The ErfGoed team (L) and Erin Yafuso, Ph.D. of Oasis Grower Solutions (R)
ErfGoed Strengthens Its Team with Key Changes
ErfGoed has recently made some changes within its team. Machiel Paans, who has been responsible for sales for many years, is transitioning to a new role within the organization. From now on, he will take on the position of Project Manager.
“After years of passionately handling sales and advising clients, I’m ready for a new challenge,” says Machiel. “I’m excited to bridge the gap between sales and project execution, allowing me to serve both our customers and the company from an operational perspective.”
In the coming period, Machiel’s responsibilities will be handed over to Arjan van Dam and Herbert Huisman.
Herbert Huisman has been working as an Area Sales Manager at ErfGoed since February. With his drive, passion, entrepreneurial background, and experience in infrastructure and civil engineering, Herbert is well-equipped to provide excellent advice to clients. “I feel completely at home at ErfGoed, and I have full confidence that the execution side is in good hands with Machiel,” says Herbert.
Arjan is a well-established figure at ErfGoed, having been with the company for 19 years. “Seven of those years were spent leading the Canadian branch, where I was also responsible for sales,” says Arjan. “With my experience in both domestic and international markets, particularly in cultivation floors and water technology, I’m looking forward to helping our clients future-proof their businesses with our solutions.”
Jack Ford, North America Sales Manager at ErfGoed, will continue to be the main point of contact for customers in Canada and the United States. Matthijs Kraaijeveld, Operations Manager at ErfGoed Canada, will take responsibility for managing all projects across North America. Both Jack and Matthijs are pleased with this development. “We operate in the same time zone, understand the local culture, and can provide our customers with optimal service.”
Oasis Grower Solutions Expands Team with a New Plant Scientist
Oasis Grower Solutions, a division of Smithers-Oasis, announced that Erin Yafuso, Ph.D., has joined the expanding Oasis Grower Solutions team in a newly created position of Plant Scientist, effective Oct. 1, 2024.
Smithers-Oasis Director of Global Grower Operations and Research Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D., made the announcement as he welcomed Dr. Yafuso to the Oasis Grower Solutions team. In her role as Plant Scientist with the division, Dr. Yafuso will have global responsibilities and report directly to Dr. Rapaka.
“I’m extremely pleased to have Dr. Yafuso as part of our team,” says Dr. Rapaka. “This new position will play an important role as we continue to advance the science and development of innovative new substrates and expand into emerging areas of vital importance for sustainable controlled environment agriculture with grower-driven, real-world solutions. After an intensive search to fill the position, it was clear that Dr. Yafuso is a terrific match both for the scientific challenges ahead and for our team.”
Dr. Yafuso’s work with Oasis Grower Solutions will involve all aspects of propagation, production, and post-harvest quality of floriculture and hydroponic food crops grown under controlled environmental conditions. Special emphasis will be given to specialty substrates for propagation, soilless cultivation, and hydroponic production, as well as the development of sustainable and biobased solutions to improve the growth and quality of controlled environmental agricultural crops. In addition to conducting plant science experiments, Dr. Yafuso will collaborate closely with other team members to successfully develop and launch new products.
Dr. Yafuso received her Ph.D. in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Florida after receiving her M.S. in Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering and her B.S. in Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, both from the University of Hawaii. Prior to joining Oasis Grower Solutions, Dr. Yafuso most recently held a three-year postdoctoral research horticulturist position with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Toledo, OH, where her work focused on nutrient optimization of strawberry mother plants and subsequent daughter crowns in controlled environments for propagation.
