About
Brief on us
Our mission is to help farmers and agribusinesses produce healthier, more productive crops through sound agronomic practices and responsible stewardship of soil and natural resources. Through independent agronomy consulting, science-based decision-making, innovative technology, and dedicated field services for soil and plant nutrition products, we deliver practical solutions that optimize crop performance, farm productivity, and long-term environmental sustainability.
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Bio
"The Answer for Nature's Problems is in Nature Itself" ©
Soil & Plant Scientist | Agricultural Researcher | Biopesticide & Crop Protection Specialist | International Agribusiness Executive
Dr. Marcel Barbier is an accomplished soil and plant scientist, agricultural researcher, and international agribusiness executive whose career uniquely combines advanced scientific expertise, hands-on agricultural experience, product development, regulatory affairs, and strategic marketing. With more than three decades of experience spanning Latin America, North America, Europe, and Asia, he has built a distinguished professional record in plant health, soil and plant science, crop protection, plant toxicology, biopesticides, biostimulants, plant nutrition, and sustainable agricultural technologies.
Dr. Barbier’s particular strength lies in his ability to bridge science and commercial agriculture—translating complex scientific research into practical solutions that farmers, regulators, corporations, and agricultural professionals can understand, implement, and commercialize. His career has encompassed farm management, scientific research, product stewardship, regulatory education, international product registration, biopesticide development, customer relationship management, e-business, technical sales, market research, business strategy, and international research and development.
His professional work has consistently focused on improving agricultural productivity while advancing more effective and environmentally responsible approaches to crop protection and plant nutrition. He has contributed to the development, enhancement, stewardship, registration, commercialization, and marketing of agricultural products designed to improve crop performance, conserve resources, reduce reliance on more hazardous chemical alternatives, and support the economic sustainability of farmers and agricultural enterprises.
A Foundation Built on Agriculture, Science, and Field Experience
Dr. Barbier began his academic studies at Rafael Landívar University in Guatemala City in 1984. In 1988, he received a scholarship to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he studied English for six months. He subsequently completed his studies in agricultural sciences and earned his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Rafael Landívar University.
His professional career began in 1991 with Chiquita Brands International in Guatemala, where he managed a 500-acre banana farm and approximately 300 workers. This early leadership experience gave him an exceptionally practical understanding of commercial agriculture, including crop establishment, irrigation, drainage, disease management, farm operations, labor management, and the decision-making processes of farmers and farm managers.
That firsthand agricultural experience became a defining advantage throughout his subsequent career. Dr. Barbier developed an unusual ability to understand agricultural challenges simultaneously from the perspectives of the farmer, scientist, regulator, marketer, and corporate decision-maker.
Monsanto: Crop Protection and Product Development
In 1993, Dr. Barbier joined Monsanto Company as a Territory Manager in the Sales and Product Development Department. During his four years with the company, he conducted extensive research into the effects of glyphosate (Roundup) on banana plants, research that ultimately formed the basis of his bachelor's thesis.
He contributed to the development and commercialization of crop-protection products including Ranger 24 SL, used in banana, coffee, and other tropical crops, and Rival 68 SG, used by smallholder farmers on crops including corn and beans.
His effectiveness was strengthened by his firsthand understanding of farming operations and his ability to communicate technical product information in a practical manner. He understood not merely how a product worked, but how and why a farmer would use it in the field.
Bayer CropScience: Toxicology, Stewardship, and International Regulatory Affairs
In 1997, Dr. Barbier joined Bayer CropScience as Product Stewardship Manager and Regional Registration Coordinator for Central America and the Caribbean. He received specialized training in Germany in toxicology and ecotoxicology, developing advanced knowledge of the effects of pesticides and herbicides on plants and the environment.
He also worked with the Global Crop Protection Federation, subsequently renamed CropLife International, on the international harmonization of crop-protection product labeling. His work addressed inconsistencies among national labeling systems that could create confusion regarding active ingredients, dosage, and proper product application.
Dr. Barbier also trained government regulatory officials throughout Central America in the interpretation of crop-protection toxicology studies. He designed lectures and technical presentations that translated complex scientific data into clear, practical information, enabling regulators to make better-informed decisions concerning agricultural product registration.
This combination of scientific expertise, regulatory knowledge, and communication skills became a recurring hallmark of his career.
