The Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) is back in Indianapolis at a moment when the independent seed sector is navigating real pressure — and doing so with record engagement.
This year’s event marks the IPSA’s biggest gathering yet at 560 attendees, surpassing the previous high of 475 set just last year in Palm Springs.
“We’ve got the largest IPSA conference gathering that we’ve ever had,” says IPSA CEO Todd Martin. “It’s something we’re really excited about.”
Martin is quick to credit IPSA’s membership for the momentum.
“We’re very thankful to our membership base that continues to support us,” he says, adding that the growth is “a credit to them more than anybody else.”
A Theme Built Around Transformation
This year’s conference theme, SHIFT, reflects more than movement, speed or “shifting into high gear,” Martin says . The visual symbol behind the theme is the Valknut, an ancient Nordic symbol associated with power, change, and becoming something different.
“It’s Odin’s historical symbol of power, transformation, changing, becoming something different,” Martin explains. “What we want to shift is our mindsets.”
That shift is intended to extend well beyond the conference itself. “This is not just a meeting that ends tomorrow,” he says. “This carries through the entire year.” The goal, he explains, is continued education and a push to help companies “become more efficient, to utilize new technologies and continue to grow, so that they can continue to thrive in a challenging environment.”
Resilience Is Nothing New for Independents
For Martin, the theme resonates because independent seed companies have long operated in a constant state of adaptation.
“The exciting thing about the independent seed companies — they’ve always been in a shift mindset,” he says. “They’re resilient, which is particularly important especially in challenging times.”
There’s no question independent seed companies are operating in an extremely challenging reality today. Margins are tighter. Technology cycles are shorter. Freedom to operate is being squeezed. Yet, independence matters. Independent seed has always thrived on agility, creativity, and close connection to customer needs. Those are strengths that don’t scale easily but remain essential. Choice, regional expertise, and trusted relationships with growers are the key pillars of a resilient seed industry.
Martin points to the repeated predictions of consolidation that have followed the sector for decades.
“People have counted independent seed companies out for decades,” Martin says. “They say, there’s only going to be 10 companies left, five companies left. And yet, here they still stand and they continue to grow.”
A Program Focused on Practical Impact
Resilience is reflected throughout the #IPSA2026 program. The week began with GreenLeaf’s Winterfest and continues with two full days of IPSA programming focused on economics, people performance, technology adoption, and operational efficiency.
Main-stage speakers include ever popular ag economist Dan Basse; David Horsager (CEO, Trust Edge Leadership Institute) addressing trust and leadership; and Graham Cochrane (acclaimed entrepreneur and USA Today bestselling author) closing the conference with a focus on innovation.
Martin says leadership and people are recurring themes throughout the agenda. “Trust is so very important today,” Martin says.
Breakout sessions extend that focus, covering IPSA’s evolving member services, practical applications of artificial intelligence (“not the big dream, but how can we employ it today,” Martin says), and a wide range of people and performance topics critical to independent seed companies.
Stay Connected at #IPSA2026
If you’re in Indianapolis for #IPSA2026, pop by the Seed World Media Center. You can’t miss us just outside the doors of the main ballroom.
For those following remotely, Seed World’s daily newsletters will deliver highlights, insights, and key conversations from the conference floor through Thursday afternoon.
Whether you’re walking the halls in person or following along from afar, this is a week worth paying attention to.
