Archibald Given
About Me
I grew up on a horse farm in a small town just outside of Kingston Ontario. I was first introduced to planting by a friend while looking for a unique summer job experience that would keep me active and outside. Planting has been the toughest and consequently most rewarding job I have worked. Battling mental and physical personal limits and building some of my closest friendships makes planting special and has kept me excited to be back year after year. Throughout the offseason I am a certified nerd, studying Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science at University of Ottawa. While there are many things I love about school, I spend an unfortunate amount of time at my desk staring at my computer screen. As hard as planting is, it is a vacation from screens and unnecessary distractions and a chance to surround myself with friends and mountains, while making more money than any other summer job could offer. |
Industry Experience
This summer will be my first season as a crew boss after four years of planting, all with Summit. I finished my first season as the top rookie in the company and have continued to improve every year finishing in the top percentiles of planters across the company. That first year I really learnt what it takes push your limits and see what your potential truly is. Over the next 3 years I really enjoyed the improving and finding ways to become a better planter. I’ve been lucky enough to have been on the same crew every season and these people have become some of my closest most trusted friends. While it will be difficult to leave that crew behind, I am even more excited to take what I’ve learned and build a new crew.
What can my planters expect from me:
My number one goal is to run an organized and efficient crew that allows you to reach your potential. My
success is your success, and I will do what I can to ensure you get every opportunity to succeed.
What I expect from my crew:
Most importantly for a successful season is a crew that supports and encourages each other through the lows and the highs. Success in planting comes both on a personal basis but also as a crew, if you meet these expectations, I think you would fit in well on my crew.
This summer will be my first season as a crew boss after four years of planting, all with Summit. I finished my first season as the top rookie in the company and have continued to improve every year finishing in the top percentiles of planters across the company. That first year I really learnt what it takes push your limits and see what your potential truly is. Over the next 3 years I really enjoyed the improving and finding ways to become a better planter. I’ve been lucky enough to have been on the same crew every season and these people have become some of my closest most trusted friends. While it will be difficult to leave that crew behind, I am even more excited to take what I’ve learned and build a new crew.
What can my planters expect from me:
My number one goal is to run an organized and efficient crew that allows you to reach your potential. My
success is your success, and I will do what I can to ensure you get every opportunity to succeed.
- Safety: this goes before all else, your safety is my #1 priority on and off the block. The season is not a success unless everyone finishes the year incident free.
- Hard work: I can’t expect my planters to do anything that I am not willing to do. I will work as hard as I can to give you the best season of planting you can have.
- Respect: same goes for me as for you.
- High level coaching tailored to you: Everyone learns differently but if you are willing to learn, I will be there to work with you and share with you the skills and strategies that I have developed over my years as a planter.
What I expect from my crew:
Most importantly for a successful season is a crew that supports and encourages each other through the lows and the highs. Success in planting comes both on a personal basis but also as a crew, if you meet these expectations, I think you would fit in well on my crew.
- Respect for everyone: this is most important to a fun and successful season; everyone, their opinions, ideas, and contributions are valued equally.
- Support for each other: planting is hard, you will have some of the very best days but also days that will down right suck. Support for each other is what gets you through the days you really won’t want to be there. But you better bet we will be CELEBRATE the wins as they come.
- Desire to learn: if there is one attribute make someone into a great planter it would be this. Planting can be as complicated as you want it to be. A desire to continuously learn and improve your technique makes planting incredibly rewarding and will bring you to love this job.
- Commitment: to me and to each other. Three months of planting is a long time, especially if it is your first time. If you’re joining my crew you are committing to a full summer of giving it your all, for me, for your crewmates, and for yourself.