About Us

At FarmTek, we’re more than just a catalog. Since 1979, FarmTek has expanded from a regional, two-person operation to one with corporate headquarters and sales call center located in South Windsor, Connecticut and a manufacturing and distribution center located in Dyersville, Iowa. This growth has allowed us to become a one-stop shop for agricultural needs, serving more than 300,000 happy customers worldwide.

It is our mission to make your life easier by providing products and information that help simplify running your farm, business or home. To that end, we strive to provide the highest quality products at the most competitive prices and to communicate our knowledge through this blog, buyer’s guides, webinars and more.

Administrator

Alyssa Davis – Marketing Production Manager

My time at FarmTek started when I was still in the marketing program at the University of Connecticut. As a Sales Intern, I worked with our National Account Managers to ensure that customers were getting the information they needed on our products and services. During my senior year of college, I moved from the sales team to the marketing department and began working on catalog production, case studies, editorials and more. Recently, I have taken on the social media responsibilities here, including managing our Facebook page and this blog.

I have learned quite a bit about growing during my time at FarmTek. From starting petunia seeds last spring to enjoying the delicious vegetables that our greenhouse has produced, being a part of this company has really made me appreciate how much time and effort goes into growing.

Contributors

Abigail Tobey – Fodder Specialist

Hello all, my name is Abigail. I began as an intern at FarmTek in 2008 while I was still in college. I am a fodder, structure, product and dairy equipment specialist here so my days here are always eventful. I grew up in Maine, splitting my time between the beautiful rocky seacoast and our family potato farm further north. Some of my fondest memories are spending that quality time with my grandparents and extended family, learning about hard work, patience and taking pride in what you do. That’s why I feel so blessed to work here and do what I love.

I first got interested in fodder because, to put it frankly, I thought it was cool. As an extremely curious person by nature, I was enthralled by this idea of hydroponic forage production. Every morning I would come into the warehouse and spend some time with the research & development guys, just asking question (after question after question). In the time since my interest still grows and I love that there is always something new to learn. It’s incredibly exciting to be able to share this “new generation of farming,” in all its simplicity, with our customers.

Sam Shroyer – Greenhouse Manager

My love of horticulture germinated on a small family farm in Northeastern Iowa. I learned early on the value of a hard day’s work and the satisfaction of growing your own food.  While earning my Bachelor’s degree in horticulture from South Dakota State University, I had internships in Denver, CO and Boston, MA. I was also lucky enough to be chosen to travel to Bolivia where a few classmates and I helped a small village establish sustainable agriculture practices. Some of my passions include my work with hydroponic tomatoes and growing fresh produce year round.

I joined FarmTek in early 2011. With almost 20 years of horticultural experience, my goal is to “re-teach” the public that sustainability and self-sufficiency is well within everyone’s reach. I feel that gardening has been removed from the fabric of our lives for a couple of generations. NOW is the time to rectify this situation! As a company, we are taking the steps to be on the leading edge of sustainability and profitability in the green industry.  We are prepared to help the small farmer and the commercial grower reach their personal goals in the agriculture industries.

Kathy Benoit – Dairy Specialist

My love of farming started at the age of 7 years old. I began in 4-H with a small group of rabbits and quickly grew up to have a desire to be a dairy farmer. My love of agriculture grew from being involved in 4-H and FFA during my school years and continued to grow as I attended the University of Connecticut in the animal science program. During my last year of college, I was a resident of the UCONN dairy barn, and milked cows for the farm I presently rent for my own herd of dairy cattle. I have been milking and showing my own small herd of Holsteins and Milking Shorthorns for the last 4 years.

I joined FarmTek in 2006 as a National Account Manager. While here at FarmTek, I have been privileged to be involved with our structures and general merchandise, while being able to specialize in our dairy systems and Premium Curtain Systems. In recent years, I have also become our product trainer, where I get to teach our other National Account Managers about both our extensive product lines, and the industries where they are used best. I am excited to share my knowledge with our National Account Managers, as well as our customers, and I hope my experiences can help any farmer become more productive, while keeping budget and efficiency in mind.

Vanessa Brown – Marketing Assistant

Growing up in a small town and having a personal love for all things farm and garden-related, I was thrilled to join the marketing team at FarmTek in November 2012. I graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 2010 with a B.A. in Communications and Marketing. Before joining FarmTek, I worked for an advertising agency for about two years. I’m very happy to be in a position where I am able to combine my personal background and interest in farming with my education and work history!

When I’m not helping to write blog posts or working on the next FarmTek catalogs, I like to spend as much time as possible being outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, mountain biking or doing yard work, you name it—I love it all. I also serve as an advisor for the Tolland County 4-H Fair association, which I love.

I hope you find our blog posts informative and most of all, fun to read!

Kathleen Osgood – Senior National Account Manager

I am a Senior National Account Manager and have been with FarmTek for nearly 6 years. I specialize in building and greenhouse sales for clients ranging from small hobby farmers to large-scale production businesses.  I love the variety in projects that I see on a month-to-month basis and I never stop learning from my clients.

I live on a lovely “farmette” in Connecticut where I grow numerous veggies in raised beds and high tunnels. I enjoy canning, storing and sharing my bounty every summer and regularly host “farm-to-table” suppers for friends and family. On the weekends you might find me herding my chickens, riding a horse or figuring out new ways compost more efficiently.  My project for this spring? To build a small pond a la Sepp Holzer & expand my free range flock of hens.