For more information, see the Third Quarter issue of Seed Today.

By Chris Lusvardi

The roles we all support in sharing the story of agriculture are more important than ever.

That was the message Kim Bremmer of Ag Inspirations shared during the “Reaching Those That Matter” session at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Leadership Summit June 18 in Nashville, TN.

“We can all make a difference,” Bremmer says. “Our role is more important than ever. The art of communication is the language of leadership.”

According to Bremmer, developing coalitions and finding industry partners to share the message is important to having an impact. She says being able to shape the issues is necessary by repeating the message and finding a platform that works for you.

Bremmer says not to let others define the perspective that resonates with people. She adds every little bit that can be done counts to help protect agriculture now and in the future.

Seed Production

We are one of those partners as we share stories from throughout the seed industry online and in every issue of Seed Today.

From current crop research to company profiles, the information is available to a broad audience.

In this issue, we focus on stories from the Willamette Valley, which is considered the “Grass Seed Capital” of the world. Over half of the world’s cool season grasses are produced in the Willamette Valley.

The area has become a center of expertise in seed production.

Companies there are making investments in their facilities and conducting research to produce high-yielding crops now and in the future. They are utilizing the latest technology and show why the investments are so important.

We also are taking a unique behind-the-scenes look at Beck’s corn seed production season to share the work that goes into producing the company’s seed supply.

With the weather changing plans and impacting crop conditions, the Beck’s team has had to make adjustments to ensure they are producing high-yielding crops not only this year but in the years ahead.

After seeing the first two stages of the production season featured in this issue’s story, I am looking forward to watching how the harvest turns out and sharing more about the process at seedtoday.com and in our Fourth Quarter issue.

Shared Experiences

Everyone involved in the seed industry has a story to share about their approach to the challenges that lie ahead.

By being willing to host tours and talking about their experiences, they are opening the doors for others to understand and appreciate what it takes to grow the crops that feed and fuel the world.

The messages shared help others to learn from their experiences. As Bremmer says, farmers today have the most access to science, technology, and innovation to continue to improve their work. More can be improved by knowing about a wide range of perspectives and experiences.

Bremmer says it’s important to not only define the narrative by telling the story but showing what is happening and the science behind the work. Doing so will build the connections and develop the trust that is needed between those involved in the agriculture industry and consumers.