🌱 Could farmers one day grow corn and other crops with little or no nitrogen fertilizer? One researcher believes it may be possible. He has identified 1,000 genes in flax that could help this nitrogen-hungry crop develop deeper roots and access more of the nitrogen already in the soil... something he believes is transferable to other crops! What could this discovery mean for farmers, fertilizer use and the future of crop production? Find out on the next episode of GermiNation, dropping Wednesday, August 19, at noon! 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC3SS0nt… Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1AAE3H… Amazon Music/Audible: music.amazon.com/podcasts/2e… iHeartRadio: iheart.com/podcast/287601160 Podbean: germination.podbean.com/ Tumblr: tumblr.com/germinationpodcas… @iastate_cals @seedtoday @Better_Seed @SeedWorld_US

🌱 Stronger tools. Healthier seeds. Safer agriculture. As the National Seed Health System celebrates 25 years, the newly redesigned NSHS website and Seed Health Dashboard are strengthening efforts to protect U.S. agriculture while supporting the safe movement of seed around the world. @iastate_cals @SeedWorldGroup @seedtoday @Better_Seed Learn more: seeds.iastate.edu/news/2026/…

Yesterday, we hit the pause button on seed science and spent the day investing in something just as important: our team! 🌱 Our annual employee retreat was filled with great conversations, planning for the future, a delicious lunch, and plenty of laughs. The afternoon brought out everyone's competitive side with games, puzzles, and a spirited bags tournament. 🏆 Congratulations to our Bags Tournament Champions, Dr. Charlie Block and graduate student Sandhya Adhikari, who claimed the title at the 1st Annual Seed Science Center Bags Tournament! A little time to recharge, reconnect, and celebrate the people who make the Seed Science Center such a great place to work goes a long way. Today, it's back to business... refreshed, reenergized, and ready to keep serving the seed industry!

What do winter camelina and drones have in common? They’re helping shape the future of agriculture. In Part 2 of our special GermiNation series from Iowa State University's Relay Cropping Field Day, we're exploring two exciting innovations that are changing how farmers grow crops and make management decisions. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts: lnkd.in/gwHX65_T YouTube: lnkd.in/gjx9jMXS Spotify: lnkd.in/gCsXEg8t Amazon Music/Audible: lnkd.in/g7cjkuW9 iHeartRadio: lnkd.in/gzbSMC22 Podbean: lnkd.in/dyVaxPBr Tumblr: lnkd.in/g52epY84 GermiNation.podbean.com/e/ge… @seedtoday @iastate_cals @Better_Seed

We've officially reached the halfway point of the year! 🌱 July 2 marks the midpoint of the calendar year, a perfect time to reflect on what we've accomplished and look ahead to what's still growing. At the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, the first half of 2026 has been filled with groundbreaking research, hands-on workshops, student achievements, global collaborations, and advancing the science of seeds around the world. The best part? We're just getting started. Here's to the next six months of innovation, discovery, and growing the future of agriculture, one seed at a time. 🌾 What are you looking forward to in the second half of 2026?

Congratulations to Drew Miller on earning the designation of Registered Seed Technologist (RST)! 🌱 Achieving RST status is a significant professional accomplishment that demonstrates a strong commitment to seed science, quality, and excellence within the seed industry. The rigorous examination process requires extensive knowledge across multiple areas of seed technology and reflects a dedication to continued learning and professional growth. We are proud to celebrate Drew's achievement and the expertise she brings to the Seed Science Center. Please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved milestone! @iastate_cals

🌱 After more than 30 years of growing minds, advancing seed science, and inspiring students around the world, Dr. Susana Goggi is officially planting the seeds for her next adventure—retirement! 🎉 Join us as we celebrate an incredible career and thank Dr. Goggi for three decades of dedication, discovery, and service. 📅 June 26 ⏰ 3–5 p.m. 📍 Iowa State University Seed Science Center 🚗 Parking available in the west lot Whether you were a student, colleague, industry partner, or friend, we'd love to see you there as we wish Susana a happy and well-deserved retirement! seeds.iastate.edu/news/2026/…

