Richard “Dick” Pringnitz, accredited farm manager and rural appraiser with Hertz Farm Management, has been recognized as the 2016 Professional Farm Manager of the Year. Syngenta, Ag Professional magazine and the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers co-sponsor the annual award honoring excellence in farm management and customer satisfaction.

To honor Pringnitz for this achievement, Syngenta made a $1,000 donation in his name to the Nevada, Iowa, FFA chapter.

Pringnitz joined Hertz Farm Management in 1985, following his graduation from Iowa State University. He manages over 14,000 acres for 63 clients across 71 properties. During his tenure at Hertz, Pringnitz has retained more than 98% of his clients. He attributes his success to frequent communication with clients, promotion of sustainable practices and his desire to carry his legacy to the next generation.

In his early days, a mentor advised Pringnitz that if you don’t inform clients about what you’re doing, they won’t know what’s happening in the field. While it sounds like a simple concept, communication can fall through the cracks when getting caught up with the intricacies involved in managing a farm. However, Pringnitz is vigilant about providing regular reports and updates.

“I use written reports throughout the year to communicate about growing conditions, crop development, grain marketing, repairs and improvements, and any other developments that may have occurred,” Pringnitz said.

If he knows that a client may have trouble visiting their farm on a regular basis, Pringnitz makes sure to include especially detailed reports. These reports may include aerial photos, maps or other images to convey a more thorough description of what is happening. “I think communication is probably one of the most critical aspects of our job,” Pringnitz added. “Building those relationships and building trust is vital.”

Syngenta has been sponsoring the Professional Farm Manager of the Year award for 28 years. “We’re very proud to work with ASFMRA to honor the best farm managers around the country,” said Brent Rockers, Syngenta district manager. “We think that it’s very important to work with an organization that helps keep families involved in the farms that they’ve owned for generations.”

Pringnitz expressed his appreciation to Syngenta and award co-sponsors, “I would like to thank Syngenta, Ag Professional magazine and the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers for awarding me such an honor, and for their annual sponsorship that recognizes the hard work of farm managers across the country,” he said.

To view the Professional Farm Manager of the Year video honoring Pringnitz, visit farmmanageroftheyear.com. For more information about Syngenta, visit syngenta-us.com. Join the conversation online at social.syngentaUS.com.