Crop-Tech Consulting, Inc. Farm Journal Field AgronomistIn 1990, Ken Ferrie started Crop-Tech Consulting, Inc., which serves farmers in central Illinois. As an independent consultant, Ferrie directly oversees 90,000 acres through farmer clients. At the same time, he works with leading fertilizer dealers to provide agronomic direction for another 250,000 acres. Ferrie, who is Field Agronomist for Farm Journal magazine, puts in almost 150 test plots each year, testing everything from herbicides and varieties to planters and technology tools. Data gathered in the plot research helps fine-tune his systems approach to farming.