Jeff Wenger, Risk and Compliance Manager

I was born and raised in Modesto, California into a generational farming family. From a young age, as most farm kids, I worked alongside my parents learning the operational intricacies of growing almonds and walnuts. I was also active in 4-H and FFA through various projects such as raising and showing pigs at the Stanislaus County Fair to growing alfalfa hay for a neighbor to parliamentary procedure.

Growing up in a farming family I always knew I wanted to be involved in the agricultural industry. In pursuing that plan, I attended Modesto Junior College (MJC) where I received my Associate’s Degree in Agribusiness. While at MJC, I was active in the Young Farmers and Ag Business Club and co-chaired the Modesto Junior College Field Day, hosting FFA students from across California competing in a wide range of contests. Following MJC, I transferred to California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Marketing and continued my involvement in the Agribusiness Management/National Agri-Marketing Association Club.

My professional experience encompasses a wide range of operational aspects of farming including crop science, food safety, labor management and relations, regulatory compliance, health and safety, permitting and licensing, environmental and land use compliance, and risk management across the U.S. Joining AgIS Capital has allowed me to leverage all of these aspects and be part of a dedicated team of agricultural professionals who work alongside each other to create an industry-leading organization delivering best in class results for our clients. The AgIS Capital team takes a boots-on-the-ground entrepreneurial approach to our work and allows for the ability to be involved in different aspects of the business, creating opportunities for learning and growth. It is exciting to be part of this company and culture as we continue to grow in the services we provide, crops we grow, and geographies we reach.

As I look to my future here at AgIS Capital I see a lot of potential to take on additional responsibilities as the business continues to grow. The last few years have brought about a lot of overall change to the way people live and work. With new regulations rapidly evolving to these changes, new technologies on the horizon, and changing weather patterns, it’s more important than ever that we not only adapt but capitalize on our entrepreneurial and ingenuitive spirit to find new and inventive ways to provide the safe, healthy products we grow.

With two-year old twins, life outside of work includes spending a lot of time with my family. It is such an exciting age and great to have the time together before time gets harder to come by, once they start school and have extra-curricular activities. We love spending time along the coast in Monterey and Carmel or up in Sonoma County. We also fit in short weekend trips when time allows to get in additional quality time with the kids. In addition, I have 10 acres of walnuts that I farm, and we have some exciting plans for a new venture to plant a lavender field on some of our remaining property and begin making various lavender products. It’ll be fun to learn to farm an ornamental crop while getting to look out at the beauty of a lavender field and enjoy the fragrance during the summer months.