b'PRODUCTIONAre You Running Your Business as Hard as a Cross-Country Runner?JIM SCHWEIGERT President, Gro Alliancejim.schweigert@groalliance.comgroalliance.com@GroAllianceI OFTEN DRAWleadership and business management inspi- dig deeper and push beyond perceived limits. They silence the ration from my everyday experiences. Recently, it came fromvoices urging them to take it easy and instead focus on the finish the world of high school cross-country runninga sport thatlinethe goals and objectives that drive their organizations.demands physical endurance and remarkable mental strength.The final stretch of a race makes champions. With just 100 I was struck by the intensity and determination the runners dis- yards to go, runners summon every ounce of energy to surge played as they pushed themselves to their absolute limits. ahead, overtaking competitors, crossing the finish line with noth-I volunteered as a finish line catcher and witnessed what run- ing left in reserve. In business, this is to the ability to rally teams, ners experienced as they crossed the finish line. Some collapsed,innovate under pressure, and deliver results when it matters.some staggered, some vomited, one was screaming, while othersAfter the race, the pain subsides, and a profound sense of finished strong. Each runner gave everything they had. accomplishment takes its place. The runner knows they gave The journey of a cross-country runner is a powerful metaphortheir maximum effort. Similarly, business leaders who consist-for business challenges. At the halfway point of a race, fatigueently push themselves and their teams experience the elation of sets in and the body begins to protest. By the 2-mile mark, theachieving ambitious goals and overcoming significant challenges.pain intensifies, and the temptation to slow down grows stronger.Theres another key to a successful race: preparation. A runner Yet, seasoned runners know their bodies can endure more. Theircant willpower their way through poor training or bad race minds, conditioned by rigorous training and repeated challenges,planning. A leader cant just outwork structural inefficiencies, override the urge to quit and push them forward. broken systems, or a misaligned business model. Winning in busi-In business, leaders encounter similar moments of doubtness takes strategy and adaptability powered by effort and grit. and exhaustion. The pressure to perform, the setbacks and theAre you running your business as hard as a cross-country constant demands can be overwhelming. True leaders, like cross- runner? The finish line awaits those bold enough to push through country runners, recognize these moments are opportunities tofatigue and conquer self-doubt.SEED SCIENCE AND EDUCATIONNational Seed Health System Marks 25 Years Safeguarding Global Agriculture SCOTT HEUCHELIN Professor & DirectorIowa State University, Seed Science Centerscotth3@iastate.eduseeds.iastate.eduAS WE APPROACH THE25th anniversary of the National Seedstandards. In partnership with USDA-APHIS, industry, and seed Health System (NSHS) in 2026, I am reminded daily that healthyhealth experts worldwide, NSHS continues to advance detection seeds are the foundation of healthy plants, resilient food systems,methods and improve reliability to prevent the spread of seed-and sustainable trade.borne pathogens.For a quarter century, the NSHS, administered by Iowa StateOver the past 25 years, our impact has been profound. The Universitys Seed Science Center under the authorization ofNSHS has helped safeguard billions of dollars in seed exports USDA-APHIS, has worked to protect that foundation by ensuringwhile ensuring that U.S. farmers and companies remain trusted that seed shipped across borders is safe, tested, and trustworthy.partners in the global seed trade. Our standardized testing proto-Established in 2001, the NSHS was created to manage andcols and peer-reviewed procedures reduce errors, lower product reduce pest and disease risks when shipping seeds internation- liability, and prevent unnecessary trade barriers, keeping high-ally using science-based information. In the United States, ourquality seed moving efficiently from field to field and country to program accredits entities to conduct inspections of fields andcountry. seed shipments, conduct official seed sampling for seed healthLooking forward, NSHS will continue to strengthen collabora-tests, and allows private and public laboratories to perform diag- tion with researchers, industry, and regulatory partners to meet nostic tests required to obtain federal phytosanitary certificates.the challenges of a changing agricultural landscape. We are com-These certificates enable seed to move securely across interna- mitted to integrating new technologies, enhancing diagnostic tional borders.accuracy, promoting international phytosanitary harmonization, Today, as global trade accelerates and climate change shiftsand fostering fair trade. pest and pathogen pressures, this work is more vital than ever.Healthy seeds are the first step toward global food security. New challenges continue to emerge, from introduced or evolv- As we celebrate 25 years, I am proud of the NSHS legacy, and ing diseases to the need for harmonized international testingeven more excited for the innovation and impact that lies ahead. 22/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2026'