In support of the mission to be ag and rural America’s greatest advocate, St. Louis-based agricultural marketing and communications company Osborn Barr (O+B) is expanding its practice groups in 2015, which are focused on fostering specialized expertise, in a more consistent manner to enhance growth with current and prospective clients.

To lead the newly created Crops & Agronomy Practice Group, O+B has hired Brian Deverman to spearhead strategic offerings of the team as well as aid in new business development. Deverman’s roots—growing up on a grain farm near Greenview, Illinois, and sixteen years of ag marketing experience at DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto and Syngenta—will add substantial value to the ideation and strategic planning for the company’s accounts.

“Osborn Barr is focused on the agricultural industry and the rural landscape in which we conduct business and live our lives,” said Michael Turley, Partner and CEO of Osborn Barr. “Brian is a farmer and possesses agronomic expertise and marketing acumen. It’s high-stakes time for everyone in our industry; Brian allows us to raise our game for our clients.”