Spencer Harris | Inspired by the Future

Published: Oct 04, 2023

Spencer Harris, SVP, of Global Retail Operations at Nutrien, is optimistic about the future of agriculture after meeting students from Chicago’s inner city.

Through his role on the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Sponsors Board, he recently participated in an off-site meeting at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS) in Illinois, a state with a large agriculture presence. 

This college preparatory high school is unique, and demand is high. Each year, 2,000 students apply and are selected via a lottery system to join the incoming freshman class. The school provides opportunities for students from across the city to study agriculture, where 69% of the student population is from historically marginalized communities. They maintain a 94% graduation rate, where 83% attend a university and 40% study in an agricultural college. The school provides the resources required to study agriculture on a sprawling 79 acres that includes a farm and garden, where students receive hands-on learning. 

Read on to learn more about Spencer’s visit and his lasting impressions.

Meet Spencer Harris, SVP of Global Retail Operations

What inspired you to pursue the career you have today?

I grew up on a livestock farm and learned early about a good work ethic and the challenges of growing up in that environment. I thought I would leave agriculture when I graduated from high school, but then I realized through college that this is the industry I love.

The people connected to agriculture are the best people to work with, and I’ve enjoyed a fulfilling career. Helping our customers feed the world is my North Star throughout my journey with Nutrien Ag Solutions.

What was the most rewarding part of the visit for you?

Of course, meeting and interacting with the students and their teachers. Being involved in FFA as a student was a terrific experience. It allowed me to leave my small community and participate in various soil and meat judging competitions.  I felt honored to be asked to participate as a part of Nutrien. I also feel fortunate to have been exposed to FFA early in life and to know it is still growing. I just learned that the organization has reached a record 945,000 members. This visit reminded me that partnerships, like the one Nutrien has with FFA, provide a pathway for individuals to change their lives.

What did you learn from the students?

I was impressed and impacted to hear from CHSAS students that some have a long bus ride to school daily and leverage their education to escape tough neighborhoods and find a way to higher education or a prosperous career. They are finding an alternative path for themselves and changing their lives.

I enjoyed hearing the students’ stories, where they shared that their attendance at this school and involvement in FFA develop skills that will help them in life, like public speaking. It also has opened doors for them to “speak to people like you,” as one student said.

What did you learn from the educators?

When we met with Noelle Coronado, an Ag Finance teacher at the school, she shared her passion and her personal FFA story with us. She expressed the value students receive from engaging with industry professionals who can talk about their jobs and bring their learning to life. It expands their thinking and opens other possibilities for their future. It was impressive to learn that of the 58 educators, 11 were former students – truly a giving-back environment.

The tour taught us that the curriculum includes career and leadership development aligned with FFA. These are skills like critical thinking, decision-making, teamwork, communication and public speaking, ethical competition, and individual achievement. Students choose a focus, and their education is tailored to their interests.

After the tour and speaking with Noelle, I wished there were more than two of these schools in the United States.

What did you take away from this experience?

I enjoyed talking to the next generation of Ag leaders, and engaging with them in an academic setting helped me to understand what they are thinking when they think about Ag. Interacting with students from diverse and non-traditional Ag backgrounds is a powerful way to gain new ways of thinking.

This experience leaves me optimistic about the future and that our future is in good hands.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I enjoy being outside with my family, hiking, gardening, and working in my yard. During the Colorado winters, when I can’t be outside, I like to restore antique furniture.