Get to know Mike Utley, the Cran Man

Byline: Jeff Utley

Today, Mike Utley is the branch manager for the Carver, Massachusetts Nutrien Ag Solutions location. While Mike is a well-known figure throughout the Nutrien Ag Solutions business group, you may not know that his roots in agriculture began at his brother-in-law's family’s operation, RASP, Inc.

In the early eighties, Mike left a career as a sawyer foreman to join his brother-in-law, Bob Alberghini, at RASP, Inc., which consisted of a cranberry farm and accompanying small agricultural input distribution warehouse. During this time, Mike spent most of his days in the bogs tending to the cranberries – which would come to inspire his nickname, “Cran Man.”

“We didn’t have cell phones like we do now, so when I would go out to work in the bogs, I would tape a sign on the door before I left saying where I was going and what I was doing that day,” says Mike. “That way, if any customers stopped by, they could come find me and we could go back to the warehouse to go over any agronomic advice, questions they had, or orders they needed filled.”

As the business grew over the years, Mike eventually left the bogs to focus on expanding the fertilizer and pesticide sales. He spent the slower winter months researching products, application methods, and all aspects of agricultural input distribution and regulations. He regularly attended meetings of local grower associations, as well as state licensing and safety trainings.

In the late nineties, business had grown, and Mike and Bob needed some extra hands to help keep the operation going.

“I brought in my oldest son, Jeff, and we worked together to continue providing the same level of personalized customer service and value to an expanded network of farmers, landscapers, and homeowners,” says Mike.

When Bob passed away in 2008, Mike’s sister, Carmen Alberghini, took over as the sole owner of the farm and warehouse. Mike and Jeff stayed on to run the business under her leadership.

One of the biggest issues the team continued to face was an increasing need for additional space. They came to a mutual decision that the best path forward to address the growing needs of the business was to be acquired by a larger entity that would have the resources needed for expansion.

Crop Production Services completed the purchase of RASP, Inc. in 2012. Mike and Jeff continued to operate out of the original 4,000 square foot facility, with the addition of more warehouse and administrative personnel. In 2021, a new facility was completed and ready for occupancy. The team, now known as the Carver, MA Branch, operates out of two 7,400 square foot buildings, with Mike still being the first person customers see when they walk in the door.

“One of the ways that we know we’re doing a good job is when new customers come in who have been referred to us by our current or previous customers,” says Mike. “It’s a high level of praise when someone thinks you provided a service that is worthy of sharing with their neighbors and friends.”

According to Jeff, his dad has long established a name for himself as an honest and trustworthy advisor for his customers who thoroughly enjoys what he does each day. His unique and special corner of the agricultural world is a source of great pride for him, and he enjoys explaining what he does for a living to new friends he comes across in his travels.

“Mike has been such an asset to our business and a special guy to work with. He has lots of experience and wisdom that is as valuable to his customers as it is to the people who work alongside him every day,” says Steve Harrison, Northeast Division Manager. “We’re lucky to have Mike and proud of the environment he has built for his team.”

Outside of work, Mike has been married for almost fifty years to his wife, Sandy. Together they enjoy spending time with their family. And despite the countless times he’s seen it during his life, the view of a flooded cranberry bog with deep red berries floating is still his favorite sight to see.