For as long as I can remember, agriculture has inspired me. It is the basic foundation for all human survival and the backbone of all economies and cultures. For me, it’s never been just about seeds — it’s about feeding our communities. Each seed we plant represents hope: hope for a healthy meal on someone’s table, for resilient farms, and for a sustainable food system. That hope is what drew me to this industry and continues to fuel my passion for the work we do at the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). It’s about being part of something bigger than ourselves, ensuring that agriculture continues to meet the needs of generations to come. It’s demanding work but deeply rewarding.
But none of us can achieve these goals alone.
Leadership in the seed industry isn’t just about individual organizations or even personal careers. It’s about stepping forward to guide the entire sector. Now more than ever, we need leaders who are willing to take bold action to secure the future of global agriculture.
Through my leadership in AOSCA, it is my goal to encompass the qualities that empower while also driving progress and achieving goals. To me, the agricultural way of life is the definition of integrity, and leading with empathy and resilience is key to protecting an everchanging industry.
Which leads to the question: how can we effectively guide our teams toward long term goals?
Lens of Opportunity.
We must start looking at the ‘challenges’ we are facing within our industry (such as consolidation, rapid technological advancements, increasing pressures around sustainability and food security, etc.) through a new lens — that of opportunity. By changing the perspective, we can analyze challenges and redefine business opportunities. I say this a lot, but we don’t have to do things the way they have always been done. Thinking creatively drives the innovation we need within our industry.
I’ve seen this firsthand at AOSCA. For over 100 years, AOSCA has played an integral role in ensuring seed quality through certification, adapting to an ever-changing industry. While we have a legacy of navigating change, today’s challenges demand even more. The seed sector needs leaders with the vision to anticipate the industry’s needs five, 10, or 20 years into the future — and the resolve to build the systems and relationships that will help us get there.
Strategic Partnerships
None of us know everything about our industry. Oftentimes we become niche specific. Defining your own strengths and weaknesses will allow you to develop a team in which you can pool resources and expertise. This allows for collaboration on topics in which experts are at the table with diverse perspectives. The development of relationships built on trust, confidence, and integrity are the key to filling the seats you want to have at your table. Having diverse expertise minimizes the team’s risks as well as bridges the gaps in our industry. This is an imperative part in organizational work as it is part of all seed organizations’ missions to advance the sector as a whole. We have to work together to do this.
Taking Initiative
We all have the opportunity to sit around a board room and talk about the things we need to fix. But, how to enact change? How do we really do something about it? It comes down to the actions we take. Like the old adage says, “Actions speak louder than words.” As leaders, we have to help shape the conversations with strategic priorities in mind. Defining what needs to be done, the steps it takes to achieve it, and who is responsible is imperative to facilitating growth. It’s all of our responsibility to put ourselves in roles, paid and unpaid, to fill the gaps as our industry desperately needs.
For example, when we launched the AOSCA Academy, our vision went beyond simply training new directors; we wanted to prepare future leaders to tackle the unique challenges of this sector. By equipping leaders with tools, knowledge and resources they need, we’re strengthening not only AOSCA but the entire seed industry. We are doing something about the succession ‘challenge’ within our organization.
A Call to Action
Today’s seed industry needs leaders who are ready to step up and drive change, even when its challenging. This is my call to action: Lead boldly, think creatively, and work collaboratively. Whether you’re part of a certification agency, a breeding program, a seed company or an advocacy group, your voice matters.
As we look to 2025 and beyond, let’s ask the hard questions. How can we better connect with growers, companies and policymakers? How can we position the seed sector as a solution to global challenges like food security and climate change?
Together, we can cultivate relationships, foster innovation, and ensure that every grower — no matter their size — has access to the seeds they need to thrive.
Let’s lead with purpose, plant seeds of change and grow a future that we can all be proud of. Are you ready?
