In Conversation with a Vision Agriculture Specialist: Kevin Sliger
A Vision Q&A series rooted in agriculture and helping members grow
When you’ve got the word “agriculture” in your job title, you’d better know a thing or two about growing things. Vision’s Agriculture Specialists come at their understanding of farming and ranching from different angles: crop science, farm equipment sales and farm supply, but they all have their roots in agriculture and their hearts in helping grow futures for Vision’s food producing members.
Kevin Sliger | Vision Agriculture Specialist | Region: Falher
Did you grow up in a farming area?
I grew up farming in this area (Falher). I was born and raised here. I don’t farm these days, but I help out at a friend’s farm during harvest, so I keep my hand in it.
What did you do before you came to Vision?
I’ve been with Vision for more than a year, but before that I sold farm equipment for 21 years. That’s how I came here. I knew Dan Szott (Vision Ag Specialist) from back when he was a farm equipment salesman in Camrose. About three years ago, he started talking to me about coming to Vision, and eventually I made the change.
From your experience, what’s the most common challenge food producers face when dealing with other financial institutions?
It's understanding their business. That's what I believe. You can’t take a 12-month snapshot of a farm operation and understand the business. The costs aren't related to one year, per se. Annual cost/income statements are how banks are used to doing business, but farming doesn't really work that way. At Vision, we use some pretty good programming to get a real picture of a farming operation.
What do you like best about your work with Vision?
I like that I get to work with people I’ve built relationships with over the years. Now, I’m dealing in financial services and before, I was selling ag equipment, but ultimately, it’s all about relationships and trying to help. That’s what I do.
How do you build those relationships with members?
One of the best parts is visiting members on their farms, just to see what's going on, and talk about different aspects of farming and financing and whatnot. I'll probably go out four or five times a month to say hi to members… I’ll stop by for coffee or go out to the fields and they’ll put me to work running equipment because that’s what I used to do. Then at lunchtime we might get to talking about financial needs. There’s nothing better.
What do the farmers think about you popping out and helping out?
Well, I think they get a pretty good kick out of it. But at the same time, they're very open to learning different things. Farmers are progressive by nature. They’re always looking for opportunities to be more efficient, or save time, or improve their farms — whether it’s farm equipment or financial products, they’re looking ahead. They’re very open to learning about (financial) options that are available that they might not have known existed.
Get in touch with Kevin at our Falher branch:
