Tag Archive for: Meet the Board

Photo of Dan Curry

Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Oregon State University Department of Crop and Soil Science Representative, Dan Curry 

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

Colin Scott Headshot

Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Oregon Fine Fescue Board Representative, Colin Scott 

ABOUT COLIN SCOTT

Colin Scott represents the Oregon Fine Fescue Commission on the Oregon Seed Council Board of Directors. Colin focuses on seed production and procurement as a field Agronomist for Scotts MiracleGro, which is headquartered in Marysville, Ohio.

ABOUT THE OREGON FINE FESCUE COMMISSION 

The Fine Fescue commission collects fees from pounds produced to put towards research and promotion of the species and the commissioners are responsible for making sure those funds get allocated correctly.

WHAT INTERESTS COLIN IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

When asked what interests Colin in the seed industry, he stated, “I started in the seed industry right out of high school and quickly got interested in it because of the variability you see year-to-year in crop challenges and successes.”

WHAT COLIN LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

When asked what he loves about the Oregon Seed Council, Colin said, “I think the Seed Council does a great job at keeping in tune with what is happening in the seed industry and helping farmers and companies find ways to improve from and fight those challenges.”

WHAT COLIN SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Colin says looking forward, the Oregon Seed Council will “continue to improve the benefits the Seed Council can bring to our farmers.”

WHAT COLIN WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY AND THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Colin wishes people knew, “growing seed is not as easy as it looks to the general public.”

 COLIN’S SERVICE TO THE SEED INDUSTRY

Colin began in the seed industry as a summer employee in research and development.

WHAT COLIN DOES OUTSIDE OF THE SEED INDUSTRY

When Colin isn’t busy with work and helping the Oregon Seed Council, he enjoys hunting and following Oregon State athletics.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Oregon Seed Council Executive Director

Oregon Seed Council Board Member Charles Ortiz

Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Oregon Meadowfoam Growers Association Cooperative Representative, Charles Ortiz

ABOUT CHARLES ORTIZ

Charles Ortiz is the Oregon Meadowfoam Growers Association (OMGA) Cooperative representative on the Oregon Seed Council Board of Directors. Charles is an OSC Past President, and serves on multiple OSC Committees. In addition, Charles chairs the OSC Scholarship Committee and contributes to the industry’s public relation efforts, by helping make OSC’s Exhibit at the Annual Oregon AgFest a great success.

ABOUT OREGON MEADOWFOAM GROWERS ASSOCIATION COOPERATIVE

OMGA Cooperative is a meadow farm seed production and vegetable oil production cooperative based in the Willamette Valley. OMGA formed Natural Plant Products, Inc. (NPP) as their marketing subsidiary. NPP markets Meadowfoam seed oil domestically and worldwide. OMGA consists of almost 50 member farms all dedicated to the sound production of meadowfoam and daikon radish seeds.

WHAT INTERESTS CHARLES IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

When asked what interests Charles in the seed industry, he says he most enjoys “helping farmers.” Charles’ interest in volunteerism and supporting farmers shows. He is heavily engaged in policy discussions and helping the next generations learn about the importance of agriculture.

WHAT DOES CHARLES LOVE ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

When asking Charles what he loves about the Oregon Seed Council, Charles says that he loves the “sense of cooperation” it brings to the industry.

WHAT CHARLES SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

In the Oregon Seed Council’s future, Charles sees a “continued success being an industry problem solving leader.” 

WHAT CHARLES WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY AND THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

When asked what Charles wishes people knew about the Oregon Seed Council and Oregon seed industry, Charles wishes people knew “how hard the Oregon Seed Council and the seed industry as a whole work to find solutions for seed industry problems.”

HOW CHARLES GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

Charles got an early start in the agricultural industry through moving irrigation pipes as a youth, which led him to to love and learn more about the industry and lead him to where he is now.

WHAT CHARLES DOES OUTSIDE OF THE SEED INDUSTRY

When not working, Charles can be found gardening. 

