b'The Value of aHandshake in a Virtual WorldThe Western Seed Associations new president, Ryan Dunham, says his highest priority in his new role is to maintain opportunities for authentic, in-person business relationship building at the annual Western. Madeleine BaergIN 1899,a group of seed merchantsThe WSAs mission is to promotehe says, is what really keeps our organi-met for an informal meeting in Kansasthe production, selling and trading ofzation rolling. We want to do everything City, Missouri, aiming to discuss industry- seeds, while maintaining cooperation andwe can to enable her to do the good work related issues and promote the seedrespect between members, suppliers, andshe does.trade. The priority of the meeting wascustomers. While the WSA board meetsIn addition, he hopes to maintain the trade, with the seedsmen successfullythroughout the year, its primary role is tostrong traditions of more than 100 years making deals on hundreds of train-carorganize the annual convention. Dunhamof Western conventions. loads of mostly timothy, red clover,says the value of the convention is clear.This is more than a century old, he common alfalfa, and smooth brome- Im the GM of a turfgrass seed mul- says. In the seed industry, we focus on grass. An annual traditionthe Westerntiplication cleaning plant, Dunham says.the seasons of planting and harvest. Conferencewas born. What we find value in from the WesternWhen the Western comes along, its a This years annual Western SeedSeed Association Conference is mostlytime to really look ahead and plan for the Association (WSA) convention took placethat its an opportunity to meet with allfuture. What are we going to be doing a Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 in Kansas City, Missouri.the people we do business with. There areyear from now, both on the sales and the During the convention, the WSAs 2022sessions and speakers too, but the big- production sides. I think thats so impor-president, Kyle Atkinson of Penningtongest value is all the one-on-one businesstant to make time to focus on the future, Seed, handed leadership to incominginteraction. to invest in the relationships that make president, Ryan Dunham, manager ofMeeting face-to-face, just being in theyour business successful. Thats what Norfarm Seeds located near Roseau,same space with others in your business,we want to continue as a tradition at the Minnesota. is so important for any business, whetherWestern. Leading the WSA and hosting theyoure selling houses or cars or, like us,Dunham brings to his new role as Western is a big responsibility, Dunhamworking in the seed industry, Dunhampresident of the WSA the same attitude says, but one hes happy to step into.says. Technology is great for lots ofhe has about life: Theres a really good group of excel- things but sometimes we need to beAs humans, we always want to be lent businessmen in the seed industrytogether as people to build and main- optimistic, he says. There will certainly be who are very willing to pitch in to keep thetain the relationships that make businesschallenges that well have to work through, Western going. Its absolutely not all onwork. because challenges come up anytime my head as the president, there are lots ofWhat does Dunham plan to do withtheres decisions, but if you maintain that good people who will work together, hehis year of presidency? optimism, youll find the opportunities. says. And its a really important traditionMy main goal is to keep Tina happy,And there are definitely opportunities - big to keep going that makes a big differencehe says with a smile but underlying seri- opportunities - in the seed industry.SWto a lot of seed businesses. ousness. Executive director Tina Bowling, 110/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2023'