Meet the team: Garth Donald
Meet the TELUS Agriculture team members who are helping our customers create a more sustainable food future. Garth Donald, Manager of Agronomy, helps farmers enhance their production and sustainability with fertility recommendations, crop planning and sustainable solutions.
Garth Donald, TELUS Agriculture Manager of Agronomy, was born into agriculture. His entire family, from great-great grandparents on down, has been rooted in the industry. “Even as a young boy, I was growing crops in my own garden,” he says. “I loved working with the soil.” When Garth’s not helping farmers become more productive and sustainable, he and his wife enjoy travelling to Charleston, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina, USA, both of which are conveniently close to Charlotte Motor Speedway, where they can catch a NASCAR race and cheer on their favourite driver, Chase Elliott.
What is your role at TELUS Agriculture?
As Manager of Agronomy, I look after the input and output of soil data into our platform. I work with three other agronomists to come up with recommendations for our clients, and still cover a territory here in Canada myself. I get a lot of satisfaction in sitting down face-to-face with farmers to make fertility recommendations, help with crop planning, and come up with sustainable solutions.
What drew you to this business?
After 13 years in ag retail, I was tired of low sales margins. I wanted to get back to enjoying my work – working with growers and helping them be sustainable. So, Remi Schmaltz, Tasha Schmaltz and I decided to go out on our own by starting Decisive Farming. We wanted to help growers grow themselves and set the stage for growth for years to come.
What inspires you to come to work every day?
This isn’t work to me. I get a pay cheque, but to me, this isn’t a job. I genuinely enjoy helping growers find solutions. When I get a job, I’ll let you know.
What’s the best career advice you ever received?
The day you don’t have fun with what you’re doing, is the day you should look for another job. As I said, this isn’t work to me. I’m passionate about what I’m doing. If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, it’s time to find a different job.
What do you want people to know about TELUS Agriculture?
The biggest thing is that we are a fast-moving group that is looking to provide sustainability on the farm. Yes, farming has been around since time began, but with data, we’re now making a real difference in the industry and helping farmers be more efficient. That’s what TELUS Agriculture brings to the table. We’re making farming sustainable in all ways.
Since we’re talking about agriculture, do you have a favorite food?
Well, most days, I’d say that pizza is my favorite, but being here in Alberta (Canada), I’d have to admit that my number one food would be steak. Steak over the barbecue. Rare.
Learn about how data and technology can help reduce disease risk from Garth with our “Crop Disease Control and Management” webinar replay.
