b'CLAYTON MICHAEL-BUTLERClayton Michael-Butler, campus recruiting lead at AgReliant Genetics, grew up on a small row- Dont be afraid to fail. If everyone crop operation in Mulberry, Ind. Like others, he grew up loving agriculture and pursuing it furtherwas afraid to fail, we wouldnt be in 4-H and FFA, then, in 2012, Michael-Butler took a bigger role in the family farmhe became the farm manager after returning home from serving inwhere we are today.the Marine Corps. After attending Purdue University and study-ing agribusiness, Michael-Butler knew he wanted to go into ag sales to help growers, like his family, find solutions that would have a greater impact onNot only that, but Michael-Butler says without their operation. The seed industry, however, caughtseed, there would be no row-crop agriculture. We his attention because of the quick advancementsare the fundamental industry for every grower, he in technology. He had the opportunity to launchsays. The seed industry is able to provide growers Enogen Feed into the southeastern dairy marketwith unique, successful products, and technology while serving as a sales rep with NK, and he says,is developing so rapidly, it makes Michael-Butler Working with these dairies increase feed efficiencyexcited to be a part of it. and optimize output on their operation by offeringIf theres one piece of advice Michael-Butler them elite seed products with an alpha-amylasecould give to someone coming into the industry? enzyme trait was extremely satisfying, and one ofDont be afraid to fail, he says. If everyone was the coolest experiences Ive had.afraid to fail, we wouldnt be where we are today. MOLLY MILLERMolly Miller, government affairs manager for BASF, saw her passion for ag start in high school, when her parents, who met at 4-H camp, made her take an agriculture class at her suburban high school. While her parents were both from rural areas, Miller grew up as an Army brat, which was far from her fam-ilys roots. After that class, though, she realized she loved everything about agriculture, including the hand-on experiences and leadership opportuni-ties, eventually earning her American FFA degree. After graduating with her degree in ag education, Miller spent nine years at the EPA working with pes-ticide regulations and focusing on compliance and enforcement of pesticide laws before making a switch to work with BASF in 2014. It wasnt until her role with BASF that Miller really dove into the seed indus-try, in particularly managing a team of scientists focusing on deregulation of GM traits, which was her first step in biotech and seeds. In my current role, I specialize in advocacy on policies affecting seeds, biotech, pesticides and trade, she says. That means I work with the grower associations as well as industry associations and BASF businesses to ensure that we work together advocating for policies and regulations that support our industry. Education is half her job. Miller spends most of her time working and talk-ing to members of congress and their staff about what exciting new products BASF plans to bring to market and how policies they propose can support them. We always want sound science to guide regulations, and make sure we have a predictable process so our industry can continue to innovate, she says. We need for the public to support these regulations and understand that their food is safe and healthy.However, in her free time, Millers truly an introvert who likes her quiet time at home. Its hard for some to believe that during the day Im an industry advocate who lobbies Congress on a regular basis, she jokes.JUNE 2020SEEDWORLD.COM /39'