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Oregon Seed Council Executive Director

OSC Board Member and Tee-2-Green Representative Terry Plagmann

Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Tee-2-Green Representative, Terry Plagmann

ABOUT TERRY PLAGMANN

Terry Plagmann serves on the Oregon Seed Council Board of Directors as the representative for Tee-2-Green Corp. Terry serves as President of Tee-2-Green, a grower-owned seed company, created in 1973 for the purpose of raising and marketing several varieties of creeping bentgrass with distribution worldwide to the golf industry. Tee-2-Green is located in Canby, OR.

ABOUT TEE-2-GREEN

Tee-2-Green is a grower-owned company and the exclusive marketer of industry-leading bentgrasses for golf course greens, tees and fairways, including the revolutionary Penn’s and Pure’s high-performance varieties. Their other bentgrass varieties include Penncross (the world’s best-selling bentgrass), Penn A-1 & A-4, Crystal BlueLinks, Pure Distinction, Pure Select and more. These products each uniquely help create championship conditions and legendary courses around the world.

Penn State University developed and released the first seeded Penn bentgrass, Penncross, in the 1950s. Since then, it has become the world’s leading bentgrass variety. With the guidance of Dr. Joseph Duich, Penn State continued to produce many other successful and revolutionary bentgrass varieties. These varieties continue to be the standard in the golf course industry.

In the 1960s, Penn State University declared Penncross a proprietary or “private” variety to discourage “unauthorized” sale of the product. Through a formal agreement, Penn State authorized the Penncross Bentgrass Growers Association of Oregon to produce and market the bentgrass. The association created the brand name Tee-2-Green and ensured that all Penn bents sold under that name would be certified.

Tee-2-Green has taken great steps to ensure that all of the Penn Bents developed by Dr. Joe Duich at Penn State University and the Pure Bents developed by Pure Seed are covered under the Plant Variety Protection Act. In addition, Tee-2-Green guarantees that bentgrass cultivars may only be sold as certified seed. By taking these steps, Tee-2-Green made sure to preserve the legacy of Dr. Duich and uphold the celebrated reputation of our bentgrass varieties with turf professionals around the world.

Penncross has now been replaced with the PC 2.0 variety after 60 years of Penncross being the top variety.

WHAT INTERESTS TERRY IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

When asked what interests Terry in the seed industry, he said “all phases of growing and marketing grass seed interest me.”

WHAT TERRY LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Terry said he most enjoys “the opportunity to keep current with all things pertaining to seed production” through the Oregon Seed Council.  

WHAT TERRY SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

On the Board, Terry is a strong advocate for integration of new, and efficient technology. In the future, Terry says he sees “more advancements in technology for better productivity,” utilized by the Board, and the industry overall.

WHAT TERRY WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY AND THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Terry wishes people knew “just how diverse the industry is.”

HOW TERRY GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

Deeply rooted in the seed industry, Terry is a fourth generation farmer in the Albany area. He and his family have grown most varieties of grass seed, along with other commodities.

WHAT TERRY DOES OUTSIDE OF THE SEED INDUSTRY

When not working or helping with the Oregon Seed Council, Terry enjoys rebuilding classic cars.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Oregon Seed Council Executive Director

Photo of OSC Board Member Rachel Hankins

Meet the Oregon Seed Council Second Vice President, Rachel Hankins

ABOUT RACHEL HANKINS

Rachel Hankins serves as the 2025-2026 Oregon Seed Council Second Vice President, representing the Oregon Seed Association on the Board. Rachel is the Grower Services Business Manager, Production at Barenbrug USA, a global leader in the seed industry committed to sustainably feeding the world and enhancing green spaces. Barenbrug USA contracts seed production across Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, and Wyoming, operating two seed cleaning facilities in Othello, Washington, as well as a packaging and coating facility located in Tangent, Oregon.

ABOUT THE OREGON SEED ASSOCIATION

The Oregon Seed Association is a non-profit agricultural trade association that has been serving the agricultural seed industry in Oregon for over 50 years. The mission of the Oregon Seed Association is to represent and promote the interests and importance of the Oregon seed industry, fostering cooperation and communication among members, suppliers, customers and regulators throughout the state, the nation, and the world.

WHAT INTERESTS RACHEL IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

Rachel is most interested in the seed production process and seed regulations.