The Satake Color Sorting Workshop kicked off today at the Iowa State University Seed Science Center! Participants started with classroom instruction, building the knowledge they need to maximize the performance of color sorting technology. Next, they'll move from the classroom to the lab for hands-on training with the very equipment they're learning about, gaining practical skills they can take back to their operations. Investing in professional development is one of the best ways to improve seed quality, efficiency, and decision-making confidence. Whether you're looking to sharpen your own skills or invest in your team's success, there's still time to register for upcoming Seed Science Center summer workshops. 📅 Next up: Seed Treatment Workshop | June 17–18 Don't stop learning. Invest in your people. Invest in yourself. Learn more and register for upcoming workshops at seedlab.iastate.edu @iastate_cals @Better_Seed @SeedWorld_US

Happy 100th Birthday to Marilyn Monroe! 📷 In the 1961 film The Misfits, Marilyn delivered a line that may resonate with anyone who has ever planted a seed: "I never really saw anything grow before. How tiny those seeds were and yet they know they were supposed to be lettuces." While seeds don't "know" what they're meant to become, they do carry something remarkable... the genetic potential to grow into healthy plants when given the right conditions. From a tiny seed comes food, fiber, fuel, and the future of agriculture. At the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, we're inspired every day by the incredible journey from seed to harvest. Sometimes the smallest things truly have the biggest impact. 📷 Here's to 100 years of Marilyn Monroe and to the wonder of seeds that continues to captivate us all.

From Ames, Iowa to Termez, Uzbekistan A new international collaboration is taking root as @IowaStateU Seed Science Center and Termez State University of Engineering and Agrotechnologies explore a strategic partnership to establish a Seed Science Center at TSUEA modeled after the globally recognized center at Iowa State University. This partnership represents more than shared expertise — it’s about advancing seed science, strengthening global agriculture, and building opportunities through education, research, and innovation. Read more about this exciting initiative: seeds.iastate.edu/news/2026/…

The Farm Bill affects far more than just farmers; it shapes the future of the entire seed industry. In the newest episode of GermiNation, Cindy Hicks sits down with Janae Brady, Vice President of Government Affairs for the @Better_Seed American Seed Trade Association, to break down what the newest Farm Bill could mean for seed companies, innovation, trade, research, and agriculture. lnkd.in/g6HHdurE

Congratulations to @IowaStateU Seed Science Center Ph.D. candidates Amina Moro and Rickiel Franklin on being awarded the Iowa Crop Improvement Association Graduate Fellowship for Fall 2026! Their research is helping shape the future of sustainable agriculture through innovative work in perennial groundcover systems, crop establishment, and seed science. From Ghana to Brazil to Iowa State, these students are making a global impact through research, resilience, and a passion for advancing agriculture. We are proud to support the next generation of seed industry leaders! @iastate_cals @isuagronomy

From Iowa to Ukraine -> partnerships in action. This week, a delegation of Ukrainian seed industry professionals continued their U.S. tour with a visit to @LathamSeeds on Tuesday, gaining firsthand insight into advanced seed production, processing and business practices. The visit is part of a two-week, multi-state study tour hosted by @IowaStateU Seed Science Center, bringing 16 Ukrainian seed leaders to the U.S. to strengthen technical expertise and rebuild their country’s seed value chain. From field to lab to market, these experiences are helping equip Ukraine’s seed sector with the tools, partnerships and knowledge needed to support farmers and restore reliable access to high-quality seed. 🌱 This work is about more than training; it’s about rebuilding resilience, strengthening global collaboration, and supporting agriculture in the face of ongoing challenges. 👉 Read more about the delegation and their mission here: seeds.iastate.edu/news/2026/… @iastate_cals @SeedWorld_US @SeedWorldEU @seedtoday

🌍🌱 What if the future of agriculture in Africa starts with something as small as a seed? In the newest episode of GermiNation, we sit down with Yacouba Diallo, Secretary General of the African Seed Trade Association, for a powerful conversation on resilience, innovation, and opportunity in African agriculture. From the challenges of seed access and climate change to the incredible potential of youth, technology, and stronger seed systems, Diallo shares how investing in farmers today can transform communities tomorrow. 💡 Did you know? Quality seed can increase crop yields by up to 50%, making it one of the most impactful tools in the fight for food security. 🎧 Tune in to hear: ✔️ The biggest barriers farmers face—and how to overcome them ✔️ Why education is the key to adoption and success ✔️ How innovation and tradition can work hand-in-hand ✔️ What global leaders and the seed industry must do next 👉 Listen now: podbean.com/eas/pb-vqe9e-1ab… Because every great story starts with a seed. 🌱 #GermiNation #SeedSystems #FoodSecurity #AfricanAgriculture @AFSTA_Seed @iastate_cals @SeedWorldGroup @seedtoday

