Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
Generic

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
Laina Gray