
During the October harvest, Thompsen visits
all the Rocky Mountain grower areas. “I like to come around
during harvest and see how things are going,” Thompsen comments.
“I also want to offer support and advice, and provide any help I
can during harvest to both growers and the Sidney ag staff.”
Thompsen explains that the Sidney factory
area growers always operate with the highest of standards.
“Beets coming in are exceptional,” Thompsen says. “They’re
clean, well topped, and going into pile storage in wonderful
shape. Growers are doing an excellent job in the field.”
He continues, “Sidney is an exceptional
operation. Growers deliver high quality beets and everyone works
together as a team. I look forward to continuing this
relationship.”
Thompsen, as Director of Agriculture, will
do everything possible to continue and build on the work and the
relationships already put in place by Roger Hill. “I’m looking
forward to my new role,” Thompsen remarks. “I’m especially
focused on ag activities, which is my background. I’m excited
about working with Roger, with the ag departments, and with the
growers. I plan to build on the great relationships already
established and on the great improvements throughout the system,
all of which are results of Roger’s work.”
Thompsen comes to the job of Director of
Agriculture with a lot of background experience in the
agricultural end of the Holly operations. He began his career with
the Holly Sugar Corporation in January, 1983. “I started as an
agriculturist in Torrington, WY,” Thompsen remarks “Torrington
had come off a tough harvest, the contract negotiations were
lengthy, and this strongly impacted Torrington acres. Because of
this, I came to Sidney in May, 1983 as an agriculturist, and spent
a year here. In March, 1984 I transferred back to Torrington when
the acreage there came back to normal levels.”
Thompsen remained at Torrington until 1987,
when he accepted a promotion to Worland, WY, as ag manager. He
remained at Worland for two campaigns, then transferred to
Brawley, CA, as ag manager.
In 1995 Thompsen transferred back to
Torrington as the agriculture manager, and two years later, in
1997, he accepted the position of district manager at the
Torrington plant.
After accepting the promotion to Director of
Agriculture, he relocated to Sheridan, where he lives with his
wife and two daughters. |