|
What are the current and future
matters of relevance to seed professionals? Competition,
intellectual property rights and the broad-reaching dynamics of
biotechnology are generally near the top of the list. But, when
it really comes down to running a successful seed business,
attracting talented employees tops everyone’s list.
Given this and the fact that, as
one retailer recently said, “everything [namely crop protection
products] is going into seed,” top talent is more important than
ever. But, are universities and the seed industry truly
cultivating new talent? Can you name one college that has a
specific seed industry major other than programs for seed
technologists?
This is not to say there aren’t
talented people coming out of agronomy and ag economy programs, but
just think how new grads would better understand the seed
industry with a major dedicated to it. Think about how much more
they could contribute to a seed company’s bottom line at an
earlier stage, or how they could add fresh perspectives and
leadership to seed and related associations.
This kind of potential is what
makes a new proposal to the executive committee of the American
Seed Trade Association (ASTA ) so
exciting. In September, the committee will review a proposal to
get Future Seed Executives (FuSE) off the ground. If launched,
FuSE would be a subcommittee of the ASTA’s Management Skills
Committee and would be funded primarily through company
sponsorships. ASTA members would have access to FuSE programs on
a pay-as-you-go basis.
FuSE is the brainchild of a group
of young “seedspeople” whose mission is to “strive to provide
educational opportunities and support for the next generation of
seed industry executives to meet the challenges and demands of
an increasingly dynamic global seed industry.” The group aims
to provide educational and training resources (including
mentors), networking opportunities and a sense of belonging to
people who have worked in the seed industry seven years or less.
A sense of belonging is
increasingly important as the percentage of people who actually
own seed companies continues to drop. When you are not an owner,
you don’t have the same kind of network or ready access to
people. FuSE would give “employee types” more opportunities to
network, and that’s also a benefit for an association like ASTA,
says Jim Schweigert, marketing manager, North-Gro Seeds, Cuba
City, Wisconsin. Schweigert is one of the movers and shakers behind
FuSE.
When people sense that they
really belong . . . to a community, a club or an industry, they
tend to become more committed to protecting it, nurturing it and
welcoming parties with similar interests. In the future, these
interested parties are going to have more diverse backgrounds,
particularly as biotechnology attracts new skills and produces
more products for varied end uses and users. I also think, and
hope, that we will see more women in this industry at all
levels.
A program like FuSE could very
well help all . . . men and women, employees and
employers (who could more readily access “up and comers”). But,
to get off the ground and to keep rising, FuSE will need
funding, mentors and other support. Looking for future talent to
spark your company and your industry? FuSE may just be an
answer.
If you would like more
information on getting involved in FuSE,
please contact one of the following FuSE
representatives:
- Jim Schweigert, North-Gro Seeds -
jim.schweigert@northgro.com
- TJ Lawhon, Lawhon Farm
Services -
tj.lawhon@lawhonservices.com
- David
Nothmann, Monsanto/Corn States -
david.m.nothmann@monsanto.com
- Alexis Ellicott, American
Seed Trade Association -
aellicott@amseed.org
|
