Jim Harbour - January 2019
This month we are pleased to feature Dr. Jim Harbour of Nebraska. We welcomed Jim to the DCI team in the summer of 2018. Jim is a graduate of the University of Wyoming, Jim later furthered his education at North Dakota State University where he earned his PhD. Jim has had a successful and diverse career in agriculture with experiences that include working as an area extension specialist as well as working in crop protection and agronomy. Please enjoy reading more about Jim in this month's Contractor Spotlight!
How did you get involved with DCI?
I was working in construction (on the end of a shovel) when I called a contact about job opportunities. She said when she retires, she's going to look into DCI. So, I looked into DCI and submitted my application. That next evening, Sarah Burtch called me after-hours and "interviewed" me for almost an hour. My education and work history fit what she needed. Here I am enjoying the benefits of contract work!
Tell us about your background:
Personal: Single life with my oldest son living in Fargo and youngest son attending college at the Univ. of Wyoming. Professional: PhD, career with ND Extension, DuPont Crop Protection (product development), Winfield, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, [life happened], misc. jobs, and then construction.
What is the best thing about being a DCI Contractor?
I've spent most of my career timeline working out of my home, so I'm used to the ethics involved of getting the work done. DCI offers me a new opportunity in my career arena, as a contractor. I enjoy interacting with the farmers, retailers/dealers, seedsman, and Climate staff. This is a whole new world from what I'm used to, and I get a brand new skill set!
When I am performing contract work, I am driving:
2014 Jeep Wrangler (2-door; black)
What was your first job?
Oh man ... babysitting my brother & sister, or mowing lawns when I was 12. Wait! When I was 5, it was pushing hay bales out of the way for my dad and standing on the seat of the pickup steering while he threw in the bales (I'm still waiting to get paid for that gig...).
What do you do the first hour of the morning?
Depending on my schedule, I either run either a 5k or 10k during the work-week. Saturdays are 8-13.1 miles.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Hobby/Interest right now is running and weight lifting (yes, both in the same day). My next goal is to run the Lincoln Marathon in May 2019. I'm too tired to do too much of anything else!
What is your greatest achievement?
Earning my PhD and finishing 2 half marathons. I guess staying alive might qualify, too.
What are you ordering for your favorite meal?
The only thing I order anymore is pizza!
What is your favorite sports team or music group?
No real favorites in either category. For music, my interests span from Mozart to Metallica.
What is the happiest memory of your life?
The birth of my two boys!
Tell us about your favorite pet:
Batman (he picked his own name ... he didn't respond to "Hank"). He's a Blue Healer, there is no quit in that dog.
What three people (living or not) would you invite to a dinner party?
Jesus, Albert Einstein, and Simon Sinek. It would be an interesting discussion on discovering people's "Why".
Who did you see at the first concert you attended?
Night Ranger (I just dated myself with this one).
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Ugh...cookies. And ice cream.
Tell us something about yourself that most people do not know:
I have ink.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Set the boundary; let go of the consequences.
