Valent U.S.A. October Newsletter.
NEWSLETTER Welcome to the latest edition of the Valent Newsletter: A quarterly update featuring company news, key initiatives, and insights from across the business. To submit an article or provide feedback, email: newsletter@valent.com FY25 Q2 OCTOBER 2025 ROOTED IN PURPOSE. CONNECTED BY COMMUNICATION. VALENT U.S.A.
CONTENTS Matt’s Message............................. 1 SLT Updates..................................2 Safety & Innovation.......................5 News, Events & Initiatives.............6 Colleague Spotlights....................14 Customer Spotlight......................18 Culture Corner.............................19
WELCOME TO THE VALENT U.S.A. NEWSLETTER
HELP US MAKE THE NEXT NEWSLETTER
The Valent U.S.A. newsletter has a fresh, updated design to make it easier to read, explore, and engage with content. We want it to showcase the stories and experiences that make our team unique.
We’d love to feature personal milestones like birthdays, anniversaries, or new babies; kids’ school or sports achievements; family trips or seasonal traditions; team highlights; industry news; personal interests; or helpful advice you think is relevant to your colleagues. We’d love for you to share for consideration of being included in the Valent U.S.A. newsletter.
Send your stories, photos, or highlights to newsletter@valent.com and help make the next edition a true reflection of our team.
And, as always, If you have any feedback to help make the newsletter better, please let us know at newsletter@valent.com
A message from the President & Chief Executive Officer MATT’S MESSAGE
Dear Valent Team,
We have finished the 1 half of the fiscal year, and I am pleased with our progress and performance. All four corporate goals are tracking to plan with outstanding work going into our new product launches and advancing our culture of safety and compliance. st
The sales revenue is lagging our LBE (latest best estimate) due to timing of shipments but expected to catch up in Q3 as new production is available to fulfill open orders and customer commitments. You have done an excellent job of managing expenses and cash flow resulting in a solid P&L and strong balance sheet. The 2 half of the year will require outstanding execution of our business plan. We will continue to focus on the growth of the premium brands while defending our share of the legacy products. This balanced approach will optimize the profitability for Valent and our customers in an incredibly challenging ag economy. nd While the commercial team is leading the way with customer focus and demand creation, our technology and asset management teams must continue to advance the innovations of our pipeline and product life cycle management projects. These new technologies are critical to our value proposition to the industry and our future growth in North America.
I want to express my appreciation to the entire Valent team for your commitment and effort in fiscal year 2025. Your attention to detail and your sense of urgency will lead us to a strong finish!
Sincerely,
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WWW.VALENT.COM
TOP 3 WITH
THE SLT
SALES
National Meeting – In August, the “Leap Beyond Limits” meeting energized Sales, Marketing, and FMD teams around demand creation, unique value propositions, differentiation, and innovation. Sales Training – Ag Sales and SSBU leaders completed ‘Coaching for Sales Performance’ training in September to complement earlier field team sessions. Business Planning – Regional Sales teams and Account Managers are advancing Annual Business Plans and setting targets with key retail and distributor accounts for Market Year 2026 and beyond.
JOHN SMITH
FIELD RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Rapidicil at the National Sales Meeting: Participants of the 2025 National Sales Meeting in Nashville toured Rapidicil plots at UT's Highland Rim Research Station. Special thanks to Randall Landry, Pat Clay, Ron Estes & Christine for organizing! Research Station Highlights: MSARC hosted Valent BioSciences in July for a biostimulant field tour, and MWARC welcomed the Procurement Team for a retreat, field tour, and hands-on research experience. Recognition: Garrison Gundy, FMD Specialist, was named Alumnus of the Month in September by the Weed Science Society of America’s Graduation Student Organization. Learn more here .
KENNY SEEBOLD
REGULATORY STRATEGY & FORMULATIONS
Fierce EZ: The Formulation team developed a new “recipe” reducing settling and improving physical properties. In September, early EPA approval was received, and the new formulation will be used in future production. Rapidicil Project: Products remain under EPA review, with ESA mitigations addressed and registration on track for early 2026. The new tank cleaner formulation is complete and undergoing safety and performance testing for launch with Rapidicil. MAHA: Thanks to Jeff Smith and partners, the MAHA report highlighted agriculture and science-based risk assessment, resulting in a final report recognizing the pesticide registration system as the “gold standard.”
