My grandfather was a potato grower in Brazil, and I grew up hearing about his passion for agriculture. However, it wasn’t until my High School senior year that I decided to study agronomy. My first experience with plant breeding happened by chance at the end of the Agronomy degree. I was looking for a hands-on opportunity abroad and I applied for an internship at UC Davis to work at the Dry Bean Breeding Program. I had a great experience there and I got fascinated with the idea of creating new varieties with improved traits that would help growers to produce more and better manage their crops. Therefore, when I went back to Brazil, I started working at Monsanto with corn foundation seed production. I demonstrated interest in research, so after working with seed production for over a year I was encouraged by my supervisor at the time to start a master's degree.

I moved back to California and received my master degree in Plant Science from Fresno State. After working for few months at the Dubcovsky Lab at UC Davis with barley breeding I started working with Dow AgroSciences. I started at Dow working with field screening of drought tolerant corn and now I supervise a media lab of soybean transformation. I go to work happy every day. Being in the Seed Industry and helping with crop improvement is very rewarding, and I encourage any graduate young woman from related areas to try it.

As an undergrad I was fortunate to have several internship opportunities with seed companies and plant science groups both in the U.S. and abroad. I was pursuing a Genetics major, so a career in plant breeding was a logical step to bridge my studies with my interest in agriculture, and I felt like private industry was the best fit for my goals and ambitions. This path led me to pursue a PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding. Choosing to complete a PhD over a MS degree gave me more flexibility and choices when searching for a position. Another important choice I made as a grad student at UC Davis, was to attend many conferences to network with other industry members outside of academia, which led me to my current position with Bayer Vegetable Seeds.

My position in PreBreeding focuses on trait and germplasm development. With a heavier focus on the Research portion of R&D, it surprised me at first how similar it seemed to working as a postdoc. The position is as flexible as you make it, and each of the R&D team members has a say in what projects the team works on, so long as they bring enough convincing evidence and a logical reasoning to justify the task. I’ve had the opportunity to travel to several countries and regularly get to meet with colleagues from all around the globe. Travel demands, while seasonal and dependent on the crop you work in, are generally adaptable to the needs of each person’s family.

Coming from academia where female students can sometimes outnumber males, I didn’t think about the balance of women vs men in the workplace right away. In fact, I feel a strong presence of women at the scientist level, especially at the U. S. sites, though there are noticeably fewer female plant breeders than males. Men do seem to be more numerous in the seed industry in some European regions, but we are starting to see the dynamics shifting and we even see women appearing in the upper management levels. These differences may be more related to a shifting culture of teaching young girls about their opportunities in science than to any other cause. After just a year and a half into my career in industry, I will soon be taking a short leave of absence to start a family. My colleagues have been extremely supportive and I have not felt like I will be left behind by stepping away for a short time. Instead I feel like I have a larger family, composed of my coworkers, to help me balance my role and my life outside of work.

Anna Ball

I grew up in the flower seed industry, although never with the thought that I would be working in it. It was a very male dominated industry then of course but things have changed dramatically. Our seed industry is the best kept secret in the broad world of agriculture - it is big enough to have lots of possibilities but small enough so one person can have a big effect. And it is a great industry for women.

I always thought being a woman in business had a lot of advantages. You may have to work harder to prove yourself, but that isn't all bad! Play up your strengths and ignore your weaknesses. Work hard. Try to find a job in which you can integrate your work and family and don't have to "balance" them. I never believed in balance; it is boring. If you have a job you love, of which there are many in the seed industry, you don't differentiate so much between work and home. They can run together in a rich and wonderful way. Sometimes you go all out at home and sometimes you go all out at work. And sometimes work and home become one.

I encourage you all to join the seed industry and go for it!

With degree qualifications in Economics and Modern Languages, as well as professional qualifications in translation and interpreting, I had little idea of where to go when I left college. Coming from a long line of teachers, it was expected I would enter the profession. There was a big drawback however, my preferring the company of adults rather than of children and my distinct lack of patience, so I discounted this option, much to my mama’s chagrin (think of the long vacations…).

