At Ag Leader, we value quality. Guided by our four core values – Excellence, Approachability, Ready-Willing-Doing, and the Courage to do What is Right, each of our departments strive to produce products they are proud to stand behind, never compromising on quality. Because we operate in a culture of continuous improvement, our product failure rate is less than 1.5%. While we are proud of that achievement, it also drives us to improve that number each day.
That commitment to quality also extends to the people we hire. As a part of the Ag Leader family, our employees value ethics, relationships, trust, and integrity while thriving in an atmosphere that is not only innovative and welcoming but encourages ideas and creativity.
Meet Sydney Baxter
Originally from Chillicothe, Missouri, Sydney Baxter grew up on her family’s row crop and cattle farm where she, along with her four younger siblings, were involved in 4-H and FFA. After high school, Sydney attended the University of Missouri, majoring in agricultural education, communications, and leadership.
“I knew I wanted to stay in the tight knit agriculture industry,” she says. “Through my education, various internship experiences, and my background in agriculture, I scored a job at Ag Leader as a training specialist in May 2023.”
In her role, Sydney co-facilitates training on hardware and software courses for Ag Leader staff, dealers, and customers virtually and in-person.
“I enjoy this aspect of my job the most,” she says.
As part of the training team, Sydney is also responsible for creating and updating video tutorials on the Ag Leader YouTube channels (Ag Leader Technology, Ag Leader SMS Tutorials, Ag Leader Tutorials) and developing content for the online courses on the Ag Leader Academy. In addition, the team collaborates with other departments to ensure the most current information is included in training materials, publishes the SMS™ software manual with each new version release, and hosts the monthly Learn One New Thing webinar on YouTube.
AL: Tell us more about your background in agriculture.
SB: My family still farms today, and I make time to go back home and help whenever I can. During my first year at Ag Leader, I’ve been able to implement Ag Leader technology on my family’s planter, combine, and spreader. This was our first year using autosteer. To say my dad was impressed was an understatement!
AL: What do you like most about working at Ag Leader?
SB: What I like most about working at Ag Leader is the opportunity to work with some of the brightest people! In collaborating with different departments, I have met so many innovative and outgoing people who are the brains behind Ag Leader products. Their new ideas challenge me to grow in my role as a training specialist daily.
AL: How do you ensure quality each day in your role?
SB: Quality is assured each day as I work with our team to update content, so the most relevant YouTube tutorials, slideshows, software manuals, or topics are included in each training modality delivered.
AL: In your time at Ag Leader, can you share an achievement or experience you are most proud of and why?
SB: I am most proud of how far I’ve come in the past year. From the people I’ve met internally or through dealer trainings to the life lessons I’ve learned at my first ‘big kid’ job, I’ve gained so much. I am grateful I started my career at Ag Leader!
AL: If there was one thing you want farmers to know about Ag Leader and the products we create, what would it be?
SB: We will make sure you have what you need to be successful including intuitive hardware and displays, training resources and opportunities, Knowledgebase articles, a customer support line, and webinars.
AL: What do you like to do in your free time?
SB: I enjoy traveling, gardening with my mom, drinking coffee with my friends, and baking for my family! I’m somewhat known for bringing treats into the office; ask our team about my cinnamon rolls! •
ABOUT THIS SERIES
In the We Are Ag Leader series, we will introduce you to a wide array of people who work at Ag Leader. Our founder, Al Myers, created Ag Leader in 1992 with one mission in mind: To provide a workplace that challenges and motivates individuals to create and deliver innovative products.
Ultimately, addressing the wants and needs of farmers is our number one priority. We exist to enhance the lives of farmers around the world by developing proven precision farming technology that exceeds farmers’ expectations.