ERIC TAMICHI
SUPPLY CHAIN
Ariba Implementation - Successfully launched phase 1 (of 2) of Ariba Procurement System. Ariba will streamline sourcing, improve compliance, and enhance visibility across VNA companies. Continuing Education - Distribution and Logistics team is scheduled to complete Hazmat, IATA and Maritime regulations training before the end of 2025. Training is focused on ensuring Valent USA is accurate and compliant with export regulations. Audit – After completing a successful 2024 Audit, Supply Chain is entering the beginning stages of FY25 Audit, J-Sox, ICad and KPMG. FINANCE I encourage everyone to read the Finance Newsletter . We believe you'll find the information valuable. The 1st edition was published in August. Let us know if any topic interests you or if you have feedback to share. ROIC - Return on Invested Capital as a key financial objective . Please consider cash flow improvement actions in your daily operations. Focus on high-margin product sales, limit accounts receivable sales extension and operational spend savings to help improve cash flow.
JOHN KEEVEY
FERNANDO CELORIO
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SLT UPDATES
We are tracking 35% ahead of previous year invoice sales, special shout out to our extremely supportive account management team for their focus on the biorational portfolio The SSBU Team heads to the SSARC (sustainable solutions agronomic research center) for in field sales training mid-October I traveled to Michigan to meet with Gerber baby foods and Star of the West Milling to talk sustainability and our solutions, special thanks to team Michigan for hosting! SUSTAINABILITY
TIFFANY DEAN
MARKETING
OneStream Implementation: Kick-off held September 23–24 in Libertyville, with strong cross-functional support; target go-live is Q1 2026. FY25 LBE & FY26 SRP: Plans were developed incorporating July BOD guidance and will be presented at the Global SRP meeting in November. VdM IBP Rollout: Planning supported VdM in implementing the Integrated Business Planning process, leveraging VUSA best practices; rollout successfully launched in August. PLANNING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Product Lifecycle Management (PLCM) Projects: Collaborating with AMTs, SCC Global Supply, and strategic third parties to source key active ingredients for innovative mixtures (e.g., INDIFLIN, Rapidicil, Bt) and supporting Rapidicil pre-launch in the USA and Canada. Strategic Third-Party Supply and Sales Relationships: Managing third-party business to optimize market access, complement the branded strategy, and negotiate better prices and payment terms for Valent USA. Data Compensation: Partnered with Regulatory and Legal to execute a significant settlement, pursuing additional third-party settlements, and providing Data Compensation Fundamentals training for Valent USA, Valent BioSciences, MGK, and ASDI in October. Excalia and OutReach Tour: Wrapped up in September with strong participation, excellent results, and excitement from the team and industry partners. With Excalia’s strong trial performance and confidence in full-season use, the Southeast team is energized and optimistic heading into Market Year 26. 2025 USMCA Marketing Meeting: Held in September with Valent USA, Valent Canada, VPP, VdM, VBS, MGK, and ASDI, the meeting was a productive exchange of information thanks to careful preparation by session leaders and support from Kristi, Marisa, and Shimizu-san. Presentations are available for those needing access. Market Year 2026 Campaign Kickoff: Marketing Communications launched campaign planning in September via three engaging Teams meetings for row crops, specialty crops, and minor acre crops. Attendance topped 200, with participation from Valent USA, Canada, de Mexico, Valent BioSciences, MGK, and ASDI—featuring rich content, crisp presentations, and broad engagement.
DAVE POLING
HISA WATANABE
GEOFF QUICK
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Foundations & Security: IT completed the first two reorganization phases and is building a growth- ready organization by June 2026. The Quarterly All Hands aligned the team on vision, celebrated contributions, included a Fertile Groundworks volunteer event, and ICAD completed a successful J- SOX audit. Phishing training completion reached 98%. New Business Tools: Ariba Phase 1 launched September 22 to improve sourcing, compliance, and visibility; Phase 2 begins January 2026 to transform supplier management. OneStream implementation also kicked off to modernize financial planning and replace Everest by June 2026. What’s Ahead: Next quarter, SAP and Windows 11 upgrades will finish, OneStream implementation will advance, and the data foundation will be strengthened to support digital and AI initiatives.