Having earned some pocket money while studying by taking on interpreting and translating commissions, I knew I was not cut for the gruelling schedules of simultaneous interpreting, and translation work bored me to tears, no matter how well paid that was.

I still started my working career as a technical translator with a small UK distributor of a German manufacturer of elevator motors and ventilators for industry. Other duties soon came my way in dealing with our travelling reps’ enquiries and putting offers and quotes together. I could work out the technical requirements for ventilating computers to industrial pig sties. As I sat mesmerised in sales meetings, I longed to have my little company car and get on the road to visit those exotic customers. This traditional business however did not consider women worthy of an ‘outside job’. I left after 3 years.

I started as a commercial assistant with Nickerson Seeds, on the strength of my language abilities and was given the responsibility of managing agents and distributors in French and Spanish speaking countries. I was fortunate to be located in a plant breeding station, and took every opportunity to learn about our crop, sugar beet, over coffee with our plant breeders, and going out with our field workers to tend to field trials. I loved every minute of it, and my hunger for knowledge was truly fired up.

Within a year I had been negotiating tenders and seed supply contracts in Syria, Lebanon, Chile, Argentina and Morocco, in the latter negotiating in person with the National Buying Agency in Rabat. They had not seen a woman in a negotiating capacity before and this caused quite a stir. They learned to quite like the harmonious yet business like proceedings and our business and trust grew substantially over time. I made business trips to countries I had not imagined I would even go to in my wildest dreams. I was hooked, I loved the seed business, and I loved the people.

8 years later, I was approached by Germains and joined the company as Sales and Marketing Manager. I am still here, 25 years later. My career at Germains has been varied and exciting. The first decade saw me working with the team to create a strong European business for our sugar beet seed technology, such as the introduction of seed priming to the UK and USA in the late 90’s, and growing our vegetable seed technology businesses in Europe. In 2000, I joined the Board of Directors as Marketing Director. We launched our first web site in 2001, rebranded our enlarged business entities under one banner; it was a fascinatingly creative time in my career. I then moved on the Board to become Business Development Director in 2005, an exciting time when sugar beet seed priming really took off in Europe and brought new customers.

In a context of increased regulation on our industry, Germains made a strategic decision to focus regulatory competence concerning seed technology and seed treatment. I was keen to take on this role, and became Regulatory Affairs Manager, having strong connection to seed technology working groups in ESA and ISF.

My advice to women in business, and to men for that matter too, whatever that business may be, is never, ever, give up, however it is as well to be truthful to yourself when it is time to move on to get out of a rut, as I did in my first job. I was a foreigner in a new country when I started out. I was a young woman in a predominantly male world in my chosen segment of sales and marketing and agriculture at the time was much more traditional in its gender bias than it is today. I never found it to be a limiting factor, but you have to brave, and courageous to earn trust and respect over time. I was never professionally qualified to do the jobs I have held in the seed industry, but I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to learn and contribute to the highest level, the Board. On the business side, it’s about relationships and trust between people. After 33 years spent in and around the seed industry, I am still in love with it and its people, and there is no other place where I would rather be.

I have worked for over 30 years in the production agricultural industry in the western marketplace, primarily in the fresh produce segment. But it all really started when I grew up on the family farm in the Salinas Valley of California, as a farmer’s daughter, who inherited an innate love for agriculture. Believe it or not, some of my current colleagues and our business partners at Fresh Express were also with me in my youth, where we all participated in 4-H or FFA—they are now our growers and Ag business executives in the industry.

After graduation from UC Davis, within a couple weeks of coming home, I had a job in agriculture at the USDA Research Station in Salinas working for the sugar beet breeder, and that was my intro to the seed business. I eventually worked for over 18 years for Moran Seeds, which became Harris Moran Seeds (now HM.Clause), starting out in the R&D department and eventually working in marketing and sales. My love of science and my degree from UCD helped to chart my path. But also getting a job that involved working in the fields and with growers whom I had known my whole life ended up being a dream opportunity.

However, at the time I entered the field in seed sales there were no women professionals out there, except a couple of reps for major agrichemical manufacturers, but virtually no woman actually working directly with the growers. Imagine a young woman trying to sell growers vegetable seed, it was definitely a new concept for the farmers at the time. Even being a native to the area and having a degree was no help with the growers who demanded proof that I was up to the job. Once I proved to them that I was there to help them, and would always stand up for what I said with the facts and science, answer their questions, and continue to provide consistent customer service, they accepted me as a woman in the field. But this principle of demonstrating integrity, professionalism and consistency really is an asset that will lead to success in any job.

I was never afraid to work hard, nor to get my hands dirty, so part of my initiation in the seed industry involved long hours of testing for incompatibility, setting up isolations and growing pilot crops, as well as hand pollinations, cleaning seed, and practicing basic vegetable seed production - learning the basics of production agriculture. I can not emphasize enough the power of learning about the agricultural business from the bottom up. You will gain tremendous insights, empathy and understanding that will serve you well throughout your career. Later when I moved into seed sales, I put in hundreds of variety trials and worked closely with the plant breeders to learn everything I could about our new varieties. Working closely with those skeptical growers and helping them get insights into the emerging new varieties also paid off with record sales in my Salinas Valley sales territory. Another must is to get a mentor or two, and learn all you can about every aspect of the business.

The seed industry offers tremendous potential for building a career, whether you are a scientist or interested in learning the business, marketing and legal aspects of an industry that offers opportunities both domestic and international. Get a solid education and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty by learning all aspects of production agriculture, it will pay off. Get involved in the industry and your agricultural community too.

Karen Withers
Export Manager
Pennington Seed Inc.
Oregon, USA

My love of agriculture and travel began at a young age. I grew up on a small family farm in Oregon, where I was involved in almost every area of 4-H and FFA, from livestock to home economics, public speaking and foreign exchange. No doubt these experiences shaped my personality and interests. After a summer home stay in Japan at the age of 12, I knew that I would pursue a career in international agriculture.

I received my degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics with a minor in Japanese from Oregon State University. Given that my focus was on international business, I did a one-year study abroad in Tokyo. This experience not only enhanced my language and cultural skills, it also broadened my knowledge of international business through classes and work experience. I followed this with a summer internship at the United Nations in New York City to work on research and globalization issues.

Upon graduation, I began my career in Portland, working for Columbia Grain International on wheat exports. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my career, but my heart was not in the city. I soon moved back to my hometown and began a career at Pennington Seed, Inc. in nearby Lebanon, Oregon. I hadn’t initially intended to pursue a career in the seed industry, but growing up in what is known as the “Grass Seed Capital of the World” it was probably inevitable that I would find my way there - and I haven’t looked back since. The opportunities are abundant.

As a woman in the seed industry, I knew I was outnumbered from the beginning. Yet, I have never felt inferior to my male colleagues nor the need to work harder to prove myself equally capable. In 2013, I was the first woman to receive the Young Seedsman of the Year award (yes, “Seedsman”!) from the Western Seed Association. The same year, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), established in 1883, for the first time elected a woman to be one of top three officers: Risa Demasi , who is now Chair of the association. The seed industry has evolved greatly in recent years and there are now many outstanding women in management and leadership roles, in Oregon, nationally and internationally. The path has been well paved for me and all these women to be judged by our abilities and not discriminated by gender.

Balancing work and life can be a challenge, especially with two young children. I couldn’t have this career without the great support of my husband and family as well as the “family first” environment at Pennington Seed. The company's support and flexibility allow me to not miss out on the important moments in my children’s lives while still succeeding in my career and traveling overseas. The industry as a whole has also shown that family is important and often incorporates events at association meetings for kids of all ages. My children love being part of this and as a mother I appreciate that I’m not put in a position to choose one or the other.

The seed industry is a great place for women to grow, be encouraged, feel like they are part of a family, enhance their skills and see the world.

Aleta Meyr
President
Ransom Seed Laboratory
California, USA

A traditional role: taking over the family business. Not so usual: a daughter taking over a woman-owned business that was started in Los Angeles in 1933 by her mother, Elizabeth (Betty) Ransom. I didn’t doubt that I would have a profession as I grew up in a family with strong, independent professional women as role models. Most of my college years I thought I would do something different¸but I kept ending up in the lab working weekends and summer vacations. Being an avid gardener all my life, I liked hanging out in the lab as a child and often took the discarded sprouts and planted them out in the garden. Growing seeds, using my botanical and horticultural education and applying them in such a practical, satisfying business led me down the path to a profession in the agricultural world.

