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Thanksgiving: A Celebration Rooted in Agriculture

President,
Gro Alliance

A third-generation seedsman, Jim Schweigert grew up in the family seed business and was exposed to industry issues at an early age. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in public relations from the University of Minnesota and worked for corporate public relations firms in Minneapolis, Chicago and Atlanta before joining the family business full time in 2003. He has since been active in the American Seed Trade Association, the Independent Professional Seed Association and earned his master’s in seed technology and business from Iowa State University. As president, Schweigert manages client contracts and crop planning, as well as business development and new market opportunities. His unique background and experience make him one of the seed industry’s leaders in innovation. As such, he was honored as Seed World’s 2009 Future Giant and currently serves as chair of the board of directors for Seed Programs International.

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Thanksgiving is more than a holiday — it’s the ultimate celebration of agriculture. Its origins trace back to the early 1600s, when Pilgrims and Native Americans came together to share food, marking a partnership built on sustaining life through farming. That first feast wasn’t just about gratitude; it was about survival, cooperation and the promise of a future nourished by the land.

Today, those same principles endure in the heart of American agriculture. Farmers exemplify the best of America — hard work, resilience and a deep commitment to their communities. They care for their land, their animals and their families with the same dedication shown centuries ago. In many ways, every harvest season is a modern echo of that first Thanksgiving: a time to reflect on the blessings of abundance and the shared responsibility of feeding others.

For our family, this tradition runs deep. Our farming roots stretch back to 1904 in North Dakota, where the values of stewardship and perseverance were planted alongside the crops. In 1941, we expanded into seed production in Northern Wisconsin, building a business that continues to thrive today. Each generation has carried forward the belief that farming is more than an occupation, but a duty to provide for others.

As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, we celebrate more than food. We honor the togetherness that defines rural life—the neighbors who lend a hand, the families who work side by side and the communities that rally in times of need. These bonds are the backbone of agriculture, just as they were when Pilgrims and Native Americans shared their harvest centuries ago.

It’s a tradition our family, and employees, are proud to uphold, and one that continues to inspire us as we look toward the future of agriculture. I hope your Thanksgiving is also filled with good food, good company and a deep appreciation for the land that provides for all of us.



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