Finnesgard of AMPI receives field service award
Heather Thorstensen
Date Modified: 11/12/2009 9:00 AM
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Agri News staff writer
SPRING GROVE, Minn. -- Bob Finnesgard, an AMPI field representative, was busy at the end of October.
It was that time that comes every two years, when Minnesota Department of Agriculture interstate inspectors randomly check conditions on dairy farms.
"It's what gives us our Grade A standards," he said.
Finnesgard's job is to support dairy farmer-owners of AMPI in southeast Minnesota. He has approximately 100 farms on his route and can put up to 300 miles a day on his blue, Chevy Impala. He is the contact person between farmers and the dairy marketing cooperative. He helps producers with any kind of problem, from high somatic cell count to malfunctioning equipment.
"Someone's gotta trouble shoot and find out where they're coming from," he said.
For his work, the Upper Midwest Dairy Industry Association selected Finnesgard to receive their 2009 Field Service Award.
He's out doing farm calls just about every day.
Greg Pittman nominated him for the award. Pittman is a Minnesota Department of Agriculture dairy inspection supervisor based in Waseca.
They've known each other since Finnesgard started working as a field representative about 30 years ago. Finnesgard started working for AMPI in 2001.
"He's worked in the industry for quite a number of years and has always done a good job, always followed through," said Pittman.
Finnesgard works well with people and understands situations and problems, Pittman added. When state inspectors find something that needs to be corrected on a farm, Finnesgard is there to work with the producer to make sure concerns are addressed.
He has previously worked as a milk hauler, butter maker and cheese maker, but he likes field service work because he enjoys working with people. There's something new every day and he gets to be home every night.
He is based in AMPI's Rochester Division. He has a small farm in Spring Grove and works out of a home office.
The farm is mostly rented out, but he and his wife, Roxanne, still have a Hampshire ewe flock of about 50 head and four horses. They also have two daughters and three sons.