KANNAN KRISHNAN
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SLT UPDATES
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Don’t miss your opportunity to submit your best photos for a chance to be featured! See all details and guidelines on the Photo Contest Website . The Valent Vault : Corporate Communications has created a new online hub where you can upload and share your field photos and videos and access curated visuals for use across the business. Valent Views Campaign Success : The video series is thriving, showcasing our reps’ expertise with real- time field insights. Already available on Valent.com, social channels, Spotify, SharePoint, and V-TV, it features Kevin Campos, Tim DeSilva, Anthony Griffin, Luis Mora, Daniel Albritton, Amy Irish-Brown, Jim Wargo, Russ Fraleigh, and more to come.
STEVE TATUM
LEGAL
Compliance Month (November): All employees should participate in assigned compliance training and ensure their departments complete the annual compliance risk assessment. Watch for the upcoming Workplace Harassment Prevention course on NAVEX Global and invitations to the Compliance Alliance annual training. Congrats to Valent U.S.A. employees for achieving 100% completion on last quarter’s Code of Ethics training! Board of Directors Approval Procedure: The Board directs company business and reserves authority to approve significant documents and actions per the Delegation of Authority (DOA) policy. The Board has eight members—five in the U.S. (including Matt Plitt, Andy Lee, Hisa Watanabe, Shin Shojima, Juan Ferreira) and three in Japan. Consult the DOA or Legal for questions or approvals.
KEN MACKAY
HUMAN RESOURCES
This summer we were excited to have Laks Palani, our new Sr. Human Resources Coordinator start with our team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. Sue and Amber traveled to Nashville, TN for the National Sales Meeting to launch DiSC training across the Sales and Marketing teams. We’re thrilled to almost have the entire Valent USA staff trained in DiSC. We’re working on additional trainings and tools that DiSC provides to assist us in our daily work. We had a successful rollout of Effective Communication Training that was VGC wide. We received excellent feedback from staff about the tools that were provided. The training is saved on SharePoint for future viewing.
AMBER BROCKS
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” -Henry Ford
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SAFETY & INNOVATION
SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS
Holiday Safety Tips from Your Safety and Security Team By Shawn Lewis As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of celebrations, shopping, and travel. However, this time of year also brings an increase in theft, scams, and other safety risks—both at home and in the workplace. Staying aware of your surroundings is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your belongings. Whether you’re out shopping or attending seasonal events, keep personal items secured, avoid displaying expensive purchases in plain sight, and never leave valuables unattended in vehicles. Online safety is just as important during the holidays. With more people shopping and sharing information digitally, cybercriminals often take advantage of the season. Be cautious of suspicious emails or texts offering deals that seem “too good to be true,” and never click on unfamiliar links. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. If you’re ordering packages, consider using secure delivery options or having them sent to a trusted location to prevent porch theft. Finally, if you’re traveling or spending extended time away from home, take simple precautions to protect your property. Lock all doors and windows, use timers on lights to make your home appear occupied, and avoid posting detailed travel plans on social media. In the workplace, report any suspicious activity to security immediately and follow all building access protocols. A little extra vigilance goes a long way—by staying alert and prepared, we can all enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.
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NEWS, EVENTS & INITIATIVES
Announcing Sumitomo Biorational Company LLC: Our New Global Center of Excellence for Biorational Innovation
On Oct. 13, Valent BioSciences LLC, MGK, and Valent North America LLC announced they will come together under a new unified organization named Sumitomo Biorational Company LLC (SBC), a subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Company Ltd (SCC) in April 2026. Based in Libertyville, Illinois, the integrated organization will serve as SCC’s Global Center of Excellence for Biorational Innovation, designed to accelerate the company’s industry-leading capabilities in providing integrated, sustainable biorational solutions derived from natural sources such as microbials and botanicals to customers around the globe. The new company will manage global agricultural and environmental health practices for biorational technologies. The Center of Excellence will focus on best practices and talent development, while collaboratively developing a range of products that contribute to regenerative agriculture and sustainable environmental health.
