News

Seed Science Center Celebrates the Retirement of Global Programs Leader Dr. Lulu Rodriguez

After a distinguished career dedicated to advancing agricultural communication, international development, and global seed systems, the Iowa State University Seed Science Center (SSC) celebrated the retirement of Dr. Lulu Rodriguez during a reception on July 29.

Rodriguez joined the Seed Science Center in 2019 as Global Programs Lead, where she helped expand Iowa State University's international reach through partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, and collaborative projects that strengthened seed systems around the world.

Seed Health Dashboard Relaunch Strengthens U.S. Seed Biosecurity as National Seed Health System Marks 25 Years

As the National Seed Health System (NSHS) prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary this month (August 2026), the Iowa State University Seed Science Center has reached another important milestone in protecting U.S. agriculture with the relaunch of the NSHS website on July 31. Included in the website relaunch was a redesign for the Seed Health Dashboard (Seed HD)  that went live on July 20. 

Seed Science Center Ph.D. Student Mayowa Aderoju Selected for Prestigious FFAR Fellowship

Mayowa Aderoju, a Ph.D. student in Plant Pathology at Iowa State University's Seed Science Center, has been selected as a fellow in the highly competitive Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) Fellows Program, an honor that recognizes emerging leaders poised to shape the future of agriculture.

The FFAR Fellows Program brings together outstanding doctoral students from across the country and provides advanced training in leadership, communications, policy engagement, and professional development. The program is designed to help scientists expand the impact of their research beyond academia and into industry, government, and agricultural communities.

One Acre, Two Paychecks: The Promise of Relay Cropping

Around 40 farmers, researchers, industry professionals, and students gathered at Iowa State University's Sorenson Farm near Boone, Iowa, in early June to explore how relay cropping systems could help improve farm profitability, soil health, and crop diversity across Iowa.

Celebrating a Legacy of Seed Science: Dr. Susana Goggi Retires After More Than Three Decades at Iowa State University

After more than 30 years of dedicated service to Iowa State University, the seed industry, and generations of students, Dr. Susana Goggi, Professor of Agronomy and internationally recognized seed physiologist, will retire this summer.

What Drives Seed Industry Professionals to Pursue Higher Education?

As the global seed industry faces growing pressure to improve food security, sustainability, and agricultural innovation, one question becomes increasingly important: What motivates professionals to pursue advanced education in seed science?

A newly published study from Iowa State University’s Seed Science Center offers insight into that question and the answers may help shape the future workforce of the seed industry.

Iowa State University and Termez State University Explore Partnership to Establish a Seed Science Center in Uzbekistan

Iowa State University (ISU) and Termez State University of Engineering and Agrotechnologies (TSUEA) are exploring a strategic partnership to establish a Seed Science Center at the TSUEA campus modeled after the internationally recognized Seed Science Center in Ames, Iowa.

The initiative represents a major step toward strengthening seed systems, agricultural innovation, and scientific capacity in Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation and Understanding between the two universities.

Seed Industry Leaders Watching Closely as Farm Bill Advances

The latest episode of GermiNation, the podcast from the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, explores how the newest Farm Bill could shape the future of the U.S. seed industry, from research funding and international trade to seed health and agricultural innovation.

Iowa Crop Improvement Association Awards Graduate Fellowships to Seed Science Center Ph.D. Candidates

Two Iowa State University Seed Science Center Ph.D. candidates, Amina Moro and Rickiel Franklin, have been selected to receive the Iowa Crop Improvement Association (ICIA) Graduate Fellowship for the fall 2026 semester in recognition of their research, academic achievements, and contributions to the future of sustainable agriculture and seed systems.

Seeds of Resilience: AFSTA Leader Highlights the Power of Seed Systems on GermiNation Podcast

Strengthening seed systems is one of the most powerful ways to transform agriculture, improve livelihoods and ensure food security across Africa, according to Yacouba Diallo, secretary general of the African Seed Trade Association.

Diallo shared his insights during a recent episode of GermiNation, the podcast produced by the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, where he discussed the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of agriculture on the African continent.

Ukraine Seed Industry Delegation Visits U.S. to Rebuild Domestic Seed Value Chain

The Iowa State University (ISU) Seed Science Center (SSC) is hosting a delegation of 16 Ukrainian seed company representatives for a two-week business-to-business study tour across the United States, May 2–16, 2026. The visit, part of the Agricultural Growing Rural Opportunities in Ukraine (AGRO) Activity, brings participants to 18 U.S. seed companies and seed-related organizations across six states to strengthen collaboration and technical expertise in the global seed sector.

Four ISU Alumni Named Inaugural World Food Prize Alumni Ambassadors

New Research Shows Finding the “Sweet Spot” Is Key to Successful Groundcover Systems

At Iowa State University, Seed Physiology Ph.D. student Amina Moro is advancing research that could reshape how farmers balance productivity with environmental sustainability. Her work explores how corn responds to nearby perennial groundcover, an emerging system designed to protect soil year-round, offering new insights into how crops perceive and react to competition even before it begins.

Alan Gaul Honored with CALS Staff Service and Dedication Award

An 80-Year-Old Startup: New STB Instructor, Jim Schweigert, on Education, Agility, and Thriving as a Family Seed Company

When Jim Schweigert describes Gro Alliance, he calls it an “80-plus-year-old startup.” It’s a phrase that captures both legacy and forward momentum, and it perfectly frames the conversation in GermiNation Season 2, Episode 3.

Record Number of Seed Science Scholarships Awarded to CALS Students

The Iowa State University (ISU) Seed Science Center (SSC) and Iowa Seed Association (ISA) awarded 16 scholarships to 15 students at the annual Agribusiness Showcase and Conference. The awards included 12 ISA scholarships of $1,000 each, the $1,000 Bill Latham Memorial Scholarship, the $1,000 Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Memorial Scholarship, the $500 Manjit Misra Outstanding Senior Scholarship, and the Iowa Crop Improvement Scholarship.  This is the largest number of scholarships ever awarded by the ISU Seed Science Center.  

Build on the Conversation: STB Webinar Series Continues This April

As the Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business (STB) looks ahead to its upcoming Seed Business Management webinars in April, participants are encouraged to revisit, or explore for the first time, the rich content and expert perspectives featured in the November Seed Science and Technology webinar series, now available on demand.

New GermiNation Episode: Why Registered Seed Technologists Matter More Than Ever

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