At the Western Seed Association’s Annual Convention, Garth Kaste who served as the association’s 2014-15 president presented Matt Fenske with the 2015 WSA Young Seedsman of the Year award. Fenske serves as vice president of business development and buyer for Millborn Seeds in Brookings, S.D.
The award, given in honor of Kurt Austermann, is designed to recognize young seed industry professionals who have demonstrated those same characteristics that Austermann possessed— honesty, integrity and a passion for the seed industry.
“This farm kid took a job with a local seed company during his college years,” shared Kaste of Kaste Seed Inc. in Fertile, Minn. “He learned the business from ‘the broom’ up, all the while developing a keen interest and an excitement for the seed business.”
At first chance, Fenske jumped into the seed industry with both feet. He is a past president of the Northern Seed Trade Association and the South Dakota Seed Trade Association. Fenske is a current member of the Western Seed Association, the Field Seed Institute of North America and the American Seed Trade Association.
“His involvement with these organizations continue to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the seed trade across the nation,” Kaste says. “His desire to shape policy at the local and national levels makes him a true asset to fellow seedsmen.
“Most importantly … he is a man of integrity and honor. His word and handshake are the only things necessary when making a deal.”
Fenske strives for excellence in all that he does. “I do not sell products,” he says. “I provide solutions for individuals and businesses to move forward profitably and efficiently. In my role at Millborn Seeds, I’m able to impact many different types of industries and clients with these values.”
The Western Seed Association’s Annual Meeting was held Nov. 7-11 in Kansas City, Mo., and brought together 795 seed industry professionals for business meetings, networking and education. The meeting is held in partnership with ASTA’s Farm and Lawn Seed Conference.