What This Means for Valent U.S.A. Valent U.S.A. and its subsidiaries such as Valent Canada, and Valent de Mexico will continue to operate separately, serving our respective agriculture markets across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The team will remain focused on the marketing and sales of a unique and progressive portfolio of conventional and biorational crop protection and enhancement solutions that advance productivity, profitability, efficiency, and sustainability for growers. Together with creating the Center of Excellence, we’re also especially excited about the upcoming registration of our new innovation, Rapidicil®, a fast-acting, effective solution for weed control. Rapidicil® supports regenerative practices by helping growers extend their cover crop window and better plan for soil protection and carbon capture, ultimately improving system performance and flexibility. Looking Ahead We understand that any organizational change raises questions. To help ensure every voice is heard, we’ve created an anonymous feedback form where you can submit your questions and comments. We will post updated Q&As to an internal SharePoint Site so everyone has access to the latest information and leadership will address common themes in future Town Halls and other communications venues.
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NEWS, EVENTS & INITIATIVES
SAVE THE DATE 2026
VALENT SUMMIT Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile AUGUST 3-6, 2026 Chicago
Photo Contest Submission Deadline: October 15!
We’re excited to showcase the people, places, and purpose behind our work in agriculture through the Valent U.S.A. Photo Contest. Whether you’re in the field, lab, or office, your photos tell the story of who we are and the impact we make—submit your entry by October 15! Click the link below to learn more.
Submit Your Photos Here
National Sales & Marketing Meeting 2025
Last week, a large group of the Valent U.S.A. team gathered in Nashville, Tennessee, for the 2025 National Sales and Marketing Meeting. Our theme, “Leap Beyond,” energized us to continue advancing agriculture and strengthen our commitment to serving growers and customers. We were inspired by engaging presentations on our strong and diverse pipeline of biorational, botanical and conventional solutions along with demonstrations of our latest innovation. A big thank you to everyone who participated for your energy, focus and heart in making a truly impactful meeting, and for leaping beyond with purpose as we work to drive innovation and support North American agriculture. Watch this slideshow to learn more.
Watch The Highlight Reel Here
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NEWS, EVENTS & INITIATIVES
Photo Contest Submission Deadline: October 15!
We’re excited to showcase the people, places, and purpose behind our work in agriculture through the Valent U.S.A. Photo Contest. Whether you’re in the field, lab, or office, your photos tell the story of who we are and the impact we make—submit your entry by October 15! Click the link below to learn more.
From July 19–23, Valent’s Pat Clay, Mike Martin, Shar Laperal, and interns Elle Rashkin and Aliza Yoder joined students, peers, and leading companies — including Syngenta, UPL, BASF, Corteva, and Bayer — at the AFA Plant Science Leaders Conference. Throughout the week, we took part in career roundtables, shared our own journeys, and answered questions about opportunities in agriculture and at Valent. Connecting directly with students from across the country was energizing — their curiosity, passion, and bold ideas about the future of agriculture truly inspired us. We also had the pleasure of reconnecting with Bill Hendrix, former VP of Technology, and gaining fresh perspective from his years of experience. Beyond the roundtables, our team swapped stories and insights with other industry professionals. The career panels, networking sessions, and keynote talks offered fresh perspectives on leadership, innovation, and building meaningful careers in agriculture. We left the conference not only excited about the future of our industry but also grateful for the chance to mentor — and to be mentored by — the next generation of leaders. Collaborating with students and peers reminded us how powerful these cross-industry connections can be and how they shape the future of agriculture. Inspiring Connections at the AFA Plant Science Leaders Conference By Sharleen Laperal
Valent Surpasses Goal for AFA Day of Giving!
We’re thrilled to announce that our team raised $5,825 for the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Day of Giving — surpassing our $5,000 goal! Thanks to everyone who contributed, shared, and helped spread the word, we not only hit our target but also unlocked Valent’s dollar- for-dollar match, doubling our impact for AFA’s programs that support the next generation of agriculture leaders. A huge thank-you to all who donated and participated. Your generosity is helping students grow, learn, and thrive in the agriculture industry. Together, we’re cultivating the future of agriculture!
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NEWS, EVENTS & INITIATIVES
Log your FY25 SDG investments! We want to hear what you are doing in your personal lives and at work to contribute to Valent’s top 5 priority Sustainable Development Goals. Please take a moment to complete the Reporting Form to log your investment . You must submit 1 form per investment from April 1, 2025 - now. Learn more about our priority SDGs and company goals . For further guidance on what to submit, refer to this PDF .
