Gary Geske’s career path has always revolved around farming. As a high school junior, he bought a half section from his great aunts and started farming. He even worked his college schedule around the farming seasons.
A passion for motors led Gary to enroll in the Diesel Mechanics program at North Dakota State College in Wahpeton, and he ran an engine rebuilding business out of the family’s farm shop.
“I enjoyed tearing motors and equipment apart to see how they work. Some of it even got put back together,” Gary says with a smile.
Gary left the family farming operation in 1990 to become a district sales manager for Keltgen Seed. When Dow bought Mycogen and began merging companies in 1995, Gary pursued an opportunity at a machinery dealership.
Two years later, Gary returned to the seed business. He managed research plots and scored hybrids until 2001 when he and a business partner started Quality Seed Genetics (QSG). In 2009, Gary decided to concentrate on the seed treater business.
Then, in 2011, he joined the Product Development Team at Latham Seeds.
Gary and his wife, Sandy live only a few miles from where both of their families farmed outside Enderlin, about 40 miles west of the Minnesota border just off Highway 46.
“Sandy and I had a chance to meet some of the Latham management team before I joined the company, and it was very evident then that the company revolves around teamwork,” Gary says. “I was impressed by the company’s access to the industry’s best genetics and technologies.”
With nearly 35 years of seed industry experience, Gary provides a wealth of knowledge on everything from products to seed treatments. As sales agronomist, he will continue to support Latham’s northern area in an agronomic capacity. He looks forward to focusing on product promotion throughout the growing season.
Whether it’s meeting with farmers to select the best hybrids for their operation or choosing hops for some homemade brew, Gary is sure to have a good time! He and Sandy value time spent with friends and family, including their three children: Kyle, Kayla and David.
Time spent with family and friends usually goes hand-in-hand with good meals. Today the Geskes are sharing a family favorite recipe for “special sauce” that’s perfect on grilled burgers.