Zeneca Agrochemicals and Syngenta: International Marketing and Agricultural Innovation
In 1999, Dr. Barbier was recruited by Zeneca Agrochemicals after a senior executive recognized his exceptional ability to transform highly technical information into compelling, understandable, and commercially useful presentations. Following the merger of Zeneca Agrochemicals with Novartis Agribusiness, he continued his work with Syngenta Crop Protection.
As Tropical Crops and Fungicide Product Manager for Central America, he developed marketing programs for major fungicide products, including Bravo, Amistar, and Anvil. He later relocated to São Paulo, Brazil, where he served as Regional Customer Relationship Manager for Latin America.
His work became particularly significant during the soybean rust epidemic in Brazil between 2001 and 2003. Working with farmers and agricultural stakeholders, Dr. Barbier helped develop and implement Syngenta's pre-alert crop-screening and stewardship program. The system combined crop monitoring, disease detection, fungicide application, customer data management, and strategically scheduled fungicide rotations based on active ingredients and modes of action.
He also contributed to the expansion of Syngenta's farmer-service model through the development of the personalized "One To One" (OTO) concept. The program sought to connect farmers more directly with machinery, equipment, subcontractors, wholesalers, and major grocery chains, helping improve access to agricultural resources and markets.
From 2003 to 2006, Dr. Barbier served as Distribution Chain and E-Business Manager in Mexico City. Working with Syngenta's NAFTA regional IT team, he helped develop AgBiz, a customized online business-to-business contract-ordering platform that allowed customers to manage contracts and monitor product and stewardship orders.
His work demonstrated his ability to operate at the intersection of agricultural science, technology, customer relationship management, and commercial strategy.
Stockton Group: Biopesticide Research and Development
From 2006 to 2009, Dr. Barbier served as Regional Manager for Central America and the Caribbean for Stockton Agrimor AG, subsequently known as Stockton Group. From 2009 through 2016, he continued his relationship with the company as an independent consultant.
During this period, he worked extensively with Stockton's subsidiary Biomor on the development and enhancement of Timorex Gold 24 EC, a botanical fungicide based on tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia).
His scientific and field research focused on improving the product's efficacy across multiple crops and disease systems. His work included research involving Mycosphaerella fijiensis, the pathogen responsible for black sigatoka in bananas, and Monosporascus cannonballus, associated with Monosporascus root rot and vine decline in melons.
In 2007, Dr. Barbier presented his research on Timorex and black sigatoka at the Segundo Encuentro Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Productoras y Productores Experimentadores y de Investigadores en Agricultura Orgánica in Antigua, Guatemala.
His contributions to the development and commercialization of Timorex Gold were subsequently recognized internationally. In 2013, Timorex Gold received the Agrow Award for Best New Biopesticide. In 2015, Stockton Group received the Agrow Award for Best Marketing Campaign, following years of collaboration and market development throughout Latin America.
Advanced Scientific Education and Research
While continuing his professional work with Stockton, Dr. Barbier earned a Master of Science degree in Plant Protection in International Commerce from Rafael Landívar University.
In 2010, he was awarded a scholarship to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He earned his Ph.D. in Soil and Water Science in 2015, with a minor in Plant Health Management.
During his doctoral studies, Dr. Barbier conducted advanced research in soil and plant science and co-authored scholarly publications appearing in national and international scientific journals. He was also invited to present his research at professional conferences.
He simultaneously gained additional practical experience as a plant and soil scientist with B&W Quality Growers, one of the largest producers of watercress in the United States.
Organic Laboratories: Sustainable Crop Protection
Since November 2015, Dr. Barbier has served as Vice President of Research and Development for Organic Laboratories, Inc. His work has focused on enhancing the efficacy and commercial viability of existing products and advancing environmentally responsible crop-protection technologies.
Among his areas of focus has been the development of potential alternatives to certain conventional insecticides, including approaches intended to reduce reliance on neonicotinoid chemistry, as well as research directed toward challenges associated with citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing, or HLB), one of the most serious threats facing the Florida citrus industry.
US Borax — Rio Tinto: International Technical Development
Dr. Barbier subsequently served as a Development Specialist with US Borax, part of Rio Tinto, where he developed relationships with prospective customers and coordinated research, field trials, and innovation programs throughout Latin America.
