Laina Gray
Independence,OR
Summary
Hard-working agricultural professional offering strong and well-rounded education and experience in the Ag industry. Experienced in large scale farming operations, leading large teams, and implementing innovative concepts into sustainable farming practices.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner/Operator
OnTrack Innovations LLC
Independence, OR
04.2022 - Current
- Oversee all aspects of blueberry harvest, from field evaluation to employee training to shipment coordination, ensuring strict adherence to the highest food safety standards compliant with Global GAP.
- Specialize in mechanical harvesting and pruning techniques, leveraging state-of-the-art harvesting machines to ensure optimal fresh quality and harvest efficiency.
- Manage a highly trained team in blueberry harvesting, driving excellence and continuous improvement in all operational areas.
- Implement sustainable farming practices to reduce costs and maximize yields, contributing to the overall growth and innovation of the blueberry farming industry.
- Drive business growth and market presence through innovative practices and a steadfast commitment to delivering superior results in blueberry farming excellence.
- Demonstrate expertise in leadership by fostering a culture of excellence and professionalism, instilling a passion for the industry and a commitment to delivering exceptional service to clients.
- Actively contribute to the growth and advancement of the blueberry farming sector through leadership initiatives aimed at driving industry-wide innovation and fostering collaborative partnerships.
HARVEST AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY COORDINATOR
AGRICARE
01.2019 - 04.2022
- Organize and coordinate blueberry harvest across 1000 acres averaging 10M lbs./season
- Manage both on the farm and off farm logistics
- Serving as the communication between farm and packers
- Uphold the highest food safety standards that correspond with Global GAP
- Manage up to 23 machines and a 250-person hand picking crew
- Specializing in machine calibrations and quality control to optimize ROI
- Create and support Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for all harvest functions including machine operator training, food safety, and daily machine harvester sanitation
- Improve operational efficiencies by implementing Continuous Improvement and LEAN concepts.
CROP CONSULTANT
WILBUR-ELLIS
04.2017 - 01.2019
- General inside sales and agronomy recommendations (seed, chemicals, fertilizer)
- Maintained and increased sales with existing and potential customers as support for the senor sales team
- Pest identification and integrated pest management (IPM) consulting
- Logistics for chemical shipments
- Soil sample analysis and fertilizer recommendations.
ASSISTANT FARM MANAGER
C&G AG LLC
06.2015 - 12.2016
- Assisted in managing all planting, cultivating, fertilizing, spraying, and harvest operations for 11,000 acres of Wheat, legumes, Alfalfa, and exportable Timothy hay
- Monitored crop development stages, determined maturity and executed harvest and post-harvest handling
- Oversaw pest and disease scouting and implemented a control program based on pest threshold
- Calibrated, mixed, and applied chemicals and fertilizers safely and efficiently for optimal crop production.
Education
Blueberry physiology and production -
OREGON State University
03.2018
B.S - Plant Science; Crop Management and Production with Honors
Washington State University
12.2016
A.S - Associates in Science with transfer option
Yakima Valley Community College
08.2011
Skills
- ODA Consultant License
- Yield forecasting
- Food Safety
- Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- SOP Formation
- OXBO Specialist
- Operations Management
- Operations Oversight
- Quality Assurance
- Pest management
- GAP compliance
- Organic farming
- Crop Management
- Proposal Development
- Client Relations
- Attention to Detail
Accomplishments
- Coordinated and hosted the 2018 Wilbur-Ellis’ Christmas Tree Growers Seminar in the Willamette Valley
- Lead the FFA agronomy team at Gar-Pal High School in Palouse WA. 2017 placing 2nd for WA state.
- Judge for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) regional business interview completion 2017
- Intern at WSU Weed ecology (2016) and Wheat breading lab (2013)
- Co-lead 2011 Yakima Valley Community College school symposium on “Organic farming as a sustainable practice”
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Owner/Operator
OnTrack Innovations LLC
04.2022 - Current
HARVEST AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY COORDINATOR
AGRICARE
01.2019 - 04.2022
CROP CONSULTANT
WILBUR-ELLIS
04.2017 - 01.2019
ASSISTANT FARM MANAGER
C&G AG LLC
06.2015 - 12.2016
Blueberry physiology and production -
OREGON State University
B.S - Plant Science; Crop Management and Production with Honors
Washington State University
A.S - Associates in Science with transfer option
Yakima Valley Community College