Improved NAIC Waste Stream: Know Where Your Trash Goes!
We’ve updated signage at the Market and Coffee Bars to make it easier to identify where different waste items belong. From K-Cups to compost, recycling, and leftover food, every properly sorted item helps improve conditions for our planet. Check out the full guide here to see exactly what goes where and help us keep sustainability in action at NAIC!
Join JIRI-RITA ACTION 2025! This year, Valent U.S.A. is taking part in JIRI-RITA ACTION, an initiative for Sumitomo Chemical Group employees to put our corporate philosophy into action—as teams! Theme for FY2025: “Take on Challenge: Be an Innovative Solution Provider! Implement ‘Jiri-Rita Koushi-Ichinyo’ Through Our Work.” When: August 4 – November 28, 2025 How to participate: 1. Watch the short video (~13 min) on the theme and participation. 2.Reflect: “What challenges will we take on to become an Innovative Solution Provider?” 3.Share ideas with your team during a discussion led by your department/workplace leader. 4.Declare your team’s idea using the submission form (group photo optional). What we’re looking for: Ideas that help us work smarter, improve efficiency, reduce waste, streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and innovate beyond current routines.
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NEWS, EVENTS & INITIATIVES
Teamwork Takes the Win at Valent’s Annual Cornhole Tournament! The Valent team came together for our annual cornhole tournament — the perfect chance to unwind, connect, and enjoy some friendly rivalry outside the day-to-day. Events like this remind us that the same teamwork, energy, and spirit that drive our mission in agriculture also make Valent a great place to work, play, and grow together.
Valent at the 2025 Crop Consultant Conference! We had a great time at the 2025 Crop Consultant Conference in Visalia, CA! It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with PCAs, CCAs, and other ag professionals, and showcase sustainable crop protection solutions like DiPel®, XenTari®, Pyganic®, and Debug®.
Collaboration in Action! In late September, Valent U.S.A. and Valent BioSciences teams visited peanut research trials at the University of Georgia with Field Market Development Specialist Hunt Sanders. The group reviewed Excalia® trials for white mold and Rhizoctonia limb rot, and Outreach® SC trials for nematode control. Thanks to our UGA partners for advancing grower-focused research!
Valent Supports Zero Hunger On #NationalFoodBankDay, Valent U.S.A. celebrated the amazing staff and volunteers behind food banks nationwide—especially our partners at the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. We’re proud to support #ZeroHunger by helping growers deliver a safe, reliable food supply and ensuring nutritious food is accessible for all.
USMCA Marketing Meeting Showcases Collaboration and Innovation Valent hosted the annual USMCA Marketing Meeting at the North American Innovation Center, uniting ASDI Japan, Valent, and MGK teams to align on strategy and innovation. Discussions highlighted collaboration and new developments around Rapidicil®.
Valent Attends Ag PhD Field Day in Baltic, SD! Valent showcased our corn and soybean portfolios along with a mode of action trial focused on cover crop burndown and control of volunteer corn and waterhemp.
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NEWS, EVENTS & INITIATIVES
Celebrating Excellence in Apple Growing Valent U.S.A. congratulates Jim Engelsma of
Our President & CEO Matt Plitt joined Suzanne Alexander on RFD-TV President & CEO Matt Plitt joined Suzanne Alexander on RFD-TV to discuss how Valent is tackling growers’ toughest challenges, leveraging digital technologies and AI, and investing in the next generation of ag leaders through partnerships with FFA, AFA, and MANRRS—highlighting Valent’s innovation and leadership in agriculture. Watch here.
Engelsma’s Apple Barn (Walker, MI), named 2025 Apple Grower of the Year by American Fruit Grower. A third- generation grower, Jim is recognized for his innovative orchards, award-winning cider, and mentorship. We also honor regional winners Joy Cline, Benjamin Schilling, and Cass & Mac Gebbers. As exclusive sponsor, Valent U.S.A. celebrates the leadership driving American apple production.
Valent celebrates National Intern Day! Celebrating the Next Generation of Agriculture
Valent at the 2025 Southern Peanut Growers Conference John Powell and Ken Barton received the Valor Award, presented by Valent U.S.A. to honor leaders shaping the peanut industry. Powell retired as Executive Director of the American Peanut Shellers Association after 38 years, and Barton retired in March 2025 after 23 years with the Florida Peanut Producers Association. Valent U.S.A. is proud to sponsor this recognition of their lifelong dedication to research, advocacy, and grower support.
