Take Five with the Taranis Team: Tim Pearson

In this get-to-know-the-team series, we’re sitting down with our Taranis team to learn more about what makes them tick. From their background to their thoughts on the future of ag, we’re sharing a weekly 5-minute snippet. First up, get to know our 27th employee, Tim Pearson: 

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into agronomy?

I grew up in an ag retail family in southeast Kansas. My dad would go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, basically eating supper at 11 o’clock every night. I thought it looked fun, so I decided to follow in his footsteps {insert sarcasm}. I went to school at Kansas State University and started my career with Cenex Analytics in Iowa as an agronomist. Over the next 30 years, I worked in various roles, including agronomist, fertilizer manager, and sales agronomist, across multiple states.

How did you come to learn about Taranis and decide to work for the company?

About five years ago, I got a call from a guy I didn’t know about a company I’d never heard of, offering technology I didn’t know existed. I thought, “Wow, if what this guy’s telling me is real, this is going to be the next big thing.” Within a week, I had an offer and joined Taranis as the 27th employee. From the initial phone call to talking with the sales manager and marketing manager, everything happened very quickly.

What stood out to you about Taranis that made you want to join the team?

Taranis’ technology was a game-changer. The insights, AI, and how it made information more user-friendly for agronomists were impressive. The ability to see and understand field conditions without constant field visits was a significant improvement. If I’d had Taranis back in my retail days, my life would’ve been a lot easier. It would have made my day-to-day work much more efficient and less stressful.

How has Taranis impacted your work-life balance compared to your previous roles?

The work-life balance is different now. I’m often on the road, but I also get to work from my home office. The demanding cycle of agronomy, with its long hours and constant stress, has been alleviated by Taranis’ technology. It would be kind of fun to go back to being a retail agronomist for just a week to see for myself the difference Taranis makes. I think it would be eye-opening to see how Taranis would reduce the chaos and stress in the busy season. 

How does Taranis enhance the relationship between you, the retailer, and the grower?

The level of relationship and loyalty between the grower, the retailer, and me is significantly enhanced by Taranis. The insights we provide are invaluable, allowing us to make informed decisions and build trust. Knowing that I can give growers the right information and that they trust me enough not to look elsewhere is priceless. It strengthens our relationships and ensures long-term loyalty.

What do you see as the future of AI-driven crop intelligence in agriculture?

In five to ten years, AI-driven crop intelligence will be an integral part of every farming operation, much like auto-steer and GPS are today. Technologies like Taranis will be essential for making informed decisions, improving efficiency, and maximizing yields. The industry will continue to evolve, and Taranis will be at the forefront of that transformation.

Why does the industry need Taranis today?

The industry needs Taranis for several reasons. There’s a significant lack of labor, and not many young people are willing to walk fields all day. Taranis provides the insights and information needed to make informed decisions without the need for constant field visits. It helps mitigate risks, improve efficiency, and build stronger relationships between growers, retailers, and agronomists. Taranis is truly a game-changer in the agricultural industry.