Tracy Fowler Joins Fresh Approach Farms
RALEIGH-DURHAM, NC - Tracy Fowler, President and Owner of Four Rivers Onion Packing, has joined Fresh Approach Farms.
Fowler will maintain ownership of Four Rivers Onion Packing during his employment at Fresh Approach Farms. He will be responsible for growing the company’s business with key accounts, thanks to a number of strong relationships he has built over the past 18 years. Fowler started with L&M Companies in 1997 and held several key roles there before moving on to a different chapter.
Since its establishment in 1871, parent company Harvey’s Fertilizer and Gas has served the farming community assisting growers from seed to chemicals and subsequently expanding into growing row crops and sweet potatoes in the 1970’s. Fresh Approach Farms, the marketing arm of Harvey’s Farms, was purchased from former L&M employees Larry Otto and Paul Hudson.
“I have a very unique situation here,” said Fowler. “I am employed by Fresh Approach Farms and I own Four Rivers Onion Packing. I receive the benefits of both companies. I work with two well-respected veterans of the produce industry with 70 years experience between them. I worked for them for about 12 years at L&M and now I am reunited with them! We have a strong marketing team here and can bring value to our growers and customers.”
In his first few months, Fowler implemented a produce software system that oversees field bulk shipments into warehousing and packing, all the way through the accounting process.
Fowler’s first acquisition experience was with the purchase of Griffin & Holder Onion Company.
“I learned a lot about merging two distinct cultures together to form a team,” Fowler tells me. “It definitely helped me during the purchasing of Four Rivers Onion Packing. What I have learned the most is status quo can be your best friend once a purchase has taken place. Past owners play a huge role in your success and they have earned the merit and respect of their community.”
AndNowUKnow congratulates Tracy on his new position and looks forward to seeing how his abilities continue to push the company forward.
