When I walked into the Iowa State University Seed Science Center seven years ago for my first day on the job, I never imagined I’d one day be hosting a global conversation about seeds. Yet here we are, launching GermiNation, a podcast created to amplify the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of agriculture. As someone who has spent the past few years telling stories in the seed space, this project feels like a natural extension of the work I love: connecting science to real people and making complex topics understandable, engaging, and even fun.
Seeds are deceptively small things. Inside them are the stories of farmers, researchers, companies, and entire communities whose lives revolve around getting those tiny packages of potential into the ground. But too often, those stories stay within lab walls, conference rooms, and research fields. GermiNation is our effort to open that world, to invite anyone, from seed professionals to curious listeners, into honest, insightful conversations that highlight why this work matters.
The idea for the podcast grew from a simple observation: some of the most important knowledge in the seed sector is shared person to person. I’ve sat in workshops, hallway conversations, and late-night hotel-lobby chats at conferences where experts casually answer questions that could transform someone’s research, business, or career. I wanted to capture that energy and make it accessible to everyone, not just those lucky enough to be in the room.
Our first episodes reflect that spirit. From Dr. Scott Heuchelin’s vision for the future of the Seed Science Center to global perspectives from leaders like Dr. Manjit Misra, Julie Borlaug, and Jean Baptiste Tignegre at the World Food Prize, the conversations are rich, real, and rooted in the mission that drives us: feeding the world through science, collaboration, and innovation.
But GermiNation isn’t just about experts. It’s about community. The seed industry is filled with passionate, generous people who are eager to share what they know. My hope is that this podcast becomes a gathering place, a space where we celebrate successes, tackle challenges, spark curiosity, and nurture the next generation of seed leaders.
Launching GermiNation has reminded me of what seeds teach us every day: growth requires intention, care, and the courage to plant something new. I’m excited to see where these conversations lead and how they might inspire others in this field I care so deeply about.
After all, big things start small. And sometimes, they start with a single conversation.
Listeners can tune in to the podcast on Podbean at https://germination.podbean.com, and follow the Seed Science Center’s social media channels for updates on new episodes. GermiNation can also be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, IHeart, Amazon Music/Audible.