So today, as president, CEO, general manager and Registered Seed Technician at The Ransom Seed Laboratory, Inc.¸ I have spent some 40 years, my whole career, in this fascinating agricultural community. It is so layered, from global giants trying to feed the world to the small farm down the road that grows edible flowers for exclusive gourmet eaters.

I have intentionally kept the lab as a small business, 10 employees, as it suits my style of management and personal goals. Along the way I have learned that to keep a small business solvent, I had to acquire many skills, including customer service, hiring and training personnel, bookkeeping, small repairs on just about any piece of equipment, and, of course, seed testing which I am passionate about. When we started out, we did all our data reporting using a manual typewriter with carbon paper copies. I have especially enjoyed the challenge of moving to computers and keeping up with technological advances, where all data can be accessed and sent all over the world in a few seconds. And, I am still able to engage many hours a day with hands-on basic work, yes, just counting sprouts and looking for weed seeds in bulk samples.

Early in my career I began to go to workshops and conventions, networking with other people in my profession and staying connected to the many facets of the seed world. This became an essential element to keeping the lab a vibrant, active member of the larger global agricultural community. I've come to realize the passion of this community, to be an essential link in the food chain and fulfilling basic human needs. And, at the same time we get to work with an array of biological species which are fascinating, frustrating, chaotic and a source of constant new discoveries.

And lastly, in the midst of running this small business and sometimes working long hours, I had the pleasure of raising a family of three on our family farm, and even enjoying a few hobbies.

I never imagined a career in agriculture… Both sets of my grandparents grew up on farms in Iowa, and that was (unfortunately) the last generation of farmers in my family. I began my university studies in the School of Engineering at Washington University in Saint Louis, and after three years, decided that the study of culture, language, and business was my true passion. I studied abroad for two summers in Mexico, majored in Spanish, and dreamed of a career in international business. After graduation, I worked in both the printing and clothing industries in import/export logistics and customs compliance. While working, I obtained an Executive Master’s degree in International Business from Saint Louis University. Supply chain experience led me to Monsanto where I initially led the export group for crop protection products. As Monsanto evolved its agricultural footprint and began to focus on seeds and traits, I had the opportunity to learn about the seed business…US distribution of seed and crop protection products, product positioning, warehousing, and producing, moving, and selling seed globally. This included developing an understanding of phytosanitary and labeling requirements. Over time, I developed an expertise in state/federal seed regulations and seed regulatory affairs and policy.

I volunteered time and became involved in the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), chairing both the Seed Industry Relations Committee and Phytosanitary Committee, and in the International Seed Federation (ISF), where I represent ASTA on the ISF Phytosanitary Committee. My career in the seed business has enabled me to travel the world, work with federal, state, and international regulators, and collaborate with competitors on mutual goals. It has provided me with the opportunity to influence and provide input on the development of an international phytosanitary seed movement standard, and build relationships/networks with seedsmen and seedswomen across the globe. After 15 years in agriculture and with Monsanto, I reflect on the incredible leadership opportunities I have been given and how I have loved and developed personally and professionally with every role/assignment along the way….being a part of the seed industry, the challenges, exciting new technologies, meeting farmers/customers, business and leadership development, working with talented and bright colleagues, cross-functional collaborations, and building lasting friendships. I am currently enjoying a challenging role in the US row crop seed production area where I am responsible for US row crop seed quality, stewardship, and compliance.

I am a single mom and have raised a strong daughter, now on her own journey and away to college. I have always felt comfortable with my own work/life balance, perhaps because Monsanto is incredibly supportive of all employees in this area. I have always felt included as a woman in agriculture, and have been treated as an equal by colleagues at Monsanto and within the industry. The seed industry is rewarding, exciting and diverse. I encourage young women to only imagine the possibilities and follow their passions. Women in ag continue to have bright futures and an incredible opportunity to help feed the world.