Connect OnFarm appoints senior on-farm representative

September 22, 2016 – Connect OnFarm has appointed a new senior on-farm representative as part of its expanding team servicing customers in Canada and the U.S.  Industry veteran Rick Barva joins the team bringing a wealth of experience and relationships, along with a passion for helping farming operations maximize opportunities.

“We’re very excited to welcome Rick on board,” says Cal Ginter of Connect OnFarm. “It’s a big role. It’s also a very important step for Connect OnFarm, as our business continues to grow during an exciting time of evolution in the industry. We wanted someone who, first and foremost, would complement our community – someone who would fit well as part of the team, the family really, that includes not just Connect OnFarm but also our customers, partners and suppliers.

“Rick fits the culture we are building. He brings a lot of knowledge and insight that will benefit everyone involved with Connect OnFarm.”

Barva was raised near Lethbridge as part of a long-time ranching family that grew its cattle feeding business into one of the largest in the area at the time. His natural enthusiasm for agriculture and the people who make it work led him to a degree in agriculture from the University of Alberta, with a double major in animal nutrition and finance.

Since then through several agricultural sales representative and banking/finance roles, Barva has built a strong reputation and become well familiar to many in western Canadian agriculture, particularly in the tight-knit swine community. Barva is also currently a director of the Alberta Pork Congress and has served in a number of industry service and leadership positions over the years.

“I couldn’t be happier to have this opportunity,” says Barva. “I’m really looking forward to working with the Connect OnFarm community and, especially, contributing at the farm level.

“The Connect OnFarm approach is all about finding ways to help farming operations fully identify and capture the opportunities they have for success. That way of looking at things is always what I have enjoyed most about working in agriculture, along with of course the people. This feels like a very natural fit for me. I know many of the Connect OnFarm customers already and I can’t wait to get more involved with contributing to the growing team and customer base. I feel like this is exactly where I want to be and there is a lot to look forward to.”

Ginter, along with partner Wes Friesen, co-founded Connect OnFarm three years ago and the rising company has experienced steady growth and progress now set to reach a new level. Rounding out the core of the Connect OnFarm team is office manager Cleuza Friesen.

“Rick understands the vision of Connect OnFarm, including our focus on grass roots relationships and dedication to helping farmers innovate and get the most out of their operations,” says Wes Friesen. “Many of our customers have already worked with Rick in his past roles and are as excited as we are to have him join the team. Rick also brings a unique and valuable skillset, bridging both agriculture and finance, that is an excellent fit not only with where we are today but where we are moving toward for the future.

Connect OnFarm is a company built on serving producers and helping farming operations become more profitable, innovative and sustainable, through a range of services and products based around nutrition programs for livestock.

The company provides a full range of consulting services and also supplies a variety of product options, including Connect OnFarm custom label products such as Encompas5 and WeanEase. A key focus is natural feed supplements that offer a range of efficiency, performance and environmental benefits while also offering a strong fit with the shifting expectations of today’s marketplace and trends such as reduced reliance on antimicrobials. For more information, contact the Connect OnFarm office at 403-330-3727.