b'downside is: youre not traveling. Its reallyfour or five points, similar to core valuesof IPSA, however their favorites areeasy to get distracted when youre on aor a mission statement, she says. Hedifferent. Zoom call. proposed a one page piece to be writtenHeavily influenced by his father-in-In comparison, in a boardroom youthat everyone has access tonot just thelaw, Greene hopes to continue growing can continue to see faces, eyes and smilesboard, but all members of IPSA. Should aand developing the IPSA scholarship andand Cornelius says that body languagemember receive a call from a local news- mentorship program. is invaluable.paper media outlet, they have talkingIm really proud of our scholarship Being able to feed off each other andpoints in hand to share the IPSA story. program to continue promoting agricul-pick up cues that someone agrees withAltogether, Greene is excited for whatture with those young groups, he says. you is something you can run with, shehis term has brought to the table for IPSA.We target those going into college or says. pursuing focused graduate degrees and Despite the difficulty without in- extend the scholarship value with our person communication, the IPSA boardmentoring program. Our ability to interact has been continuing to enhance memberwith scholarship recipients has been truly benefits. rewarding.Weve done some really good thingsIn addition, Greene says that the IPSA this year, Greene says. We added a newannual meeting continues to be one of his executive director, Catherine Ballard,favorite conferencesalthough its not whos been working to encourage newIts one of the bestdue to his bias of being on the board. member interest and expand opportuni- I feel its one of the best meetings I ties for members. Another instrumentalconferences our organizationattend each year, he says. We work hard element the board agreed on is adding ato bring relevant topics and training to presence in Washington D.C. with Lauraattends. Its planned by theour membership that will help move their Peterson. members for the members business forward.Adding a presence in D.C. has been aCornelius says serving on the planning big change for IPSA; keeping independ- thats why it is so good.committee for the IPSA annual meeting is ents seen in Washington D.C. and having Chris Cornelius her favorite part. a presence on a regular basis can ensureThe annual conference committee was the ability to react to new legislation onthe first committee Cornelius served on, the table.and it continues to be her favorite, even Also, IPSA continues to work on moni- after 10 years. toring trade.Its one of the best conferences our Concerns like trade, ethanol andorganization attends, she says, echoing artificial meat that can affect farmers,Greenes sentiment. Its planned by the ultimately affect seed companies as well,members for the membersthats why it says Greene. While we try to be awareMy ultimate goal as president hasis so good.of those concerns, at IPSA, we focus onbeen to focus on whatever aspects areCornelius says one reason the confer-genetic and trait access along with how toneeded to secure the future for inde- ence is so great every year is specifically help the independent seed sector remainpendent seed companies, says Greene.because of the member involvement in viable. Competition is what made Americaplanningfrom seed members to asso-Cornelius says that as she preps forgreat, and we as independent seed com- ciate members to sponsors. her term, making sure that independentspanies provide that stimulation for ourWhile virtual wasnt everyones first have a level playing field across the boardindustry. So, all these issues that we canchoice for the 2021 Annual Meeting, is top-of-mind. address are a great benefit. Cornelius said she was excited because Its a big hill to climb, she says. But,I just want to see IPSA continue thetheir sales team watched the educationyou climb a mountain one step at a time. fight for the independent seed sector,sessions, and it was the first time the entire In addition, Cornelius says she isbecause we play such a vital role in theteam could attend an IPSA conference.excited about an idea from fellow boardfabric of agriculture. Im really excited about our keynote member, Chris Latham about firming upspeakers for this January, Cornelius says. the IPSA message.Mentoring and Planning They are will be exceptional.SWWe want a clear message that hasGreene and Cornelius support all aspects JANUARY 2022SEEDWORLD.COM /43'