Andy’s interest in Agriculture started at a young age spending time in his family’s Pear Orchard in Hood River, Oregon. Over time that interest grew into a passion and Andy set his path to pursue a career in Agriculture. He attended Oregon State University starting in 2004 where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Integrated Horticultural Production. After college Andy helped manage different farming operations focusing on Pear, Cherry and Apple production. In 2013, Andy began his career as a Crop Consultant in the Hood River Valley. This opportunity broadened Andy’s view of Agriculture in North Central Oregon. From Tree Fruits in the Columbia River Gorge to Dryland Wheat east of the Cascades, the region is a cornucopia of Agriculture.
In early 2024, an opportunity came to Andy to join the team at Mid-Columbia Crop Insurance. With over 25 years of experience, Stan and Tonya Decker have become experts in the field. Andy knew that passing up the chance to work with the two of them would be something he’d regret. He started at Mid-Columbia Crop Insurance in April. Through the guidance of Stan and Tonya, Andy learned how to do Crop Insurance the right way. His background in the production side of Ag, made him a quick learner. Managing risk is something that Andy had done through spray recommendations for the past 11 years, now he was helping manage risk through Federal and Private Crop Insurance. Helping growers navigate the complexities of crop insurance has become the new way Andy helps manage risk. He currently writes a wide range of MPCI polices including: Whole Farm Revenue Protection, “Pasture, Rangeland, Forage” (PRF) Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) and MPCI commodity polices for Wheat, Corn, Apples, Pears and Cherries and more.
When Andy isn’t at the office or out in the field visiting his clients, he enjoys spending time with his wife Erin and two children, Asher and Eva. As a family they enjoy escaping to the outdoors for camping, fishing and hunting around Oregon. As an avid hunter and fisherman, Andy enjoys sharing his love and skills in the outdoors with Erin and the kids. Since the family trip to Yellowstone the summer of 2024, traveling to see and experience new places has been put at the top of the family “Bucket List”, that is when they aren’t busy with sports or 4-H.
Andy’s love of Agriculture has grown beyond just producing crops. He will tell you today the real love that he has developed is for helping Farmers farm, especially family farming operations which he says are the threads of our American fabric. Andy would love for you to reach out to him and talk not only about Crop Insurance but about your operation in general. He wants to understand your operation in as much detail as possible so he can help assist you in managing your risks appropriately.