GermiNation

Today's episode is Part Two of our special series from the Relay Cropping Field Day at Iowa State University's Sorenson Research Farm. In Part One, we learned about the promise of relay cropping from Dr. Shrishail Navi and heard firsthand how sixth-generation farmer Jason Russell of Big Boulder Farms is putting these conservation practices to work on his operation. Today, we continue that conversation by looking at what's next. You'll hear from Matt Leavitt, an agronomist with the Forever Green Initiative, and Anna Teeter of Cargill about the growing opportunities surrounding winter camelina, an emerging oilseed crop creating new markets for farmers. Then we'll take to the skies with Dr. Fernando Mauri Marcos of Iowa State University's Remote Sensing and Imaging Lab to explore how drone technology is helping researchers, and soon, family farmers, collect the data needed to make smarter, more informed management decisions.

Today's episode is Part Two of our special series from the Relay Cropping Field Day at Iowa State University's Sorenson Research Farm. In Part One, we learned about the promise of relay cropping from Dr. Shrishail Navi and heard firsthand how sixth-generation farmer Jason Russell of Big Boulder Farms is putting these conservation practices to work on his operation. Today, we continue that conversation by looking at what's next. You'll hear from Matt Leavitt, an agronomist with the Forever Green Initiative, and Anna Teeter of Cargill about the growing opportunities surrounding winter camelina, an emerging oilseed crop creating new markets for farmers. Then we'll take to the skies with Dr. Fernando Mauri Marcos of Iowa State University's Remote Sensing and Imaging Lab to explore how drone technology is helping researchers, and soon, family farmers, collect the data needed to make smarter, more informed management decisions.

Today on GermiNation, we're exploring one of the most innovative approaches in modern crop production: relay cropping. Researchers at Iowa State University are studying how farmers can maximize productivity by growing multiple crops in the same season while improving soil health and creating new revenue streams.

Today on GermiNation, we're exploring one of the most innovative approaches in modern crop production: relay cropping. Researchers at Iowa State University are studying how farmers can maximize productivity by growing multiple crops in the same season while improving soil health and creating new revenue streams.

What does the new Farm Bill mean for the future of the U.S. seed industry? On this episode of GermiNation, host Cindy Hicks sits down with Janae Brady, Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), to break down one of the most important policy discussions impacting agriculture today.  Brady shares insights from her experience working on Capitol Hill and helping negotiate portions of the 2018 Farm Bill, while discussing how the latest legislation could affect agricultural research, innovation, seed trade, conservation programs, crop insurance, biotechnology regulation, and food security. She also explains why strong federal support for research, seed health, and phytosanitary systems is critical to the future of agriculture and global seed movement.   The conversation also explores how ASTA advocates for the seed industry in Washington, D.C., the importance of the National Plant Germplasm System, and why policy decisions made today will shape the future of farming and food production for years to come.  Whether you work in agriculture, seed science, policy, or simply want to better understand how the Farm Bill impacts the food system, this episode offers valuable insight into the policies driving the future of American agriculture.

What does the new Farm Bill mean for the future of the U.S. seed industry? On this episode of GermiNation, host Cindy Hicks sits down with Janae Brady, Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), to break down one of the most important policy discussions impacting agriculture today.  Brady shares insights from her experience working on Capitol Hill and helping negotiate portions of the 2018 Farm Bill, while discussing how the latest legislation could affect agricultural research, innovation, seed trade, conservation programs, crop insurance, biotechnology regulation, and food security. She also explains why strong federal support for research, seed health, and phytosanitary systems is critical to the future of agriculture and global seed movement.   The conversation also explores how ASTA advocates for the seed industry in Washington, D.C., the importance of the National Plant Germplasm System, and why policy decisions made today will shape the future of farming and food production for years to come.  Whether you work in agriculture, seed science, policy, or simply want to better understand how the Farm Bill impacts the food system, this episode offers valuable insight into the policies driving the future of American agriculture.

In this episode of GermiNation, host Cindy Hicks sits down with Yacouba Diallo, Secretary General of the African Seed Trade Association, to explore the powerful role of seed systems in shaping the future of agriculture across Africa. Diallo shares his journey from working with smallholder farmers in Burkina Faso to leading continental efforts to strengthen seed systems and expand access to quality seed. He discusses the biggest challenges farmers face today, from fragmented regulations and limited distribution networks to financial barriers and climate pressures, and offers insight into how these obstacles can be overcome through innovation, education, and collaboration. This conversation explores the critical link between seed access and farmer success, highlighting how high-quality seeds can boost yields by up to 50%, improve nutrition, and create economic opportunities. Diallo also emphasizes the importance of combining traditional farming knowledge with modern science, empowering youth through agricultural education, and leveraging digital tools to expand reach and impact. Looking ahead, he outlines emerging opportunities in plant breeding, biotechnology, and agribusiness entrepreneurship, while calling on global leaders and the seed industry to invest in policies, partnerships, and accessible technologies that support farmers on the ground. From resilience in rural communities to the promise of innovation, this episode reveals how stronger seed systems can transform livelihoods and why the future of agriculture in Africa starts with a seed.