b'GIANT HIGHLIGHTSOur Giants of the Industry share whats on their mind.My first job on [Capitol Hill] was working for a congressmanIF YOU THINK OF THE SEEDfrom Montana, Ron Marlenee. After that, I landed a job withSECTOR AS A HOUSE, THE HOPEMember of Congress Tom Lewis from South Florida who wasIS THAT WE CAN BUILD A HOUSEon the House Agriculture Committee. I was fortunate enoughTHAT CAN STAND UP TO ANY CHALLENGES. THAT WAY, IF WEto handle his agriculture, trade and immigration policyWANT TO FIX OR CHANGE ANYTHING [portfolios], which are all key issues for agriculture. ThatsIN THE FUTURE, IT WILL BE EASIER where I developed my love for this industry. THAN HAVING TO STARTAT THE BEGINNING.Andy LaVigne, American Seed Trade Association President & CEO May Kanokwan Chodchoey, Asia-Pacific Seed Association Executive DirectorThere was a pivotal momentI know that the seed industry has a very,when I was 11 or 12 years oldvery good story to tell. What we do for the when my parents gave me aworld and its population is amazing and microscope for my birthday.rewarding. But Im afraid that somewhere, When I looked through thatsomehow, were failing to communicate.microscope, I saw a wholeOur Canadian team,The seed industry is part of the solution toworld out there. The living,which is leading ourthe main problems the world is facing today. breathing, moving world oforganization withSo, my question is: why havent we been able science. I just loved everythe implementationto tell our story? We base our stories on science, minute studying genetics and biology and plant pathology.of cutting-edgeproven principles and facts, so what are we Later in my career I reallybreeding techniques,lacking in our communications?got involved in the scienceis developing new Diego Risso, Seed Association of theof what were then newvarieties faster thanAmericas Executive Directortechnologies like herbicideever before. tolerance and insect resistance. Some moments inTatiana Henry,As we go through all these changes life create opportunities, andLimagrain Cerealwhether its the Seeds Canada its just a matter of graspingSeeds CEO amalgamation, regulatory change, and them with both hands whenmorean industry that is modern, diverse, they arrive.inclusive, competitive, and which fosters innovation and supports continuousGarth Hodges, BASF North American Seed Business improvement is key. Vice President Ellen Sparry, Seeds Canada President22/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2021'