18 / SEEDWORLD.COM JANUARY 2018 Varner doesn’t hesitate: “It is the friend- ships I have developed with fellow mem- bers and board members. The time the board spends on conference calls, face-to- face meetings with each other, and meet- ings with the technology providers helps to cement the bond we have. Even though we are competitors, we are all working toward a common goal — to be the trusted advisors of our customers and be their local connection and ‘go-to’ person and company.” As IPSA president, her main goal is to continue to promote what the associa- tion does and offers, and cites its Annual Conference as one of the best that anyone could attend. With the next conference slated for January 8-10 in Indianapolis, Varner says, “The education and network- ing opportunities are first in class. With industry consolidation, it is important that we maintain relationships with all IPSA members, as well as technology providers. IPSA offers something for everyone with educational and scholarship programs, as well as group buying programs. We have a very competitive research program that provides members with insight that they can’t get easily from independent parties.” While it’s clear that IPSA offers many solid benefits for its members, there is still room for growth. “We need to educate on the farmer/ customer level,” Varner stresses. “We are a valuable partner to their opera- tions and that should increase and create awareness of IPSA. Each of our members need to tell our story and the story of the independents.” What also needs to be cleared up, she adds, are misconceptions that the general public may have about the seed industry in general. “It seems that there are many in the general public who don’t know what we really do as a seed company. We think it’s obvious, but to those who don’t know much about our industry, it is easy for them to accept as fact something they hear on the news or read on social media. I would guess that many of us — when asked what we do — are immediately asked, ‘You don’t sell Roundup seeds, do you?’ It automatically seems bad to them, and this has a stigma associated with it. As an industry, we need do a much better public relations job and take the time to share all the positive things we do daily. It is a humble industry for the most part, and we are all very busy managing our companies, but we do need to actively ‘toot our own horn’ sometimes.” Additionally, with the advent of seed that can be purchased online, as well as other purchasing methods, Varner stresses the need for the industry to reaf- firm its value to customers as a trusted, local source that can provide the correct agronomic information for their farm and be able to service their needs. Away from the seed industry respon- sibilities, Varner enjoys her limited spare time hunting, fishing and gardening, “There is something about being out- side that is so humbling,” she says. “All of these hobbies are great stress relievers too. It’s hard to stay stressed when doing any of them. I also enjoy traveling, especially to visit my daughters who live in Texas and Northern Michigan, and my son who recently moved to Washington DC.” SW Partner with ProHarvest Seeds, Inc. to operate your own corn and soybean company as a Regional Owner Partner with ProHarvest Seeds, Inc. to operate your own corn and soybean company as a Regional Owner Contact us today at 866-807-7015 ProHarvest Seeds, Ashkum, IL 60911 www.proharvestseeds.com Our unique system provides you with: · Access to multiple sources of genetics and traits · Freedom to develop your own sales programs and pricing · Support in areas of agronomy, sales, and business practices · Seed products tailored to your own market area · Potential territory exclusivity · Opportunity to create value in your own seed business