Your Saskatoon Agro Grow Team would like to introduce you to our new team members.
Gary Knaus
Gary is currently a Sales Agronomist with our team. He was raised on a farm in Northeast Saskatchewan and obtained his degree at the University of Saskatchewan. Gary spent time in West and Central Saskatchewan working in the Ag industry residing in Zealandia, Sovereign, a farmyard just East of Wilkie and Saskatoon. After a 5 year period in the construction trade, he returned to the Ag Industry where he has enjoyed working the past 5 years. When Gary is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Michelle and his 2 children, Mitchel and Jillian. Gary just joined the Saskatoon Co-op Team in August and is looking forward to meeting the needs of its Ag members.
Ian MacMillan
Ian is currently an Agronomist with our Ag team. He was raised on a farm in Asquith until he was 8 years old. The family moved to Saskatoon where he attended Brunskill School and then Nutana Collegiate.He returned to farming in 1973 and graduated from the College of Agriculture in 1976. Ian has been an active volunteer member of the Asquith community including his work on the Asquith Co-op Board.
Ian is married to Judy and have one son, Graham, and two daughters, Teddi and Kate, plus two grandsons and three wonderful in-laws. Ian and Judy continue to hobby farm at Asquith.
Alvin Stephens
Alvin is now our Senior Agronomist. He was raised in the farming community of Macklin and obtained his degree in Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. He also received Certified Crop Advisor as an addition to his education. He has worked as a manufacturer representative and managed fertilizer and crop protection businesses in central and southern Alberta. Prior to moving to Saskatoon Co-op, he worked at Medicine Hat/South Country Co-op. Alvin believes that his success is dependent on the success of our customers. The more our growers receive quality information, services and products that we provide, the more successful we all will be.
Alvin is married to Cathy and has 2 adult children, plus dogs. They remain involved with farming in the Macklin area and Alvin has always been a Rider fan!
Bobbie Sopotyk
Bobbie is currently an Agronomist on our Grow Team. He received a Diploma and a Certificate in Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. His work history includes a sales representative agronomist position with Lake Country Co-op prior to moving to Saskatoon Co-op. By listening to what his growers were asking for and providing them with that service, his success shows in the relationships he has developed with customers.
Bobbie is married to Lori and has 2 adult girls and a 16 year old boy who is currently playing midget triple AAA hockey with the Prince Albert Mintos and is signed with the WHL, Kamloops Blazers. Bobbie enjoys, following Kyrell in his success with his hockey career, avid Montreal Canadiens fan, and enjoys sports and other outdoor related activities as well.
Courtney Walkeden
Courtney was born and raised in Weyburn, SK with two younger sisters Breanne and Hailey. Her parents both come from farming backgrounds and her dad’s family still continues to farm South of Tribune SK. Growing up she was heavily influenced by both the Oil & Gas Industry and Agriculture industry so decided to pursue and Education that involved both. She spent summers working for an Environmental Consulting company based in Weyburn, SK and worked on projects in Southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan conducting field assessments and assisting the clean-up of Oil Spills and pipeline failures.
Upon finishing her education, she decided to stay in Saskatoon and dive into the Agriculture Industry. She started at Federated Cooperatives Ltd. in 2015 and got to know all the retail Coop’s throughout Western Canada as well as the chemical and seed suppliers we work with every day. Her itch to get back into the field and onto farms lead her to the position here at Saskatoon Co-op as an Agronomist and is enjoying every minute of it. She enjoys staying active in the city and exploring all the dog parks with our Lab X rescue Dexter.
Visit the link below to view the complete Saskatoon Co-op Agro Team!