As autumn arrived, twelve ambitious seed professionals stepped onto the UC Davis campus for the inaugural Seed Business 201: Vegetables course.

Over four intensive days, participants worked through real-world case studies, tackling topics from market and portfolio analysis and business model do’s and don’ts to M&A integration. Yet the real challenge came when a “tanker” (Barracuda Seeds) merged with a “speedboat” (Expert Seeds). Could two companies with such contrasting cultures truly align, or would they fall into the familiar trap that derails so many mergers? How can a newly formed company stand out and grow its vegetable seed business in today’s competitive global vegetable seed market?

Discover the strategies and insights and uncover the answer in the next Seed Business 201 – June 2026! 📧 To be added to the interest list, contact Louise Lee

“The Seed Business 201: Vegetables program at the UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center was an incredibly enriching experience! The course provided me with valuable insights into seed business strategy design and how to effectively implement a strategy, while also offering the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from various sectors of the seed industry.”
– Elise Adan | Sales Manager, Sakata Seed America

The course was guided by an exceptional team of seed industry thinkers and doers, including Vicente Navarro, former CEO of Nunhems/BASF Vegetable Seeds; Jeff Boettge, former Global Head of Marketing at Nunhems/BASF; and Jovan Djordjevic, Director of the UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy and business owner of Murray River Seeds. With more than a century of combined experience in this classroom too, their insights and stories brought the curriculum to life, making the learning both practical and deeply relatable.

“A special thank you to Jeff, Vicente, and Jovan for sharing your valuable material and real-world experiences. I really appreciated the opportunity to learn from your insights and practical knowledge.”
– Kale Mueller | Associate Product Manager, Koch Agronomic Services

We could not be prouder of this remarkable class. Their curiosity, energy, and thoughtful participation made each session richer. The UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center team wishes every student continued success in both their professional journeys and personal growth.