Seed Science & Technology

Short Course

Join us in person for the Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business (STB) on-campus short course exploring topics in Seed Science and Technology! Short course attendees will participate in focused morning presentations and discussions, and finish the day with industry tours. Daily topics will focus on new technologies in seed treatment, seed conditioning, and seed physiology.

Questions? Contact

Calli Sandahl, Workshop Coordinator; msandahl@iastate.edu
Lori Youngberg, Program Coordinator; lyoung@iastate.edu

Agenda

Held November19-21, 2025, the workshop will start daily at 8:00am and conclude by 5:00pm.

View Agenda

Schedule

November 14, 2022 – Advanced Technologies in Seed Conditioning

Morning Sessions

Optical Sorting introduction with Alan Gaul
Tour of Iowa State University Seed Science Center Seed Conditioning Tower
To be announced

Afternoon Industry Tour

To be announced

November 15, 2022 – Seed Testing and Treatment Technologies

Morning Sessions

To be announced

Afternoon Industry Tour

To be announced

November 16, 2022 – Precision Agriculture and Robotics

Morning Sessions

To be announced

Afternoon Industry Tour

To be announced

Register

Cost is $1,695.00 for general public, and $1,095.00 for current Master’s and Post Doc students. Email msandahl@iastate.edu for the discount code.

Registration to open soon!

Attendee Information

Find important information like hotel accomadations, parking permits, and more here.

Attendee Information

Seed Science & Technology Short Course: November 19-21, 2025

Cost: $1695 for general registration, $1095 for current Master’s or Post Doc students. Email msandahl@iastate.edu for the discount code, please include proof of being a current student.

What to Bring

All supplies will be provided. We recommend you bring a notebook and pen to take notes with. There is easy access to outlets in the classroom for laptops and other electronic devices.

Lodging

There are a number of hotels available throughout Ames, but we recommend the Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites as it is both affordable, and is close to campus. Find hotels in Ames on the Convention and Visitors Bureau website

Parking

Participants in the workshop are not exempt from campus parking regulations.

General Staff Visitor Permit: If you are planning to park on the Iowa State campus during the STB Short Course, email Calli Sandahl, msandahl@iastate.edu, no later than Friday, November 7 so we can reserve your parking permits.

Meals

We will provide lunch for participants on each day of the workshop, Monday-Friday. A light breakfast and afternoon snacks are provided as well.
If you have any dietary requirements or restrictions, please email Calli Sandahl, msandahl@iastate.edu by November 1 to make arrangements in advance.
There are great dinner options throughout the city. Check them out through the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau website

Weather and Dress Code

November weather in Iowa can be quite unpredictable and may require a heavier coat, or light jacket. Please dress accordingly as some of the campus parking lots fill up quickly and it can be a 3-5-minute walk from the SSC.
Please wear closed-toe shoes for industry tours. Casual attire is recommended (jeans ok).
In case of inclement weather, the workshop will be delayed or cancelled only if classes on the Iowa State University campus are delayed or cancelled. Please check your email for any notices from staff.

Maps

The workshop will start each morning at the Seed Science Center on Iowa State University’s Campus

2115 Osborn Drive
Ames, IA
50010

Online Campus Map

Questions?

Please contact Calli Sandahl (msandahl@iastate.edu) or Lori Youngberg (lyoung@iastate.edu).

Countdown to Seed Science & Technology Short Course

Days

Hrs

Min

Sec

TBA

Certified Crop Adviser
Continuing Education Units
through the American Society of Agronomy

Presenters

Gary Munkvold, PhD

Iowa State University Professor, Plant Pathology
STB Graduate Program Chair

Dr. Munkvold Bio

Dr. Munkvold will MC throughout the week.

Gary Munkvold, PhD

Gary P. Munkvold is Professor of Plant Pathology at Iowa State University (ISU), specializing in Seed Pathology. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Davis, and he has worked for more than 20 years in research, extension, and teaching in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and Seed Science Center at Iowa State University. He also held a position with Pioneer Hi-Bred Int., Inc., as Research Coordinator for Pathology, Entomology, and Seed Science. His current research program includes work on detection and management of seedborne pathogens; seedling disease management; and epidemiology and management of mycotoxin-producing fungi in corn. He teaches seed pathology and chairs the ISU on-line Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business. He directs seed health testing method development for the U.S. National Seed Health System, which works to improve seed health testing methods and facilitate seed exports.