He provided technical support to sales teams and customers in plant protection and plant nutrition and conducted laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials in collaboration with research organizations and universities. He also developed technical and educational presentations for international conferences, including Argus Fertilizers conferences in Brazil, China, and the United States, as well as ASIC and International Oil Palm conferences.
During this period, Dr. Barbier traveled approximately 175,000 air miles and more than 3,000 driving kilometers across 12 countries: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and China.
He delivered 121 technical presentations, trained more than 1,200 professionals, produced eight technical flyers, and participated in 13 field trials.
His commercial impact was demonstrated in part by the growth of Granubor sales from approximately 5,000 metric tons in 2017 to 11,000 metric tons in 2018. He also contributed to a legislative change involving Brazil's Department of Agriculture.
YARA North America: Agricultural Market Intelligence
As a Senior Sales Agronomist for YARA North America, Dr. Barbier conducted market research in Northern California to evaluate brand awareness and the relationships among YARA's sales organization, distributors, and farmers.
He developed a methodology for identifying and analyzing farmers' planted acreage by crop, followed by data cleansing and processing to estimate the biological sales potential for YARA products by farm and crop.
Approximately 3,000 contacts were collected and processed, with the resulting information transferred to marketing for integration into YARA's CRM systems.
His work also enabled him to establish professional relationships with personnel in the Departments of Agriculture serving the ten leading agricultural counties in Northern California.
ABC Organics: Scientific Leadership and International Consulting
Since 2010, Dr. Barbier has served as President and CEO of ABC Organics, LLC, where he combines scientific research with practical agricultural consulting and business strategy.
His work includes soil and plant nutrition, crop protection, biostimulants, product development, research and development, regulatory registration, sales and marketing, and agricultural market analysis.
A central component of his consulting philosophy is distinguishing farmers' genuine operational needs from artificially created or induced market needs. He uses field research and market intelligence to develop practical strategies that align scientific innovation with the realities of agricultural production.
Dr. Barbier has provided consulting services to individual farmers, agricultural companies, and corporations, supporting products throughout the full development cycle—from research and development and regulatory registration through commercialization, sales, and marketing.
From January 6, 2020, through September 30, 2026, he has also served as International Chief Technical Lead at Monty's Plant Food, where he has designed, conducted, and overseen international laboratory and field trials involving humic products. He has prepared technical reports and presentations and represented the company at trade shows, conferences, and professional forums worldwide.
B&W Quality Growers: Research Leadership
In January 2024, Dr. Barbier joined B&W Quality Growers, LLC, in Fellsmere, Florida, as Director of Research.
In this capacity, he oversees and advances scientific and technological initiatives designed to improve the yield, quality, efficiency, and sustainability of leafy-green production, including arugula, watercress, and water spinach.
His current work brings together decades of experience in soil science, plant health, crop protection, plant nutrition, field research, agricultural technology, and commercial agriculture.
Breadth of Crop Expertise
Dr. Barbier's agricultural experience encompasses a broad range of crops and production systems, including:
Agave • Avocado • Banana • Citrus • Coffee • Corn • Horticultural Crops • Melon • Palm Oil • Pastures • Soybean • Sugar Cane • Sweet Potato • Tomato • Watercress • Arugula • Water Spinach • Watermelon
A Career Defined by Scientific and Commercial Integration
Dr. Barbier's professional trajectory is distinguished by an uncommon combination of scientific depth, field experience, international business leadership, product development, regulatory expertise, and commercial strategy.
He has worked across multiple continents, agricultural systems, crops, scientific disciplines, and corporate environments, consistently serving as a bridge between research and real-world agricultural application.
From managing hundreds of farmworkers on a commercial banana plantation to developing crop-protection programs for multinational agribusiness companies; from educating government regulators on pesticide toxicology to advancing botanical biopesticides; from developing agricultural CRM and e-business systems to conducting international field trials; and from analyzing agricultural markets to leading research and development programs, Dr. Barbier has built a career around one central objective:
turning scientific knowledge into practical, commercially viable, and increasingly sustainable solutions for agriculture.
His professional legacy is reflected not only in the products, programs, research, and agricultural technologies to which he has contributed, but also in his ability to connect scientists, farmers, regulators, corporations, and markets around practical solutions to complex agricultural challenges.
With more than three decades of international experience, Dr. Barbier continues to apply his scientific knowledge, entrepreneurial perspective, and field-based understanding to the advancement of modern agriculture, plant health, crop protection, soil and plant nutrition, and sustainable agricultural innovation.
