b'From Oregons Willamette Valley to the Western Seed Stage2025 Young Seedsman proves that honesty, humility and hunger to learn still grow the strongest roots.By Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. EditorWHEN JAKE METZGERSname was called at the 2025headquartered in Tangent, Oregon. The company specializes in Western Seed Association (WSA) meeting in Kansas City, hecool-season grasses including turf-type tall fescues, bluegrasses, was completely caught off guard. As the crowd gathered andbentgrasses and fine fescues, serving both domestic and inter-phones started to rise, he realized something was up. national customers.I noticed people gathering around and getting their phonesWere focused on that higher-end sod material, landscape out, Metzger says. I was completely surprised. material, as well, Metzger explains. We work through distribu-Surprise turned into pride as Metzger, a Salem, Oregon native,tors around the country and internationally. Anything from accepted the WSAs 2025 Young Seedsman Award, honoring hissports fields to parks to golf courses and home lawns; you can leadership and promise in the industrys next generation. find our stuff in a lot of different venues, big venues in the coun-Its super humbling, he says. For a young guy steppingtry and around the world.into this industry, its humbling to be recognized. I have a lot of respect for those that have been doing it for so long. A Relationship BusinessHe says seed success starts and ends with the same principle: A Family Legacy Grown from Oregon Soil communication.I grew up in the production part of the Willamette ValleyJust being transparent, open, communication, honestgrass seed industry, he says. Grandpa was farming grass seed.those are the core values of really any business structure, he My dads in the vegetable seed industry. says. Keeping an open dialog is key in a lot of relationships. Its a That early exposure inspired him to study agricultural busi- relationship business.ness at Oregon State University.Those relationships form the foundation of the WSAs culture I went to Oregon State, got an ag business degree, and from something Metzger has come to deeply value. there stepped into the production side of our company, he says.Theres a lot of tradition here at the Western in Kansas City, I stepped into sales about two years ago. he says. Having this award at a young age is an honor. Its hum-Today, Metzger represents Landmark Seed Company,bling.SWJake Metzger, Landmark Seed Company, is the Western Seed Associations 2025 Young Seedsman.DECEMBER 2025SEEDWORLD.COM /49'