Our 2025 Valent U.S.A. interns brought curiosity, energy, and fresh perspectives to teams nationwide. Watch the video to hear what they’ve learned, what surprised them, and how they’re growing with Valent. Check out the video.
Inspiring Future Crop Scientists MWARC in Seymour, IL recently welcomed Parkland Community College’s Introduction to Crop Science students for tours and hands-on learning, giving them a closer look at the research and purpose behind our work in agriculture. We can’t wait to host the next generation!
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NEWS, EVENTS & INITIATIVES
Valent Celebrates Women’s Equality Day
This Women’s Equality Day, Valent shared insights from some of the remarkable women at Valent U.S.A. as they offer advice and encouragement to the next generation of women pursuing careers in agriculture.
Their perspectives highlight the importance of confidence, resilience, collaboration, and breaking new ground. These inspiring messages reflect their commitment to supporting and empowering future leaders in the industry.
Here’s to lifting up the next generation, today and every day!
Watch here
Valent Celebrates Labor Day & Memorial Day with “It Starts With You” Tribute Video Series
“It Starts With You”
Valent U.S.A. celebrated Labor Day and Memorial Day with the “It Starts With You” tribute video series, honoring the growers whose dedication and hard work keep agriculture thriving. The title, “It Starts With You,” reflects the vital role growers play in every step of agriculture, from planting the first seed to nurturing healthy harvests. The series pays tribute to their efforts to care for the land, support their communities, and ensure a strong future for generations to come, reminding us all that progress in agriculture starts with the growers we celebrate.
Watch here
Watch here
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NEWS, EVENTS & INITIATIVES
Valent Views: Showcasing Expertise and Thought Leadership in the Field
Launched in July, the Valent Views campaign takes our Sustainable Solutions Business Unit (SSBU) reps into the field to showcase their deep expertise and thought leadership in sustainable agriculture. Each episode highlights how our team tackles real-world challenges, shares best practices, and provides insights that growers can trust—demonstrating the knowledge, experience, and leadership that set Valent apart.
By connecting with growers directly in their orchards and fields, Valent Views underscores the practical guidance and strategic perspective our SSBU reps provide, reinforcing Valent’s role as a trusted partner in the agricultural community.
Watch all episodes of Valent Views below to see our thought leadership in action. Stay tuned, plans are underway to expand the campaign, bringing even more insights and regions to the series.
Real Reps. Real Fields. Real Experts.
Anthony Griffin California Strawberries
Amy Irish-Brown Michigan Apples
Daniel Albritton Georgia Peanuts
Luis Mora California Lettuce
Watch here
Watch here
Watch here
Watch here
Watch here
Russ Fraleigh Florida Citrus
Jim Wargo Massachusettes Apples
Tim DeSilva California Pistachios
Kevin Campos California Almonds
Watch here
Watch here
Watch here
Watch here
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COLLEAGUE SPOTLIGHTS
WELCOME NEW TEAMMATES
Meggie Gilbert Account Manager, Sustainable Solutions, Strategic Farms
Tyler Maas Territory Account Manager
Learn More
Learn More
Laks Palani Sr. Human Resources Specialist, Valent North America
Akiyoshi Ueyama Corporate Planning Manager & Sr. Financial Analyst
Learn More
Learn More
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COLLEAGUE SPOTLIGHTS
Happy 30 years, Joel Maurer
Happy 25 years, Donna Hoover
Happy 15 years, Matt Plitt
Happy 15 years, Jared Busick
Happy 15 years, Jared Busick
Happy 10 years, Tim Thompson
Happy 10 years, John Whitby
Happy 10 years, Kenneth Nelson
Happy 10 years, Teresa Morse
Learn More
Happy 5 years, Jill Calabro
Happy 10 years, Kelly Zhou
Happy 10 years, Marisa Mathis
Happy 5 years, Shruthi Nune
Honor their milestone—send a Valent e-card today
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COLLEAGUE SPOTLIGHTS
Jeff Smith Elected Vice Chair of CLA Congratulations to Jeffrey Smith, Associate Director of Industry and Government Relations at Valent U.S.A., on being elected Vice Chair of CropLife America’s Strategic Oversight Council! Jeff’s leadership and commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture continue to make a lasting impact.
Valent Celebrates Garrison Gundy! We’re proud to share that Garrison Gundy has been named Alumnus of the Month by WSSA GSO! His dedication to advancing weed science and supporting growers makes a lasting impact at Valent and across the agricultural industry. Congratulations, Garrison!
Congratulations Julie! We’re proud to recognize Julie B. Schlekau of Valent U.S.A. as our August Face of the Industry! With over 30 years in specialty pesticide regulation, Julie is celebrated for her collaborative leadership and commitment to mentorship —qualities that continue to inspire as we kick off the RISE Annual Meeting and launch the Young Professionals Network.
Driving Science Forward: Shruthi Nune Shines at Symposium
Shruthi Nune, alongside colleague Zhengyu Huang, represented Valent USA at the 44th ASTM E35 Symposium in Atlanta this October. Shruthi’s presentation, “Rational Approaches to Investigate the Root Cause of Crystallization in a Mixture Formulation,” impressed attendees with its clear scientific reasoning and practical insights. The symposium, focused on sustainable innovation in pesticide formulation, provided Shruthi an opportunity to share her expertise and bring back ideas to advance innovation at Valent.
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COLLEAGUE SPOTLIGHTS
Congratulations to the Game Changer Award Recipients From 2025 National Sales Meeting.
Celebrating a Legacy of Excellence This year, Monte Peckinpah received the Distinguished Career Award in honor of his 40 remarkable years with Valent. His dedication, expertise, and leadership have left a lasting impact on the company and the industry. Please join us in a big congratulations to Monte for his outstanding achievements.
Game Changers
Christine Tew
Steve Anderson
Sarah Markle
Devonne Marshall and Brad Syltie
Kristina Madden
Caleb Adams
Amy Irish-Brown
Matt Richards
Eric Ott
Chad Smith
Mike Ryckman
Mark Thompson
Chris Meador
Matt Lawrence
Congratulations to the named SalesForce Award Recipients Regional Award Winners: Sean Fuchs (West), Mike Thie (Midwest), Travis Ralfs (South), Travis Gardner (Southeast), Adam Constine (East), Anthony Griffin (SSBU) Daniel Albritton - Leap Beyond Mike R - Most Engaged Tim Thompson - Culture Cultivator Erin Miller - Stand Out Champion of Salesforce Brian Rund - Contact Machine Brad Gunnink - Call Points and Emails Lynn Hurley - Task Getter
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CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT
Helena Agri-Enterprises By Terry Specht
At the heart of modern agriculture is a company that blends innovation, service, and integrity: Helena Agri-Enterprises. With roots dating back to 1957, Helena has grown into one of the nation’s leading agricultural and specialty formulators and distributors. We’re proud to shine this quarter’s customer spotlight on Helena, a company deeply committed to helping growers succeed season after season. A Trusted Partner in the Field Helena provides a full range of agricultural solutions—from crop protection and fertility to seed treatments and precision ag services—guided by their motto, “People…Products… Knowledge®.” With over 500 U.S. locations, their team combines on-the-ground expertise with tailored support, delivering both products and trusted insights to help growers make informed decisions. Driving Innovation Through Technology Helena continues to lead the way in precision agriculture through tools like Extractor™ and AGRIntelligence®. These platforms help growers monitor soil health, optimize input use, and boost productivity while supporting sustainability goals. By investing in digital tools and R&D, Helena empowers growers to do more with less, preserving resources while maximizing yield. Shared Values, Shared Success We value our longstanding partnership with Helena Agri- Enterprises. Their commitment to stewardship, safety, and sustainability aligns with our own vision for responsible growth in agriculture. Working together, we’ve been able to deliver integrated programs that reward early commitment, support stewardship reporting, and recognize Helena’s strength as a trusted retail channel. Through tailored rebate programs and ongoing collaboration with Helena’s Business Unit VP’s, Division managers and Sales Managers, we continue to support shared success, from strategic purchasing to portfolio growth Looking Ahead At Valent, we believe that the most meaningful growth comes through strategic partnerships, and few exemplify this better than Helena Agri-Enterprises. As one of the nation’s leading distributors of crop protection, fertilizer, seed, and precision ag services, Helena has earned a reputation for excellence, innovation, and trust.
