After a 15-year career in nursing, Robin Narron, marketing director and sales support with Nash Produce, wanted a change of pace. Narron said she became burned out during the global pandemic and wanted to spend more time with her 1-year-old son.
“I just happened to know somebody who worked in the agriculture industry,” she said. “He knew I was looking for a job, and Nash had the marketing director and sales support position open. I prayed about it a lot, because changing not only a job — but a career — in itself was very scary, but it has been the best decision that I’ve ever made.”
Narron, a self-proclaimed city girl, said she didn’t grow up around agriculture. Narron said she loved connecting with people as a nurse and that was something she wanted in her next role.
“One thing that I really loved about what I did as a nurse was that I developed a lot of meaningful relationships with my patients, and I wanted to find something that I could do where I could still constantly develop meaningful relationships with others,” she said. “And the transition from nursing to agriculture has been different, but in the sense of relationship building and helping others, it’s been a seamless transition.”
Narron said while nursing skills may not seem transferrable to a marketing role, she uses her people skills every day.
“From your farmers to the retailers — they all come from different walks of life, different areas, different cultures and being able to connect with all types of people has really helped with what I do now,” she said.
The Packer: What’s the best part of working in the fresh produce industry?
Narron: The best part about working in agriculture 100% is the people, the relationships that I built and the people I have met and continue to meet. I’ve never worked in an industry where competitors were still really good friends and helped one another out. It’s not like that in most industries, but it is in agriculture. It’s like one big family, and I really enjoy that part.
How do you approach marketing a product as rooted in tradition and seasonality as sweetpotatoes?
I got really lucky with the commodity that I was able to become a part of. In nursing, you talk about disease prevention, heart health and overall health in general, and how our health can benefit from food. I am able to be a big part of that conversation with sweetpotatoes.
So, with sweetpotatoes, they typically are known for being a seasonal vegetable, but they’re not. Because of our top-of-the-line storage facilities, we are now able to sell and market sweetpotatoes year-round. We always have availability. And with that year-round availability, sweetpotatoes are so versatile.
Sweetpotatoes are probably the only vegetable that I know of that you can serve for breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, snacks and dessert. I’ve had sweetpotatoes form cupcakes to smoothies and meatballs. I’ve learned to fix sweetpotatoes in so many ways that I never knew possible, and I don’t know if you can say that about any other vegetable out there.
What’s your favorite way to eat a sweetpotato?
With me having a sweet tooth, I would say that sweetpotato cupcakes are favorite. But I think if I had to make sweetpotatos at home, they would be roasted with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper, because that cayenne pepper gives a kind of spicy kick, and the sweetness of the sweetpotato — and they’re just so good. The sweet and the heat just give it that perfect little touch.
Have you had any female mentors or role models who helped shape your journey?
It would be hard for me to pick one particular mentor, just because within the sweetpotato category and even in agriculture in general, there are so many amazing women. All of the women that I have the pleasure of meeting within the industry are always open to answering any questions that I may have or helping guide me in any way.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in produce?
It is an amazing industry to be a part of. It’s always growing, always evolving — and don’t be afraid of change. It’s amazing to be a part of a group that wants you to do better and will help you be the best that you can be, whatever that is, and I have definitely found that here at Nash Produce and within the agriculture industry.
Where do you see the future of the produce industry heading, especially for women in leadership?
I see more involvement with women. With the agriculture industry continuing to evolve, you’re going to see more women farmers, you’re going to see more women in research. I think you’re going to see a lot more women in management roles. With this generally being a male-dominated industry, women are starting to take over, and it’s not just for men anymore. It’s for all women, young or old.
I have met several women who are the heads of their farm/company, and they’re the ones that keep things rocking and rolling. I think we’re going to continue to see more of that throughout the industry. I think there’s a lot more women wanting to be involved in agriculture, which I think is amazing.
I’ve only been in the industry for four years, but the people that I have met have been absolutely amazing, so welcoming and help me grow in my career. I took the biggest leap of faith when I went from nursing to agriculture and had no idea what was going to happen, but it has been an absolute blessing. And I look forward to whatever this agricultural journey takes me.
Read more about The Packer’s 2025 Women in Produce:
- Rebeckah Freeman Adcock — vice president of U.S. government relations, International Fresh Produce Association
- Erika Allen — founder and CEO, Urban Growers Collective
- Lori Bigras — communications manager, Ocean Mist Farms
- Kelly Hale — vice president of sales and marketing, Highline Mushrooms
- Angela Hernandez — Vice president of marketing, Trinity Fruit Co.
- Kristyn Lawson — president and CEO, Preferred Sales and Marketing
- Tina Lee — CEO, T&T Supermarket
