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Travis Huddleston and Cooper McDermott Join Meristem Team In Illinois and Iowa

11/14/2024

“…it’s exciting to turn these experienced and energetic agronomists loose to serve farmers…”

Two more leading agronomic professionals have joined Meristem Crop Performance, one of the fastest-growing crop input suppliers in America. Travis Huddleston will serve Illinois farmers as sales rep for central Illinois and Cooper McDermott will become sales representative for eastern Iowa. Huddleston and McDermott both have deep experience in helping growers boost their profitability with the right products and practices.

“We are growing quickly and grateful to have two more talented professionals to help us carry out our mission,” said Mitch Eviston, Meristem founder and CEO in announcing the hires. “Travis and Cooper are the latest to join our team of all-stars and it’s exciting to turn these experienced and energetic agronomists loose to serve farmers in the heart of the Corn Belt with our innovative products and the BIO-CAPSULE™ seed fluency biological delivery system.”

Travis.Huddleston HeadshotOct2024
Travis Huddleston

Travis Huddleston comes to Meristem from NK Seed, a Syngenta brand, where he was a district manager. Before that, he spent more than a dozen years moving up the ranks with AgriGold, where he served as regional sales manager and team lead. Huddleston earned a bachelor’s degree in ag business and management from Western Illinois University. Travis and his wife Alexis have two boys, Rhett and Ryder, and live near Jacksonville, Illinois.

“I’m excited to be joining the Meristem team,” said Huddleston of his recent change. “I’ve spent 15 years working to see the genertic potential realized at harvest time, and I think Meristem’s product line-up is helping farmers get the most from every seed throughout the whole season. When I talked with some of my past seed  customers about this move, I learned that they viewed Meristem as a leader in the biological space.” he says, “and the BIO-CAPSULE seed fluency delivery system is a real game-changer for getting good results.”

Cooper.McDermott HeadshotOct2024
Cooper McDermott

Cooper McDermott grew up near Creston, Iowa in southwest Iowa, where his father worked as a school superindendent. Cooper’s experience with his grandparent’s farm near Greenfield and his own work for a large farm near Creston ignited a desire to study agriculture. He earned his degree in ag business from Iowa State University where he also participated in a spring break “Study Abroad” program visiting farms in Scotland. Since his graduation in 2018, he has been working for Syngenta as a crop protection sales representative.

“The speed of innovation with Meristem really caught my eye,” says McDermott of his decision to join the Meristem team. “It’s the value that we drive through that system to the furrow. Their biologicals are really bringing some great results to many Iowa farmers.” McDermott says he’s looking at the portfolio as a chance to work with every and all growers. “Not all have liquid on their planters and there are many who do – we can work with both.,” he says. “And I’m just excited to work alongside these growers that are on the forefront of making progress in crop production.”

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