February 2018
The Seed Technology and Business (STB) Graduate Program at Iowa State University (ISU) successfully launched their first Seed Business Management short course on February 5-9, 2018. The week-long short course, a companion course to the Seed Science and Technology short course completed in Nov. 2017, was well attended by seed industry professionals from across the United States.
Participants of the Seed Business Management short course held Feb. 5-9, 2018, in Ames included: Sharon Tusiime, Iowa State University; Gary Munkvold, short course director; Crystal Wells, John Deer Co.; Dale McDonald, S&W Seed Co.; Hannah Neuenschwander, Monsanto; Mark Streenz, DuPont Pioneer; Colin Connor, Monsanto; Ignacio Bartolome, GDM Seeds; Sarah Schalm, DuPont Pioneer; Greg Lamka, short course instructor, Katelyn Lichte, DuPont Pioneer; Cindy Robertson, short course coordinator; Amy Hohnstein, Syngenta; Charles Morris, BASF Ag Solutions; Stephen Smith, short course instructor; Lori Youngberg, STB graduate program coordinator. Participants not pictured: Gino Beltran, DuPont Pioneer; Chenglai Wu, Iowa State University.
The Seed Business Management short course focused on the business side of the seed industry. Seed industry guest speakers Mike Gumina (CEO, RiceTec, Inc.) and Jim Schweigert (President, Gro Alliance, LLC.) started off the week each contributing their unique perspectives concerning the evolution, challenges, and opportunities facing today’s seed industry. Master of Business (MBA) faculty from the Ivy College of Business at ISU, along with experts in the seed industry, worked with participants to increase their understanding of business-to-business marketing strategies, managing supply chains, leadership development, trade regulations, research management, and finance.
“A well-designed course that gives great insight on the state of the industry and background on how our business runs.” – Colin Connor, Monsanto, Co.
Short course participants felt the instructors were very engaging and the course topics covered key issues they face on a daily basis in the seed industry. “The instructors are extremely knowledgeable in the seed industry and were able to provide thought-provoking insights and discussions,” shared participant Katelyn Lichte, DuPont Pioneer. “A well-designed course that gives great insight into the state of the industry and background on how our business runs,” said Colin Connor, Monsanto, Co. The STB Graduate program will continue to offer these short courses as a way of giving industry professionals more opportunities for continued education.
The STB short courses are offered through the Seed Science Center located on the ISU campus. The center houses the most comprehensive public seed testing laboratory in the world and is recognized globally as a leader in seed research, testing and education.
For more information, or to register for future Seed Science & Technology or Seed Business Management short courses, visit: www.seedgrad.iastate.edu/stbshortcourse or contact us at stbshortcourse@iastate.edu, ph. 515-294-6947. Seating is limited.