WHAT RACHEL LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

As Second Vice President of the Oregon Seed Council, Rachel plays an important part in OSC’s operations. When asked what she loves about the Oregon Seed Council, Rachel commented, “I love the open and honest feedback of ideas. Each of the organizations we represent are diverse with different priorities, but we are all participating with a common goal.” The Oregon Seed Council members represent the Oregon seed industry in its entirety, from when the seed is planted until ultimately it makes it into the hands of the consumers.

WHAT RACHEL SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Looking into the future of the Oregon Seed Council, Rachel said, “I see OSC carrying on the legacy of serving the seed industry, but in new and improved ways. The increase in engagement with stakeholders over the past few years has been incredible.”

WHAT RACHEL WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY AND THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Rachel said she wishes that members of the Oregon seed industry knew “you don’t have to be on the OSC Board to participate in its committees. We are always looking for people who want to get involved. You won’t regret the experience!” 

HOW RACHEL GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

She grew up in the Lebanon area where her dad owned and operated a  small grass seed and sheep farm. She initially did not plan to work in agriculture, but in 2008, she found her way into a position at Oregon Seed Certification Service, and the rest was history. After making the jump to the private sector, she discovered a whole new side of the industry. As someone who always wants to be learning, the seed industry offers endless opportunities to keep expanding her knowledge.

WHAT RACHEL DOES OUTSIDE OF THE SEED INDUSTRY

When she’s not at work or helping with the Oregon Seed Council, Rachel can be found spending time with her family, working in the garden, traveling, and staying active.

Contributed by: Khloe Free | OSC Intern

Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Willamette Valley Specialty Seed Association Representative, Angie Smith

ABOUT ANGIE SMITH

Angie Smith is the executive director of the Willamette Valley Specialty Seed Association (WVSSA) and serves as the representative of the organization. Angie works at Pac/West Resources, a communications and government affairs firm in Tigard, Oregon. At Pac/West, she assists clients with a variety of needs including marketing and communications, as well as managing non-profit trade organizations.

 

ABOUT THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY SPECIALTY SEED ASSOCIATION 

WVSSA was founded to facilitate the growing of quality specialty seed in the counties of western Oregon that comprise the watershed of the Willamette River. The WVSSA Seed Quality Management Program includes the use of an electronic mapping system, and policies to isolate seed production fields of related species, or other crops with contamination potential, to maintain genetic purity.

 

WHAT INTERESTS ANGIE IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

When asked what interests her in the Oregon seed industry, Angie said, “the vast variety of crops that Oregon producers grow, and the science and technical nature required to do so. It is so much more than the average person understands agriculture to be.”

 

WHAT ANGIE LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

“The collaboration amongst council members on issues where members may not always see eye-to-eye, and the flow of information regarding the industry that may not exist without the organization,” Angie said.

 

WHAT ANGIE SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Angie says that she feels the organization is in a really good place. She sees the organization continuing to grow in the future with the actions being implemented now. 

“I see real growth in the organization with the new sponsored membership category, the improvement with lines of communication, and efforts to reach the general public through several social media channels. The organization was stagnant for many years, until Megan Chuinard was brought on. It is very obvious that she sincerely wants to improve the industry in a way that benefits everyone involved along the product chain – from growers, to researchers, to the companies that sell the seed and their customers, and everyone in between.” 

 

WHAT ANGIE WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY AND THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Angie said she wishes people knew “that this small, niche industry (specialty seeds) existed and that it is a huge contributor to the state’s overall economy. And how these crops are almost exclusively grown in our little valley and yet known worldwide for its quality.”

 

HOW ANGIE GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

Pac/West was retained as the lobbyist for another seed association, then to manage its organization. A board member of both organizations, Greg Loberg, formerly of WCBSC, suggested Pac/West be hired when WVSSA was looking to transition from a volunteer-run organization to hiring a professional administrator.

 

WHAT ANGIE DOES OUTSIDE OF THE SEED INDUSTRY

When she’s not at work or helping the Oregon Seed Council with public relations efforts, Angie enjoys baking homemade, custom-decorated cakes and cupcakes, as well as cookies and specializes in gluten-free. Baking is Angie’s love language and it makes her happy to bake things for others.

 

Contributed by: Khloe Free | Oregon Seed Council Intern



Contact

(503) 585-1157
info@oregonseedcouncil.org

© Copyright - Oregon Seed Council