Jeff Elwer

Keen Project Solutions
Engineering Director

Mr. Elwer Bio

Mr. Elwer will present on November 20 on Seed Facility Design

Jeff Elwer

Jeff Elwer, an accomplished Engineering Director, brings 50+ years of diverse experience in engineering and construction of complex projects to the EPC industrial landscape. With an extensive international footprint spanning design and construction projects in Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, Germany, Romania, India, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and China, Jeff has honed his expertise in managing intricate projects across different cultures and regulatory environments.

His proficiency extends to Greenfield site development in locations such as Missouri, Michigan, Iowa, North Dakota, Hawaii, Mexico, and India, demonstrating his adaptability to varied settings within the EPC construction realm. Jeff’s professional approach to design, project management, and field execution has been a cornerstone of his success in delivering high-quality projects.

As a seasoned executive, Jeff has worked for multinational firms and owned and managed an EPC company, designing and constructing projects both domestically and internationally. His ability to nurture long-term client relationships with key stakeholders has been instrumental in securing negotiated work and maintaining a stellar reputation within the industry.

Notably, Jeff is an active contributor to the field, presenting annually at the Iowa State University Seed Workshops on Plant Design. His commitment to knowledge sharing is further evident in the development of the Standard Seed Plant Design Manuals for a multi-national seed company, establishing it as their standard bid document.

Jeff Elwer’s qualifications include a degree in Agricultural Engineering from Ohio State University, Professional Engineer (PE) registration in multiple states, and OSHA 500 Trainer certification. His track record of fostering repeat, negotiated, long-term client relationships across agricultural and industrial markets attests to his commitment to trust and proven performance in the EPC construction sector.

A. Susana Goggi, PhD

Iowa State University
Professor, Agronomy

Dr. Goggi Bio

Dr. Goggi will present on November 21 on Seed Physiology

A. Susana Goggi, PhD

A. Susana Goggi is a Professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University. Her seed physiology research and teaching program addresses major seed quality issues confronting the seed industry in Iowa and globally. She also collaborates with the seed industry on shorter-term research projects to address current seed challenges with immediate practical application. Goggi provides seed physiology advice to the seed industry through direct consultations, on-site training of personnel at seed industry education conferences, and by participating in Seed Science Center-sponsored workshops. She is a scholar with more than 100 publications and ~65 invited research presentations at professional meetings worldwide, and has secured more than 12.5M in funding to support her research program. She has chaired the Iowa Seed Association Scholarship Committee since 2014.

Dr. Goggi has trained/is training 35 M.S. and 8 Ph.D. students, mentored research of 13 undergraduates, and has taught seed physiology and seed science to hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students in class. Demand for her very popular undergraduate course, Seed Science and Technology, always exceeds class capacity. This course explores issues specific to the seed industry and prepares the students for jobs in the seed industry, from research and production to sales. She opened her graduate course in Seed Physiology and the Environment to non-credit students in answer to a request from colleagues in the seed industry interested in her class.

Professor Goggi earned a M.S. and Ph.D. in Agronomy and Seed Science at Mississippi State University’s famous seed science and technology program. She has received a number of awards, including:

Honorary Membership, Iowa Seed Association, 2019.
Fellow, Crop Science Society of America, 2016.
Seed Science Award, Crop Science Society of America, 2013.
Editor’s Citation of Excellence for Associate Editors, Crop Science, 2014.
Member, Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture, 2005.

Staff

Lori Youngberg, MS

Iowa State University
STB Graduate Program Coordinator

Questions about the STB Graduate Program, or want to apply?
Email Lori: lyoung@iastate.edu

Calli Sandahl

Iowa State University
STB Graduate Program Event Coordinator

Questions about the Short Course or any other STB events?
Email Calli: msandahl@iastate.edu