62 / SEEDWORLD.COM JUNE 2018 Seed World: Something you never travel without? Denise Gentsch: The right shoes for every possible activity. Bryan Gentsch: Internet connectivity is a necessity, unfortu- nately, so a tablet or laptop is always in my briefcase. SW: What's the best thing to do on a day off? DG: Being at our ranch with Bryan and our son, Tai. BG: Spend quality time with Denise, our son and friends, enjoying God’s gifts in the big Texas outdoors. SW: What's it like working together? BG: There may be people who could not, or would rather not, work with their spouse, but I find it easy and fun. It helps when your spouse is bright and highly competent with a first-rate temperament. Denise and I worked together for a long time before we were an “item,” and we knew our working relationship was solid. We each take care of the tasks we are better suited for, or enjoy more, with little overlap because our strengths and weaknesses are complementary. Denise knows her way around government better than I ever will, and I tag along to communi- cate the scientific validation for our positions. SW: What's something you'd like people to know about the Texas seed industry? DG: Our members care about the integrity of the industry and are willing to stand up for their values with or without support from others. Bryan Gentsch, executive vice president of the Texas Seed Trade Association (TSTA), and Denise Gentsch, TSTA legislative director, discuss being business partners and the legislature seed businesses should lobby for. SW: You've both spent a lot of time working with different legislatures. What is the most important thing that seed businesses should be lobbying for? DG: Owners, breeders, growers, sellers and everyone involved in seed operations are the best representatives to tell their own story and, therefore, give policymakers a human experience to connect to a policy decision. After touring a TSTA member's operation a few years ago, a state senator became interested in seed companies and their contributions to the state's economy. Last session, he stepped in as a champion of our industry to criticize increasing regulatory fees and their effect on individual business health and state competitiveness. BG: That’s a tough one because there are so many. Advocating for scientifically reasonable regulation for new plant breeding techniques is crucial (goes beyond lobbying) and is global in scope and importance. International trade issues can make or break us — just ask our hybrid sorghum seed producers here in Texas about the effects of Chinese tariffs on grain sorghum. One of the things that never goes away is seed law regulation, and it is past time we change the way state and federal seed law is enforced. Most seed law has not changed appreciably since the mid-1930s, and we’ve effectively developed a self-regulating industry since then. There are better, and less expensive, ways to achieve the intent of seed quality standards, and reducing the time and resources required for regulatory compliance would provide lasting benefits. SW Good Business Partners