Bio
The ability to think inductively, deductively, and dialectically.
Zenaida (Zena) Armella was born in Cúcuta, Colombia, in 1968. She came to the United States in 1987 to complete her education with full financial support from her loving parents. She has traveled internationally and enjoys vegan cuisine. Since 2012, she has followed a plant-based lifestyle as an alternative way to support her health and maintain balance. Zena married Dr. Marcel Barbier, PhD, in February 2011, embracing and acknowledging love.
Zena graduated from Florida International University on August 16, 1995, with two bachelor’s degrees: Political Science, with a minor in Comparative Politics, and International Relations, with a minor in Middle East Conflict Resolution. She also studied Photography and Journalism at the University of Miami, KMC, completing her studies with distinction in Mass Target Communications on August 4, 1990. This multidisciplinary education accounts, at least in part, for her exceptional ability to connect with people, listen attentively, and navigate multicultural environments. She later achieved her MA in Public Administration & Marketing from Nova Southeastern University on August 11, 1997.
Her extensive academic and professional preparation was recognized by David M. Hardesty, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky, who stated on January 13, 2009:
“Ms. Armella’s formal education, training, and employment experience are equivalent to 260 credit hours (150 officially completed from accredited institutions + 110 of experience in the field of marketing and business). She has proven herself to be highly trained and has a well-rounded understanding in fields such as accounting, finance, management, and marketing.”
Since February 2015, Zena has been a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, an organization dedicated to the perpetuation of a free press as the cornerstone of the nation and its liberty and to improving and protecting journalism. In addition, since August 1991, she has been a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for Hispanic journalists.
Mrs. Armella is the creator of the White Pillow Concept ©, developed in 1997. The concept explores the mystery and subliminal messaging behind perception and positive attitude, emphasizing how any business can achieve greater success when each member, affiliate, or employee is enriched and in balance, creating reliability, safety, and an unprecedented degree of customer satisfaction.
[WHITE PILLOW CONCEPT] https://www.instagram.com/whitepillowconcept
Zena has extensive professional experience, including serving as CEO of her own business, established in 1998, as well as Director of Marketing and consultant to public officials. Her professional background includes solid experience in lingerie manufacturing and representation, multinational intimate-apparel boutique consulting, renovation, and construction projects.
She has also served as a political advisor and political image manager for Senators and the Chamber of Representatives in Colombia. Throughout this work, she has sought to achieve tangible results by working hand-in-hand with experienced and young politicians and political teams to develop and execute projects for the commonwealth of the populations they were elected and entrusted to serve—not to be served.
Today, Zena serves as CFO and Media Chief Director at ABC Organics, LLC, a limited liability company focused on increasing crop productivity, promoting organic crop nutrition and protection products for the global agricultural market, and advancing sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
[ABC ORGANICS] https://www.abcorganics.online
In 2022, Zena participated in a TEDx event as a special guest speaker, presenting her topic “Sorority that Transcend.”
[TEDx] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1M8gQQjxeg
Zena continues to pursue education in the areas of Alternative Medicine and health nutrition, attending web seminars offered by prestigious universities around the globe. Her apostolate is to support cancer pre/post patients and their families through her project RESTORE VIGOR©, providing education and support in the United States, Australia, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Venezuela, Portugal, and other countries.
[RESTORE VIGOR] https://www.instagram.com/restorevigor
Intellectual and Professional Strengths
The ability to think inductively, deductively, and dialectically.
Zena possesses the ability to approach complex situations from multiple intellectual perspectives, connecting individual observations with broader conclusions, evaluating relationships between ideas, and examining opposing viewpoints to reach meaningful and practical outcomes.
The ability to define problems without a guide.
Zena identifies critical issues, prioritizes objectives, focuses energy and effort, recognizes fallacies, avoids common errors, and treats ambiguity as an asset rather than an obstacle—qualities that can contribute value to any organization, entity, business, or personal endeavor.
An observational eye.
She has a distinctive ability to observe, understand, and interpret people and situations. Her interpersonal strengths enable her to establish, maintain, and improve lasting relationships by understanding human nature and leading accordingly.
Through her multidisciplinary education, professional experience, international exposure, communication skills, and ability to understand people and complex situations, Zena brings together strategic thinking, observation, creativity, communication, and relationship-building as complementary strengths in both professional and personal environments.