Ames, Iowa, USA
January 12, 2026
The latest episode of GermiNATION, the podcast from the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, takes listeners straight to the heart of the global seed industry, from policy and plant breeding innovation to trade, climate resilience, and the urgent need to tell agriculture’s story more effectively.
Recorded live at the American Seed Trade Association Field Crop Seed Convention in Orlando, Florida, the episode features in-depth conversations with Andy LaVigne, president and CEO of ASTA, and Diego Risso, executive director of the Seed Association of the Americas. Together, they offer a wide-angle view of where seed systems are headed, and why it matters to farmers, consumers, and global food security.
“Nothing starts unless the farmer plants the seed,” LaVigne reminds listeners, underscoring the foundational role seed plays in feeding, fueling, and sustaining the world
Innovation, Policy, and the Global Marketplace
Andy LaVigne, president and CEO of ASTA
From gene editing and biologicals to artificial intelligence and molecular diagnostics, LaVigne points to rapid innovation as both an opportunity and a responsibility. “Gene editing is a really sharp tool,” he says. “It allows us to target characteristics that are favorable to the plant, favorable to the farmer, and favorable to the crop they’ll harvest.”
But innovation doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Trade policy and regulatory harmonization remain critical challenges. “The ability to move seed globally is absolutely essential,” LaVigne notes, emphasizing that inconsistent phytosanitary rules and trade barriers can slow progress and increase risk across the supply chain
Building Resilient Seed Systems Across the Americas
Diego Risso, executive director of the Seed Association of the Americas
Risso expands the conversation beyond U.S. borders, describing how the Americas, from Canada to Patagonia, play a central role in global food production. “Everything starts with a seed,” he says. “If we want to keep producing food for the world, we need innovation, science-based regulation, and access to markets.”
He highlights the region’s leadership in gene-editing policy while acknowledging ongoing gaps, particularly around phytosanitary requirements and intellectual property protections. “You can have the best technologies,” Risso explains, “but if they can’t reach farmers because of regulatory barriers, they don’t create value.”
Climate Change, Talent, and Telling Seed’s Story
Both guests return repeatedly to climate resilience, developing seeds that can withstand drought, pests, and extreme weather, while producing more food on less land. Yet perhaps the most urgent theme is communication.
“We have a great story to tell,” Risso says. “But too often, others are telling our story the wrong way. We need to build our own narrative about the value of seed, genetics, and science.”
LaVigne echoes that call, encouraging professionals to show up, engage beyond their immediate circles, and help the next generation see the opportunities within seed science and agriculture.
Why Listen
This episode of GermiNATION is a must-listen for anyone working in seed, agriculture, policy, or education, or anyone curious about how tiny seeds sit at the center of some of the world’s biggest challenges. Thought-provoking, timely, and grounded in real-world experience, it reminds us that every great story. And every resilient food system starts with a seed.
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