GermiNation

What does it really take to become a Registered Seed Technologist (RST), and why does the credential matter more than ever? In this episode of GermiNation, we sit down with two leaders who know the RST journey inside and out: Jessica Blake, Seed Quality Labs Manager at the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, and Quinn Gillespie, President of the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists. Together, they break down the path to becoming an RST, from early training and hands-on experience to preparing for certification exams, and share practical advice for technicians just starting out. They also discuss how foundational skills in seed purity and germination testing build confidence, open doors across the seed industry, and support a career rooted in quality, accuracy, and trust. Whether you’re new to seed testing, considering certification, or mentoring the next generation of seed professionals, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and a clear roadmap for growing your career in seed science. Because every great seed analyst starts somewhere, and the path matters.

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Scott Heuchelin, the new director of Iowa State University’s Seed Science Center. An ISU alum with over 20 years of experience in seed health and global regulatory policy, Dr. Heuchelin returns to campus after leading international phytosanitary efforts at Corteva Agriscience. Now, he’s guiding the Center into its next chapter of innovation and global agricultural impact. Music courtesy of Let’s Roll Snowball. Find them on YouTube.

What does it take for a family seed company to thrive for more than 80 years in an industry increasingly dominated by global giants?   In this episode of GermiNation, host Cindy Hicks sits down with Jim Schweigert, President of Gro Alliance and new Adjunct Instructor and an alumnus of Iowa State University’s Seed Technology and Business (STB) graduate program. Jim shares the story of Gro Alliance, a third-generation family business founded in 1941 on a small Wisconsin farm, and how the company has continued to grow by adapting, innovating, and partnering across the seed industry. Jim reflects on the value of continuing education in agriculture, explaining how combining real-world industry experience with advanced training helped him better understand the broader seed sector. He also discusses how Gro Alliance invests in employee professional development and why staying curious and engaged in industry learning is essential in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.   The conversation also explores the realities of operating a smaller seed company alongside multinational corporations. Jim explains why collaboration between large and small companies is often key to success, and how independent seed businesses can leverage agility, long-term thinking, and customer-focused solutions to stay competitive. From the early days of planting just two acres of hybrid seed corn to becoming a global partner in seed production, the Gro Alliance story offers insights into leadership, legacy, and the importance of continuous learning in the seed industry.   Tune in to hear how education, adaptability, and entrepreneurial thinking continue to shape the future of seed. GermiNation: where every great story starts with a seed.

What does it take for a family seed company to thrive for more than 80 years in an industry increasingly dominated by global giants?   In this episode of GermiNation, host Cindy Hicks sits down with Jim Schweigert, President of Gro Alliance and new Adjunct Instructor and an alumnus of Iowa State University’s Seed Technology and Business (STB) graduate program. Jim shares the story of Gro Alliance, a third-generation family business founded in 1941 on a small Wisconsin farm, and how the company has continued to grow by adapting, innovating, and partnering across the seed industry. Jim reflects on the value of continuing education in agriculture, explaining how combining real-world industry experience with advanced training helped him better understand the broader seed sector. He also discusses how Gro Alliance invests in employee professional development and why staying curious and engaged in industry learning is essential in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.   The conversation also explores the realities of operating a smaller seed company alongside multinational corporations. Jim explains why collaboration between large and small companies is often key to success, and how independent seed businesses can leverage agility, long-term thinking, and customer-focused solutions to stay competitive. From the early days of planting just two acres of hybrid seed corn to becoming a global partner in seed production, the Gro Alliance story offers insights into leadership, legacy, and the importance of continuous learning in the seed industry.   Tune in to hear how education, adaptability, and entrepreneurial thinking continue to shape the future of seed. GermiNation: where every great story starts with a seed.

