November 14-16 was our 3rd annual NanoCon, located at the Zermatt Utah Resort in Midway, Utah. Innovative ag dealers from all over the country gathered for this exclusive event by Aqua-Yield®. This now highly anticipated event brings a high level of energy, networking, and education for our dealers that are committed to offering their growers the many benefits of Aqua-Yield nanoliquid technology.
Monday night began with a reception in which dealers had a chance to mingle with fellow innovators and Aqua-Yield® employees. Tuesday morning started with the Pledge of Allegiance by Celeste Johnson, Mayor of Midway, followed by a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by
musician and Ag Advocate Stephanie Nash . The day was then packed with educational and impactful presentations, starting out with a presentation by
Ag Advocate Michelle Martin of The Ag Mag . This was followed by presentations from Aqua-Yield leadership and the agronomy team.
One of our highly anticipated segments is the Dealer Panel, in which our seasoned Aqua-Yield dealers from across the country can talk about their experiences and how nanoliquid technology continues to be a key differentiator in their success as a dealer. Most importantly they speak to the return on investment and benefits that it offers growers, no matter the crop or location. This year our dealer panel featured Co-Founder Warren Bell and five representatives:
- WARREN T. BELL ∙ Aqua-Yield® ∙ Executive Chairman/Director of Turf
A lifelong chess player, Warren Bell sees several moves ahead for his company and industry. From the first crop he cultivated on his family’s sod farm, Warren has always looked for a better way of doing things. He absorbed every plant science class he could get his hands on and continued learning from agronomists and participating in Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), serving as its president in 2005. At Biograss, he developed sod varieties that meet the specific requirements of Utah’s unique microclimates. With his son, Clark, Warren developed Aqua-Yield’s innovative nanoliquid technology products and partnered with industry and investment leaders to bring them to market. The result is a more sustainable agricultural system. - CHRIS KAMBERG ∙ TriYield™ ∙ Owner
Chris Kamberg is the owner of TriYield™, located in Arcadia, Florida. He has extensive knowledge of the Florida fruit, vegetable, and sod markets with over 30 years experience in the industry. Chris’ mission is for TriYield™ to be the hub of agricultural innovation helping to solve the most di‑cult problems faced by growers today. - JIM ERICKSON ∙ Erickson Custom Operations ∙ President
Jim Erickson and his wife, Darcy, started Erickson Custom Operations in 2007 custom harvesting. In 2015 ECO became Midwest distributors for the product Calcine, based out of Arizona. In 2018 they were introduced to Aqua-Yield in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Jim Erickson and his wife reside in Colgate, ND. - SONNY MALONE ∙ Sugar Creek Ag ∙ Co-owner
Sonny Malone has been in the ag distribution industry since 1993. In the 90s, he worked for The Rigo Company and Pennington Seed. He spent nearly 20 years with Monty's Plant Food Company prior to starting Sugar Creek Ag with his business partner, Taylor Marret. Sonny lives in Shelbyville, Ky. His son Victor is a senior at Northern KY University and his daughter Mary is a junior at Western KY University. When he has free time Sonny enjoys catfishing at Kentucky Lake and is a big Louisville Cardinals fan. - KESTON GIUDICI ∙ L.A. Hearne Company ∙ Certified Crop Adviser
Keston was born and raised in King City, California and attended Cal Poly where he earned a BS in Crop Science. He currently works for L.A. Hearne Company as a Certified Crop Adviser focusing on nutrient management in fresh vegetables and strawberries.
Presentations were wrapped up by Keynote Speakers Jeremy Jones and Kelsey Boyer:
Jeremy Jones
was a professional snowboarder for 27 years. 5 and a half years ago Jeremy was in an Avalanche in the Uinta Mountain range in Utah, breaking both legs and ultimately forcing a new career path. With a tendency to prioritize passion first, Jeremy dove head first into rebuilding, then relaunching an iconic Snowboarding brand Forum Snowboards - to represent snowboarders and snowboarding's culture from a snowboarders voice and experience.
Slopestyle competitive snowboarder in high hopes of competing in the Olympics. During 2016
Kelsey Boyer
sustained a traumatic brain injury which resulted in immediate brain surgery. Her life drastically changed and she had to find herself & her purpose while dealing with bad post concussion symptoms. This led her to create a new non-profit, Save A Brain.
Dinner was followed by our annual awards in which we recognize our partnerships that had really excelled for the year, despite the volatility of the market.
NanoInnovator Awards: TriYield, Liberty Ag, Riggs Ag Solutions, Sugar Creek Ag, JMC
After the awards, attendees enjoyed music by fellow dealer Levi Riggs . Levi Riggs, a native of Danville, IN, is one of country music’s most exciting up and coming artists. He has scored multiple Billboard Indicator and Music Row Top 25 songs, has opened for superstars like Jason Aldean, Brett Eldredge, Justin Moore, Thomas Rhett, and many more. His viral hit “My Best Friend’s A Girl” put him on the map through Spotify. When he’s not singing he’s selling seed, product, and Aqua-Yield nanoliquid through Riggs Family Farm.
Our ultimate goal is to offer all American growers the benefits of our technology by expanding sales, agronomic, and dealer support. Aqua-Yield only hires the support of those that share our same passion for sustainable agriculture, integrity, soil health, and an empowering culture of innovation. Bring on 2023!
Have a question or want to learn more? Fill out the form below:
