What was the question?
ASTA's Field Crop Seed Convention, shown here in 2023, returns Dec. 10-13 to Orlando, FL. (Chris Lusvardi)
For more information, see the Fourth Quarter issue of Seed Today.
By Dan Foor
Agriculture in general, and our seed industry in particular, continues to experience dynamic changes at sometimes it seems a breathtaking pace.
These changes can be daunting, scary, and create moments of uncertainty when facing tough decisions. With farm income under increasing pressure, ever tightening margins, increasing operating costs, and continued challenges in finding (and keeping) valued team members, what is a business leader to do?
The answer is remarkably simple: Activate.
- Activate your curiosity.
- Activate your networks.
- Activate your passion.
Curiosity Activation
Curiosity is a trait that tends to diminish over time.
It seems as we get older, we tend to rely increasingly on beliefs gained over the years and we tend to reject or avoid the latest ideas.
A common framework used for “knowing things” can be helpful to consider: “I know what I know, I know what I don’t know, I don’t know what I know, I don’t know what I don’t know.”
Being curious about these distinct types of knowledge can help us be better leaders. Don’t be afraid to challenge what you currently think you know and explore the underlying reasons for those beliefs.
Take time as well to consider areas in your work and personal life where added knowledge gain would be helpful.
Maintaining a posture of curiosity about the world around you can keep you activated.
Network Activation
We are a social species. And while each of us fall into our unique space on the introvert-extrovert spectrum, activating your existing network and seeking new networks to foster and build is a key trait of successful leaders.
What’s more, in the current age of information bombardment, social media pervasiveness, and overflowing calendars, it can seem impossible to take the time to stay in touch or make “new touches.”
Dedicate space in your life to re-connect, stay connected, and be open to forming new relationships. You and those with whom you activate will greatly benefit.
Passion Activation
This is a good one and perhaps one of the more challenging for some of us.
By activating our passion – in other words our deep feelings about why we’re doing what we’re doing – we can in turn activate that passion in others.
Connecting to our sense of purpose – as an individual and within our teams, and teams of teams – provides energy and fuel to power through challenges and tackle new opportunities.
There is no simple formula for this; however, personal experience would suggest that finding time to reflect on where you are, the impact you’re having in what you do, and the delta between the current state and your desired future state can be beneficial. Increasing your level of involvement will heighten your sense of passion.
Opportunities For Activation
The great news about all these facets of activation is that there are upcoming opportunities to enhance all three of them by taking part in long-standing “only-type-of-their-kind” industry events offered by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA).
• The first is the Field Crop Seed Convention, Dec. 10-13, which will be held for the second year in Orlando, FL.
Nowhere else can you interact with the entire gamut of field crop seed industry participants, catch up on the latest trends, and as an added benefit, enjoy the sunny skies and warm temperatures offered by Florida in the winter.
• Our colleagues in the vegetable and flower sector have a similar meeting in Orlando later in the winter at ASTA’s Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference.
Join us Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2025, where you can network with industry leaders, researchers, and other key stakeholders, explore business opportunities, all while addressing challenges in the cultivation and commercialization of vegetable and flower seeds.
• And to kick off the summer, the ASTA Leadership Summit will take place June 7-11, 2025 in Washington D.C.
This will be an amazing time to be in our nation’s capital following an epic election cycle that will no doubt bring many fresh faces important to agricultural and seed policy. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to help educate, inform, and activate government leaders on issues important to your business and the seed industry.
Finally, here is your call to “Activate.” Send the subject line “ASTA Activator” with your full contact information in the body of the email to info@betterseed.org by December 20 for a chance to win a free registration to an upcoming ASTA meeting of your choice.
We look forward to seeing you.
Dan Foor is 2024-2025 chair of ASTA, the American Seed Trade Association, Alexandria, VA (703-837-8140/betterseed.org). Foor is vice president for Remington Seeds, Remington, IN (remingtonseeds.com).