There are only 114 Registered Seed Technologists in North America, leading to a quiet but critical challenge that is emerging across the global seed industry: demand for skilled seed technologists is growing, while the number of trained professionals entering the field continues to shrink. The latest episode of GermiNation, the podcast from the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, shines a spotlight on this issue and the opportunity it creates by exploring the role and impact of Registered Seed Technologists (RSTs).
In this episode, host Cindy Hicks is joined by two leaders in seed quality testing: Jessica Blake, Registered Seed Technologist and Manager of the Iowa State University Seed Quality Lab, and Quinn Gillespie, Registered Seed Technologist and seed quality and lab manager at Universal Seed in Oregon. Together, they unpack what it truly means to work in seed testing and why the RST credential carries weight across the industry.
“People think seed testing is just sorting seeds, but it’s a lot broader than that,” Blake explained. “You’re evaluating individual seedlings, understanding regulations, advising industry partners, and ensuring seed quality and truth in labeling.” She added that becoming an RST represents a level of commitment and expertise comparable to earning an advanced degree. “Passing the exam is really just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what you need to know.”
Both guests described finding their way into seed testing almost by accident, yet quickly realizing it was more than just a job. Gillespie recalled attending her first professional meeting and seeing people who had spent decades in the field and were still deeply engaged. “There’s really something to an industry where people are still excited and invested after 30 or 40 years,” she said.
The conversation also addressed what’s at stake if the workforce gap continues. Without enough trained seed technologists, the risks extend beyond individual companies to global trade, environmental protection, and food security. “Seed is everything,” Gillespie emphasized. “It touches every person, every day, all over the world.”
The episode closes with encouragement for students and early-career professionals to explore seed science as a career path. “If you have an eye for detail and enjoy critical thinking, there’s probably a place in a lab for you,” Blake said.
Listen to the full episode to learn how becoming a Registered Seed Technologist can lead to a meaningful, high-impact career, and why investing in this profession is essential for the future of agriculture. Also available on Spotify, YouTube, IHeart Radio, Audible, Tumblr and Apple Podcasts.
