Mike Hemman: 5 Things to Be Thankful for this Year

1. Our People

I am grateful to work with amazing people. In the agriculture industry, we are blessed to work with humble, down-to-earth people. I have had the opportunity to work with highly successful farmers, business founders, and agricultural entrepreneurs. People in the agricultural industry, hold a humility that is hard to find anywhere else.

2. Our Purpose

I recognize that I am fortunate to work for a purpose-driven company.

I am reminded of this when interviewing and hiring candidates. Potential team members are excited to have the opportunity to work for a company doing good in the world, knowing that their contributions can make a positive impact across farms and consumers worldwide.

The U.S. leads the world with the safest, most robust, and most diverse food supply on the globe. Precision irrigation is part of the puzzle that makes this possible, and I am proud to play a role in getting the food supply from the field to our tables, not just on Thanksgiving, but every day.

3. Our Growing and Expanding Markets

I am thankful for Netafim USA’s position in our core agricultural markets, and am grateful for the diversity of our business. Our specialty market experts deserve special recognition for supporting the company’s ability to excel in so much beyond agriculture.

Our landscape team contributes to aesthetically pleasing environments, helping customers reduce erosion and enhance economic value. Our mining team supports the growth needed to house and sustain our growing population. Our wastewater team helps to conserve resources by sustainably utilizing water that would otherwise be wasted. Our greenhouse team is changing the way that food is grown and enabling the production of fresh produce regardless of location.

All our work impacts real people in substantial ways, and I have a personal feeling of pride to be a part of this impact.

4. Our Opportunities for Connection

I am thankful for business partnerships, and the opportunity to better serve our customers through industry collaboration. Collaborations can create breakthroughs that advance the entire industry. I am proud of the partnerships Netafim USA has established with trade associations, universities, and other businesses who share the same goal of helping succeed.

The global nature of our company provides opportunities to connect with colleagues, customers, and business partners throughout the world. When I am not speaking to farmers, dealers, or other U.S.-based stakeholders, I may be collaborating with counterparts around the world. These meetings and discussions lead to new perspectives and opportunities. I am grateful for these interactions and the friendships that they have enabled.

5. Our Technology

I am proud of the innovative technology that Netafim is bringing to the industry. The overlap between traditional agriculture and hi-tech is greater today, than at any other point in history.

In the span of my career, I have seen the evolution of field scouting from random “boots on the ground” analysis, to drone, fixed wing, and satellite imagery. This is just one of the ways our industry is evolving.

These technologies transform how we approach our work, and I am excited for the new innovations that lie ahead.

I invite you to reflect on what you are grateful for this year, and to share your thoughts with the people around you. We truly do have a lot to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!