Forging Stronger Connections Through Project Synergy In early 2025, we launched Project Synergy, a targeted initiative designed to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and deliver impactful product training with Helena. This initiative emerged from a shared desire to evolve our relationship to one centered on strategic engagement and mutual success. Key Goals of Project Synergy: Establish consistent, structured communication at all levels, Build multi-tiered relationships between Helena and Valent teams, Provide targeted, high-value training on Valent products, Drive measurable growth in brand adoption and sales, Create a shared definition of “win-win” success. We recognize that great communication fuels great execution. With Project Synergy, we’ve rolled out a Key Contact Alignment Plan, defining clear points of contact from branch managers to VPs across both organizations. We’ve committed to: Face-to-face meetings on a consistent basis, Biweekly internal check-ins, Monthly account team calls, Regular business planning and forecasting discussions. These steps are helping us to align more closely with Helena’s sales managers, ensure transparent planning, and keep everyone focused on shared objectives. Thank You, Helena Helena Agri-Enterprises continues to be a valued and visionary partner. Through Project Synergy, we’re not just enhancing how we work together, we’re shaping the future of agricultural collaboration. Thank you, Helena, for being an outstanding partner in the field. Here’s to continued innovation, connection, and success together.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HELENA
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CULTURE CORNER
1.Who is featured in the latest “Valent Views” episode? (Hint: Look on the Valent Views page.) 2.What is the ”Valent Vault” (Hint: Check the Top 3 From The SLT Section) 3.What topic did the latest digital tip video cover? (Hint: You can find the playlist on the left navigation of the Corp Comm page). How Well Do You Know Us? Test your knowledge—and your search skills! Below are 5 trivia questions. The answers are all hidden somewhere on the Valent U.S.A. intranet (CornerStone). Find them all and email your answers to newsletter@valent.com by 8.15.2025 to be entered to win a Valent swag prize!
4.When is the deadline to submit photos in the photo contest? (Hint: check the photo contest site) 5.What photo is featured on the “about us” square (Hint: Check the Valent U.S.A. cornerstone homepage)
6.We’ve gathered a few adorable (and some hilarious) youth photos from our team. Take a guess, can you match the photo to the Valent teammate? Check back in the next issue to see who got it right. Can you guess which one of your colleagues is in each letter square below?
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Cora (2 grade), Hayden (Kindergarten) and Jocelynne (18 months), Devonne Marshall’s Kids nd
Megan Nemec & Quintin Towe get engaged in airplane overlooking family farm land
Michael & Sarah Daujotas vacationed in wine country over Labor Day weekend
Cora (Senior) and Ariana (Sophmore) (Bryan Strickler’s daughters), Farmington High School
Matthew Ryan (Matt Smith’s son), Freshman at Mississippi Gullf Coast Community College
Millie (Senior) & Ben (Sophmore) (Matt Smith’s kids), Jackson Preparatory School
Dawson (1 grade) st (Libby Spellman’s son), Sanford Elementary
Cory Mew & Family Summer vacation in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ruby (3 grade) and Leo (1 grade) (Randall Landry’s kids) rd st
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Recipes of the season
SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
BALSAMIC GLAZED ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS Roasted in olive oil until crispy, these then get tossed in a honey balsamic glaze for the BEST side dish ever.
This spinach artichoke dip is delicious. It's so cheesy and fragrant. If you don't like artichokes, don't worry — you'll never know they're in there!
Served piping hot with a hunk of crusty bread, this creamy, nourishing butternut squash soup recipe is fall comfort food at its best.
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POMEGRANATE SALAD Fresh pomegranate AND a pomegranate dressing, baby spinach, marinated raw kale, honey walnuts and blue cheese all come together in a giant festive salad for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and every occasion in between.
PERSIMMON BREAD With over 300 5-star reviews, this persimmon bread recipe has become a long-time reader favorite. The texture is super moist and fluffy, it’s the perfect combination of spices, and not too sweet.
PUMPKIN PIE RECIPE The BEST Pumpkin Pie recipe is perfect in every way, and you can choose to serve it with a simple homemade caramel pecan topping that takes it over the top!
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