b'Independent Voices,Independent Momentum: A Conversation With IPSAs Incoming President Aaron ConawayA candid look at agility, leadership, and why independents still thrive when they stay willing to change. By Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. EditorAARON CONAWAY DIDNTgrow up inhe brings a perspective of someone who started agriculture, and he didnt plan on landing in theat the bottom of a seed tower, weathered multi-seed business. He was studying aeronautical tech- ple waves of consolidation, and built Total Seed nology at Purdue with no ag background whenProduction into a fast-growing independent force. September 11 reshaped the aviation industry andIn this candid conversation, Conaway reflects on his future.agility, leadership, the future of IPSA, and why he I was a junior when September 11 happened,believes independents will always have a place in and that made aviation uncertain, he says. He andthe seed industry if they are willing to adapt.his now wife wanted to build a life in their home-town of Tipton, but aviation opportunities wereSW: As you step into the IPSA presidency limited. His father-in-law, who owned a seed com- in January, what is your vision for the pany founded in 1936, offered him a chance to tryassociation, and how can IPSA best support something completely different. independent seed companies over the next I came in sweeping floors, bagging corn,year and beyond?learning from the bottom, he says. Three yearsConaway: Growth. Which is probably going to take later, a major wave of consolidation swept throughsome people off guard a little bit, even though the the industry. When the family decided to sell theindependent sector has continued to shrink. But Campbell Seed retail brand in 2006 and focus onour association has a lot of upsides to it. I wasnt production, Conaway saw clearly where independ- 100% familiar with all the things that IPSA did prior ents fit and why they mattered.to joining the board, and the push IPSA has had After managing the transition, watchingbehind the scenes from a government perspec-Monsanto purchase brands and seeing where wetive and a regulation perspective has been huge. fit, I understood how important independent pro- Well continue doing the work on behalf of the duction was, he says.independents in that sector. I think we have a real Total Seed Production (TSP) was born that year,opportunity to continue to grow our membership and the company tripled its business within fivein a time that seems to be declining in member-years, cementing its commitment to the independ- ships or in conferences, but were coming off one of ent sector. the highest attended conferences last year. Going As Conaway steps into the Independentinto Indianapolis, weve got a lot of momentum and Professional Seed Association (IPSA) presidency,excitement. Theres growth in membership because 8/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2026'