Jim is the founder and CEO of JRP Crop Consulting and he also works as the head agronomist for TEP, Inc in Madera, California. His journey started by attending an aeronautical aviation tech school (Northrup University in Inglewood, CA). He obtained an airframe and power plant mechanics certificate soon after graduating. He worked for a Beachcraft dealer in Woodland, CA for a couple of years before going to work for his dad in the crop-dusting business in Arbuckle, CA. He soon bought his dad and uncle out at the age of 23. He kept the business for about seven years before selling it to one of his pilots. Jim continued to manage the business for the next five years. He then decided to move on and start a ground spraying business, PINCO, Inc. During his five years of owning PINCO, Inc., he decided he wanted to pursue a Pest Control Advisor license. After which, he was hired by Colusa County Farm Supply in December of 2000 as a consultant. During this time, he also obtained his Certified Crop Advisor license. After working at CCFS for 22 years, Jim started a consulting business of his own, JRP Crop Consulting. In addition, he started his agronomy work for TEP, Inc. in Madera, CA.
Dr. Tom Yamashita, owner of Fusion 360 in Turlock, CA, was his first mentor. Tom taught Jim how to create good soil and plant health. Jim started using Fusion 360 products (fusion soil, bacterial inoculants and foliars) very early in his career as an advisor with great success. Other pivotal changes in his approach to agriculture happened after attending the Healthy Soil Summit conference in Davis, CA in 2019. Since then, he’s read numerous books of many guest speakers of Acres USA conferences. His acquaintance with David Knaus has taken him to a new level that has surpassed his expectations. He is excited and enthused about the future of regenerative agriculture. Jim feels with his new position at TEP, he can help a bigger audience of growers transition to better and profitable agriculture.
