Freya is the Chair of the Associates Committee for the Pacific Seed Association. She sold Verbruggen Palletizers with the last two companies she was with for several years. She has now been part of the Verbruggen team for just over 2 years. Her current position with Verbruggen is Media & Public Relations.
In addition to her career in agriculture, she is a small time cut flower farmer.
We asked Freya a few questions about her thoughts on the Industry, her career and a few fun questions about herself.
PSA Questions
What is your favorite part of being a PSA member?
My favorite part of being a member of PSA is spending three days with industry friends in a beautiful location, golfing, networking and calling it “work”! I can’t wait for Tucson next year!
Any tips or advice for new PSA members?
Get involved! The more people you get to know, the more you participate in events, the more rewarding the experience will be.
Industry Questions
What do you love most about the seed industry?
I love how diverse it is. I’m always learning something new about how a different crop is grown or how a particular seed is produced. It’s incredible what goes into bringing a good seed crop to market.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter agriculture?
Find a place you can add value and start there. Be of service, make friends and ask a lot of questions.
What professional growth books have you read recently?
Right now I’m reading “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown. It’s a must read for anyone who tends to overcommit themselves or who loves to see and seize the opportunity in everything!
What’s a quote you love about the seed industry?
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” -Robert Louis Stevenson
Career Questions
What career advice do you live by? Who gave it to you?
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 Sometimes work can be stressful and schedules can be overwhelming. Focusing on the long term goals rather than the short term struggles helps me to get my perspective right.
What do you/did you love the most about your job?
The people I’ve been fortunate enough to meet, work with and call friends. It may sound cliché, but the agriculture industry is full of amazing, hardworking, intelligent and fun people.
What experiences and past roles have led you to where you are today?
Like many, I began my career in agriculture almost by accident. I started working for SCAFCO out of college on the commercial construction side as an operations assistant. I eventually worked my way into a District Sales Manager position in their grain systems division. From there, I went on to work for two different companies that sell seed mill processing, packaging and palletizing equipment in addition to feed and grain systems. Each experience gave me the opportunity to grow as an individual and to learn more about the agriculture industry. Understanding the upstream equipment has been invaluable to helping customers with their palletizing needs.
Fun Questions
Favorite place you’ve traveled?
I love to travel so it’s hard to pick one place in particular. I spent a semester in college living and studying in Granada, Spain and had the opportunity to see some really neat places while I was there. Morocco is probably the most unique place I’ve visited so far.
Fun fact that people probably don’t know about you!
In 2009 I was Miss Rodeo Idaho and went on to be 1st Runner Up to Miss Rodeo America.
Where are you from? Where did you go to school?
I was born and raised in Sandpoint, ID. I graduated from Washington State University with a BS in Animal Science and a Minor in Spanish.
What’s your go-to comfort food?
My go to comfort food is ice cream! Especially homemade.
Left photo: The flowers are dahlias growing on Freya's little farm.
Middle photo: Freya with her family horse and family - husband Colton, kids Sterling and Verity.
Right photo: The photo of Verbruggen trade show booth includes Freya with three US Account Managers, Scott Frankenfield, Ryan Heintz and Matt Craycraft.
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