🌱 Every great story starts with a seed… and this one starts with YOU hitting play. If you’re curious about the science, stories, and people shaping the future of seed—GermiNation podcast is your next must-listen. From groundbreaking research to behind-the-scenes industry insights (and a few moments that will make you smile), GermiNation brings you conversations with the innovators, growers, and changemakers moving agriculture forward—one seed at a time. 🎧 Whether you’re in the lab, in the field, or on the road—this is the podcast that grows with you. 👉 Tune in here: germination.podbean.com/ 🌱 Warning: may cause sudden urges to talk about seeds at dinner.

Big news for Cyclone Nation and especially for the Seed Science Center! Four @IowaStateU alumni have been named inaugural @WorldFoodPrize Alumni Ambassadors and we’re especially proud to celebrate two with SSC roots Nolan Monaghan and Olivia Marti, both former Seed Science Center team members and @IowaSeed Association scholarship recipients, are now part of an elite global group of just 22 ambassadors worldwide working to advance food security. From hands-on experience in seed science to global leadership in agriculture, they’re proving that impact starts with a seed and grows far beyond it. They join fellow ISU alumni Morgan Smith and Evelyn Heidt in a brand-new program designed to empower young leaders to shape the future of food systems. From the lab to the world stage, this is what Cyclone innovation looks like. Read the full story: seeds.iastate.edu/news/2026/… @iastate_cals

What if the key to healthier soils and strong corn yields isn’t choosing one… but finding the right balance? New research from Iowa State University shows that success with groundcover systems comes down to a “sweet spot.” Too close, and crops sense competition early. Just the right distance, and farmers can protect soil while maintaining productivity. This breakthrough is helping farmers rethink spacing, hybrid selection, and management strategies—proving you don’t have to sacrifice yield for sustainability. seeds.iastate.edu/news/2026/… @iastate_cals @SeedWorld_US @Better_Seed

New episode drop! GermiNation S2E4 is here. Join Dr. Susana Goggi as she reflects on a remarkable career in seed science and what comes next for the industry. From mentoring the next generation to tackling global challenges like climate change and food security, this episode dives into why seed scientists are more essential than ever. Plus, hear directly from students entering the field: what excites them, what they’re looking for, and why purpose and mentorship matter more than ever. Because behind every harvest… is a seed and a scientist. Listen now and be inspired. Apple Podcasts: lnkd.in/gTfri7fR YouTube: lnkd.in/gjx9jMXS Spotify: lnkd.in/gCsXEg8t Amazon Music/Audible: lnkd.in/gbG2cxXf... iHeartRadio: lnkd.in/gzbSMC22 Podbean: lnkd.in/dyVaxPBr @iastate_cals @Better_Seed @SeedWorld_US

New episode of GermiNation is live! 🎙️ Did you know there are only 114 Registered Seed Technologists (RSTs) across North America? That’s it! The demand for their expertise is growing fast. From seed quality and labeling to global trade and food security, RSTs quietly keep agriculture moving, and the need for more trained professionals has never been greater. In our newest GermiNation episode, we dig into what it means to be an RST, why this credential matters, and how it opens the door to a high-impact, purpose-driven career in seed science. 🌾 🎧 Tune in, learn why this workforce gap matters, and find out how the next generation of seed professionals can step up and make a difference. seeds.iastate.edu/news/2026/… @iastate_cals @Better_Seed @ISTAseedtesting @SeedWorld_US

Why apply for a Customer Relations Coordinator position at the Iowa State University Seed Science Center? Because here, people matter. ✔ Over 100 years of seed testing excellence ✔ A collaborative, respectful team culture ✔ Leadership that values training and communication ✔ A supervisor who sets the tone for professionalism and kindness When you join this team, you’re not just getting a job; you’re joining a group that takes pride in doing things right. 👉 Apply today seeds.iastate.edu/news/2026/…