McGowen Crop Protection Service, LLC was founded in 1998 by Jim McGowen. Jim has an excellent background in agriculture. The grandson of Irrigation Pioneer Leo McGowen, Jim learned the science of crop consulting from the late Leonard Johnson, a well respected agronomist and farmer from the Bruning, Nebraska area, working for Leonard during his high school summers. During his college years, Jim worked part-time for the United Farmers CO-OP, (Ulysses branch), doing custom applications of fertilizer and pesticides with an Ag-Chem Rogator, and doing part-time scouting for several local clients in the Ulysses, Nebraska area.

After attaining his degree in Agronomy and Ag Business from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Jim constructed his office and seed storage facility one half mile south and one mile east of the Utica / I-80 interchange. Operating from this new facility, McGowen Crop Protection Service, LLC continued its rapid growth, largely because of word of mouth recommendations from its many satisfied clients. In 2002, Jim attained offical certification by the American Society of Agronomy. To attain this certification Jim was required pass a comprehensive battery of tests and meet other criteria laid out by the Society. In addition, McGowen Crop Protection Services, LLC added NC+ seed products to its product lineup.

In the spring of 2005, Jim was selected to participate in the prestegious Nebraska LEAD program. As a LEAD fellow, Jim and his classmates had the opportunity to make a number of field trips, both nationally and internationally. This experience further solidified Jim's commitment to agriculture for the long haul. In the spring of 2006, Jim and another well respected and thoughtful farmer decided to add a line of ag chemicals to the MCPS offering. Restricting the offering to the most commonly used chemicals, it was Jim's hope that he could supply the key chemicals directly to his customers for a significant cost savings to them.

In 2007, Nora McGowen joined the MCPS team as the business manager. Nora has a strong farming background and holds a degree in Business Administration from Midland College. Regardless of what your agronomic needs might be, Jim and Nora will either have what you need or will know where to get it.