ABOUT DAN CURRY

Dan Curry is the Oregon State University (OSU) Department of Crop and Soil Science representative on the Oregon Seed Council Board of Directors. Dan has been the Director of Seed Services at OSU since 2006. Seed Services includes working with the OSU Certification unit, OSU Seed Lab and the Foundation Seed area. Dan has a BS in agronomy from South Dakota State and MBA from Iowa State. He was the Manager of the Iowa State University Seed Lab for six years before taking on the role as Director of Seed Services at OSU. He worked for three years as a business outreach and development specialist and six as a research associate, both at Iowa State. Dan has over ten years of seed industry experience as a seed plant and production manager with two different companies.

Dan is a long-time member of the Oregon Seed Council Board of Directors and helps lead the OSC Seed Services Advisory Committee. He plays an important role in providing resources, information, and connecting members to services and research at OSU. 

ABOUT OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF CROP AND SOIL SCIENCE

Oregon State University (OSU), located in Corvallis, is a leading public research university known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, forestry, oceanography, and environmental sciences. It’s Oregon’s largest university and a land-, sea-, space-, and sun-grant institution—one of only three in the U.S. OSU plays a vital role in regional innovation and sustainability, with deep ties to industry and government, especially in agricultural and environmental research. 

The Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University focuses on solving challenges in field crop agriculture, soil health, and natural resource management through hands-on learning and cutting-edge research. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in agronomy, soil science, and plant breeding, preparing students for careers in sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.

WHAT INTERESTS DAN IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

When asked what interests Dan in the seed industry, he said, “working with the seed growers and understanding the issues they have to go through each year.”

WHAT DAN LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

What Dan loves most about the Oregon Seed Council is, “Meeting up with all of the industry folks and seeing the next generation take over the leadership.”

 WHAT DAN SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Looking toward the future, Dan said, “I see the OSC playing a key role in leading the industry through legislative, technical, and relationship issues.”

WHAT DAN WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY 

When asked what Dan wishes people knew about the seed industry, he said he wishes people knew that “Oregon family farms are raising turf and forages grass seed that are sold around the world.”

In fact, the Oregon seed industry exports an estimated $162,824,215 in grass, clover, and forage seeds to 56 countries, and grass seed is Oregon’s number four commodity.

HOW DAN GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

Dan grew up on a family seed farm, and has stayed involved in agriculture throughout his career.

WHAT DAN DOES OUTSIDE OF THE SEED INDUSTRY

When he’s not working, Dan is a coffee-connoisseur, and can be found striving to make the seemingly unattainable perfect cup of coffee. But, of course, while practice makes perfect (or close to it), rest is important, and Dan rests up by gardening, reading, and preparing for that next day’s cup of coffee.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | OSC Executive Director