Grand Farm is excited to welcome Tracy Kurtz to the team! Tracy is joining us as our National Proving Grounds Project Manager. She helps coordinate agricultural technology trials that bring together growers, researchers, and innovators. In addition to this, she also transforms innovative ideas into field-tested solutions that make a meaningful impact on agriculture.

Read more below about why Tracy is excited to join the team!

Tell us a little bit about you!

“I grew up south of the Twin Cities/ MN, graduated from Fergus Falls/ MN, moved to the FM areafor school, and I’ve spent the last 17 years being a utility knife for a biotech company. I am a keen example of the Attenborough Effect and devote much of my time and energy into conservation efforts such as reducing plastic waste and expanding the certified pollinator habitat in my South Fargo yard. I am a certified Master Gardener/ NDSU and i LOVE to talk about plants- please come talk to me about your plants. 😀 I am wrapping up my 11 year stint as producer and host of Fargo Nerd Nite this year (it’s like a Ted Talk…with beer. fargo.nerdnite.com), and I also volunteer with 4Luv of Dog as a foster, when my resident dog, Nigel, will allow it.”

What college did you attend? What was your major?

“Minnesota State University Moorhead, Chemistry”

What’s one activity that energizes you?

“Drinking coffee”

Do you have a favorite book or movie?

“The Lord of the Rings and accompanying books were my first obsessive fandom, and it was followed by ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ (AKA Game of Thrones). Last year, I beat an entire bar full of people at LOTR trivia for three weeks running.”

Tell us one random fact about yourself!

“I have a horse named Roger. He lives in Horace at Jubliee Equine.”

What’s your favorite part about living in the FM area? What’s your favorite hidden gem that Fargo has to offer?

“I think Fargo itself is a hidden gem- it’s got everything you need from a city but with a very safe, homy feel.”

Why are you excited to work for Grand Farm?

“I am very excited to be back in the startup, scrappy mentality, where everyone is doing what it takes to get the job done. Corporate bureaucracy and executive leadership prioritizing optics and ego over actual results has been killing my soul for a few years now, and it is already very apparent that has no place here. Very excited to leave the corporate politics behind and do real, meaningful work again.”