What does it really take to become a Registered Seed Technologist (RST), and why does the credential matter more than ever? In this episode of GermiNation, we sit down with two leaders who know the RST journey inside and out: Jessica Blake, Seed Quality Labs Manager at the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, and Quinn Gillespie, President of the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists. Together, they break down the path to becoming an RST, from early training and hands-on experience to preparing for certification exams, and share practical advice for technicians just starting out. They also discuss how foundational skills in seed purity and germination testing build confidence, open doors across the seed industry, and support a career rooted in quality, accuracy, and trust. Whether you’re new to seed testing, considering certification, or mentoring the next generation of seed professionals, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and a clear roadmap for growing your career in seed science. Because every great seed analyst starts somewhere, and the path matters.

In this episode of GermiNation, we bring together two influential voices in the global seed industry. We sit down with Andy LaVigne, President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), and Diego Risso, Executive Director of the Seed Association of the Americas, for conversations on leadership, collaboration, and the future of seed systems. From policy and innovation to workforce development and international trade, this episode explores how seed associations are working across borders to strengthen agriculture and ensure farmers have access to high-quality seed.

On this episode of GermiNation, we’re joined by a scientist working at the forefront of molecular seed diagnostics: Jeffrey Williams, research scientist at Iowa State University’s Seed Science Center. Jeffrey’s background spans deep expertise in microbiology and hands-on experience in plant diagnostics, sharpened during his years at Corteva’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic. Now at the Seed Science Center, he plays a critical role in advancing molecular seed quality testing—especially in support of the USDA National Seed Health System, which ensures U.S. seed exports meet strict international phytosanitary standards. His work fuels global seed trade, strengthens agricultural sustainability, and reinforces the trust farmers place in the seed they plant. In this episode, we explore Jeffrey’s career path, the molecular puzzles behind seed health, and the curiosity and commitment that drive his research every day.

In this episode of GermiNation, We explore the seeds that connect us -  we’re taking you to the Seed Savers Exchange annual conference and 50th anniversary celebration for conversations with leaders working to preserve and protect seed diversity: We talk to Bonnetta Adeeb – Founding member of Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance and Ujamaa Seeds, on the importance of African Indigenous seeds. www.ujammaseeds.com  Followed by Nicolas Enjalbert – CEO of SeedLinked, discussing groundbreaking research with USDA NIFA, Seed Savers Exchange, and thousands of farmers. www.seedlinked.com We finish the show with Linda Black Elk,  an American Indigenous seed expert, sharing stories and wisdom about traditional foodways. www.natifs.org From ancestral knowledge to cutting-edge science, this episode celebrates the seeds that connect us all.   

In this episode of GermiNation, we take you inside the 2025 World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue — where innovation, legacy, and global collaboration take center stage. I sit down with three inspiring voices in agriculture: Dr. Manjit Misra, former Director of the ISU Seed Science Center and USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Julie Borlaug, President of the Borlaug Foundation, granddaughter of Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug and passionate proponent of initiatives to end hunger; and we’ll wrap up with Dr. Jean Baptiste Tignegre, Regional Seed Systems Lead for the African Agricultural Technology Foundation. Together, they share insights on the past, the present, and the future of feeding the world: from the Green Revolution to the next generation of “Hunger Fighters."

Dr. Vivian Bernau is a plant scientist, educator, and seed advocate whose work bridges the worlds of academic research and hands-on ecological stewardship. From prairie restoration to empowering communities through seed knowledge, she brings a unique perspective to how we grow, preserve, and connect with plants. Whether you’re a gardener, a grower, or just curious about what lies beneath the surface, you’ll love this conversation. So let’s dig in with Dr. Vivian Bernau!

In this episode of GermiNation, We explore the seeds that connect us -  we’re taking you to the Seed Savers Exchange annual conference and 50th anniversary celebration for conversations with leaders working to preserve and protect seed diversity: We talk to Bonnetta Adeeb – Founding member of Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance and Ujamaa Seeds, on the importance of African Indigenous seeds. www.ujammaseeds.com  Followed by Nicolas Enjalbert – CEO of SeedLinked, discussing groundbreaking research with USDA NIFA, Seed Savers Exchange, and thousands of farmers. www.seedlinked.com We finish the show with Linda Black Elk,  an American Indigenous seed expert, sharing stories and wisdom about traditional foodways. www.natifs.org From ancestral knowledge to cutting-edge science, this episode celebrates the seeds that connect us all.