Sidney Sugars Hires Agriculturist

Sidney Sugars has hired Duane Peters as its new agriculturist effective June 13. Peters will serve as agriculturist for growers in the Sugar Valley area.

Peters, no stranger to the Sidney area, is already well-known in the region and has the respect of many growers. Peters first arrived in Sidney in 1996 as an agriculturist for Busch Agricultural. He worked closely with the Eastern Agricultural Research Center on barley test plots, and when Busch Ag built its facility in Sidney in 2000, Peters worked as a field supervisor on behalf of Busch Ag.

Peters left Busch Ag to accept a position with a local lending institution, and then moved on to work with Helena Chemical in Sidney, a job he greatly enjoyed. However, the pull of hands-on agriculture and the desire to deal directly with growers lured Peters back to the field of production agriculture. "I worked at Helena Chemical and enjoyed both the job and the people," Peters says. "It was a good company, but it was indoor work. I enjoy interacting with farmers and I enjoy watching the seasons change and having direct contact with agriculture, so I wanted a change. I am so very glad to be back in production agriculture."

He adds, "I'm looking forward to walking the fields, working outside, and meeting the growers. I grew up on a sugarbeet and small grain farm, so this is like coming home for me."

Peters looks forward with great enthusiasm to his new responsibilities as agriculturist. "I love agriculture," he remarks. "It is fun and it always changes. Every year brings new challenges and new adventures. I wake up with a smile and wonder what the day will bring."

He adds, "Farmers are the best entrepreneurs. The knowledge and technology they possess is amazing."

Because he grew up on a sugarbeet farm, Peters understands the growers' needs and concerns, but he also understands the company's needs and concerns. He also knows the uncertainties and challenges of planting and he knows the ins and outs of harvest. He looks forward with anticipation to the long hours associated with getting the crop off the field in October. 'I've been on the farmers' side of harvest and now I'm on the business side," Peters comments. "I loved beet harvest and smell of the dirt, and I am looking forward to harvest as an agriculturist."

Peters appreciates the opportunity Sidney Sugars has given him. "I'm so glad to be back," he says. "I'm smiling all the time and I look forward to watching the beets grow. I also thank Sidney Sugars for allowing me to work here. These are great people and they have a wealth of knowledge. I'm excited to be here."