b'many years now. Independents like Peterson Farm Seeds and many others have found these new technologies and introduced them to their customers much more quickly than the major seed companies are willing to do. This will always be the primary mission of the IPSA associa-tion and board. If we can connect like-minded thinkers and seed companies in a room, or at a farm tour and have them learn from each other that is step one. There are more than 100 independent seed companies in the United States today that all have unique approaches and strategies in the market. If I can, or others can learn a little more about each other, we can imple-ment the strategies that are needed to be successful in our own market. I strongly believe that independents will always be the most local and most knowledgeable source for seed that exists in the United States. Our primary advantage is a presence in the same communities where our customers live and understanding their farming operation. If we can combine that advantage with being early to adopt new innovations and broaden our choices of genetics and traits; I believe that we can continue to grow market share in the United States.SWColin Steen, Legacy Agripartners CEO and IPSA board president.OCTOBER 2024SEEDWORLD.COM /27'