b'says. I had a great experience there, learning theASTA has been doing with innovation and spe-ins and outs of hybrid seed corn. Understandingcifically gene editing, he says. Gene editing can how to grow, cross and produce quality seed cornbenefit both large and small companies, but we is important. My experience was really valuablemust continue working on the communication and when we started Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids in 2004.policy side of it.Latham served as president of Latham Hi-TechOne thing Latham is hopeful for is the ability Hybrids while continuing to work full time, leadingto wrap up his term as chair by hosting the ASTA the sales team for Latham Seeds. Five years later,2021 PLDC meeting in Washington, D.C., in person. he and his wife, along with his brother, were able to bring the two companies together. They have been doing business since 2009 as Latham Hi-Tech Seeds. Since he has served as president of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, Latham says he has driven by one thing: finding the perfect products for our customers. Gene editing can benefit both large and small companies, My dad was always a product person. Dadbut we must continue working on the communication and was active and interested in soybean breeding, he says. Im driven to find that perfect corn orpolicy side of it. soybean seed productone that can really make John Lathamour customers profitable. Thats really been driving me in my career.The family business isnt the only place Latham is expanding upon his fathers legacy. During the passing of the gavel at the 2020 ASTA Policy and Leadership Development Conference (PLDC), past chairman Wayne Gale mentioned how incrediblyI love going to Washington for ASTA meet-special it was to work with Latham and with hisings, Latham says. I mentioned that I have a deep father. When Gale was president of the Canadianinterest in politics, and weve been able to do a lot Seed Trade Association, Bill Latham was ASTAof great work on Capitol Hill on behalf of ASTA.chair. He and Bill worked together to host a jointOne thing, in particular, Latham says he has conference in 1998. been honored to help start with ASTA is the Seed It has been an absolute honor to follow in myFirst PAC. dads footsteps and to serve as ASTA chair, saysSeed First PAC is an opportunity to increase Latham. I learned so much from my dad. I reallythe seed industrys influence and build relation-miss him, but Im proud to continue building uponships with members of congress, he says. We his legacy. have already built some champions on Capitol Now, Latham is working on making his ownHill, and we need their influence. Many people mark as ASTA as chair.elected to the House and Senate come from urban Things have been really different from whatareas, so they often dont understand agriculture. I imagined my time as chair to be, says Latham.Building relationships with elected members who The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench intounderstand agriculture helps our industry.many of our plans, but we have learned to adapt.All-in-all, Latham is looking forward to the PLDC All our meetings have been completely virtual. I2021 to bring the industry back together again in-really miss traveling and meeting face-to-face withperson.industry colleagues. It would be a great moment to come back However, he continues to work with ASTA ontogether, and Id love to be able to bring the indus-bettering the seed industry.try together again after being apart for so long, he I want to continue doing the good work thatsays.SW34/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2020'