Stephanie Breckenridge recently became the new president of Western Seed Association Board.
I sat down with new WSA president Stephanie Breckenridge at the recent WSA convention in Kansas City. She’s only the second woman to hold the office in the 2000s. She didn’t set out to work in agriculture. With a sociology degree and no plans to dive into the world of seeds, her career started by chance when she took a job as a receptionist at Ernst Conservation Seeds. Nearly three decades later, she’s become an integral part of the industry. Breckenridge’s story is a testament to the possibilities in the seed sector, and her new role is focused on inspiring a younger generation to explore those same unexpected paths.
SW:
Thank you so much for sitting down with me, Stephanie. I’m excited to learn more about you. Could you tell me a little about your work and your company?
Breckenridge:
I work for Ernst Conservation Seeds in Meadville, Pennsylvania. We’re a native seed company that produces and sells seeds across the eastern United States. We grow more than 200 species and farm around 10,000 acres in our area.
SW:
Your start in the seed industry wasn’t exactly conventional, was it?
Breckenridge:
No, it wasn’t. A lot of people in agriculture have been involved in the industry for a long time, but my story’s a bit different. Robin Ernst bought the farm next to my grandparents’ dairy farm, and when I was fresh out of college, they were looking for a receptionist. I interviewed and got the job—that was back in 1996. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to grow within the company. I started answering the phones, then moved to the warehouse and now I manage our inventory operations. I wear a lot of hats. We have about 88 full-time employees now, and I help manage both our own inventory and the inventory we purchase, as well as planning what we need to plant to meet production goals for our customers.
SW:
And you went to school for something completely different?
Breckenridge:
Yes, my degree is actually in sociology—nowhere near agriculture. I didn’t expect to end up in this industry at all. For anyone out there who isn’t sure what they want to do, you never know what path you might find yourself on. Sometimes, you just stumble into something you love.
SW:
One of your priorities as president of the Western Seed Association is motivating the next generation to get involved in the seed industry. What would you say to young people who aren’t quite sure what they want to do?
Breckenridge:
Just be open to trying new things and doing your best. You might not know exactly what you want to do, but there are so many opportunities out there, especially in the seed industry. There are a lot of companies, a lot of different areas to work in, and you can find yourself just about anywhere in the world. The possibilities are endless.
SW:
Why do you think young people aren’t getting into the seed industry as much as we’d like?
Breckenridge:
I think they’re out there, but we need to encourage them and show them that there’s room for growth in this industry. Agriculture is evolving, with a lot of modernization and tech advancements, especially in areas that draw younger generations. We just need to help them see how they can apply their talents here. There’s so much potential.
SW:
Is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to over the next year of your term?
Breckenridge:
I’m looking forward to continuing the relationships we have. That’s one of the most important things about attending these meetings—the relationships you build over the years. I’ve been coming to the Western Seed Association meetings since 2006 or 2007, and it’s all about reconnecting and growing those friendships. Zoom is great, but it just doesn’t compare to seeing people face-to-face. There’s something irreplaceable about that personal connection.
