BIG VALLEY - Key Persons


Burtis "BJ" Jansen

Job Titles:
  • Operations Manager
BJ worked at the Rice Experiment Station in Biggs, Ca. for 16 years before coming to work at Big Valley Ag Services in 2019.

Doug Elrich

Job Titles:
  • PCA
Doug has worked for Big Valley Ag Services for over 11 years. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Ag Business from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. He has both his PCA and CCA license. He has knowledge and experience in peaches, prunes, walnuts, almonds, kiwis and rice.

Elizabeth Taylor

Job Titles:
  • Assistant
  • Operations Manager
Elizabeth has worked in the agricultural chemical and fertilizer retail industry for nearly 30 years. She gained experience at other ag retailers before coming to work in her hometown at Big Valley Ag Services. She has been with the company for over 16 years.

Eric Benzel

Job Titles:
  • PCA
Eric has been with Big Valley for 12 years. He has both a PCA and a CCA license with a background in Rice, Walnuts, Almonds, Prunes, and Peaches. He works predominately in the Yuba City and Live Oak area as well as District 10 and Gridley. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Agronomy from Chico State University and is a Veteran of the U.S. Army.

Garet Knipe

Job Titles:
  • PCA
Garet has been with Big Valley Ag since 2018. Prior to his time with Big Valley he worked for a local rice farmer. He has his PCA license and holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Crop Science from Chico State.

Jed Walton

Job Titles:
  • President, PCA
After Graduating from CSU, Chico with a Bachelors of Science degree in Agricultural Business, Jed went straight to work for the Butte County Cooperative Extension office under Farm Advisor, Bill Olsen. After helping to conduct numerous research trials in orchard crops throughout his 4 years there, he left the Cooperative Extension and came to work at Big Valley Ag Services in 2004. He has both his PCA and CCA license and over 20 years of experience in the industry.

Josh Pippitt

Job Titles:
  • PCA
Josh graduated from Chico State in 2012 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Agricultural Science. He has been with Big Valley as a PCA and CCA ever since, advising on rice, walnuts, almonds, peaches, prunes, pistachios, and various other crops.

Mike Williams

Job Titles:
  • Shop Manager
Mike grew up locally in Biggs and has been with Big Valley Ag Services since 2005.