Tag Archive for: oregon seed council

osc executive director megan chuinard

Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Executive Director Megan Chuinard

Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Executive Director Megan Chuinard

 

ABOUT MEGAN

 

Megan owns and operates MAC Consulting LLC, a consulting business that helps wonderful clients, like the Oregon Seed Council with association management, public relations, government affairs, and advocacy.

 

Megan serves as the Oregon Seed Council Executive Director and began her work with the Oregon Seed Council in May of 2023.

 

WHAT INTERESTS MEGAN ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY

Megan said that she is so fortunate to work with the Oregon Seed Council, its members, and its member organizations. The Oregon seed industry is so unique, and the members represent the entire production process of the seed industry – from when the seed is bred, to planted, to harvested, until ultimately, when it makes it into the hands of the consumer.

 

She said, “The people in this industry are truly exceptional. There’s a strong community of industry members who truly put care into all they do. Every step along the way, our members have helped me learn more and more about the ins and outs of industry and how the whole of industry works together to create a sustainable product, care for the land, and build strong local economies.”

 

WHEN ASKED WHAT MEGAN LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

She loves that the Oregon Seed Council brings together organizations from each section of the industry to have meaningful conversation, build consensus, and act on things that matter for all of industry. The Oregon Seed Council looks at the whole industry picture, working collaboratively to solve problems and promote what the industry does.

 

WHAT MEGAN SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF OREGON SEED COUNCIL

The Oregon Seed Council has undergone a strategic planning process and is working to build an organization that supports the changing needs of industry into the future. “I’m excited to see how we can reach Oregonians and help promote the benefits of the seed industry for the environment, health and wellness of people around the globe, and support the economy,” she said.

 

WHAT MEGAN WISHES THE PUBLIC KNEW ABOUT THE OREGON SEED INDUSTRY

“I wish the public knew more about the environmental benefits the seed industry brings to our state and regions that use our products. Not only does this industry keeps jobs in our state, bolsters our economy, our exemplary seed provides health benefits to athletes and recreationists that use natural turf as well as environmental benefits including cooling, preventing soil erosion and supporting overall soil health, and carbon sequestration.”

 

HOW MEGAN GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

She said, “I’ve always had an interest in agriculture and natural resources. In the early years of my career, I spent time working in natural resource policy and have met some remarkable people along the way. I am so fortunate to be able to continue to serve this industry!”

 

WHAT MEGAN DOES OUTSIDE OF WORK

When Megan gets some free time, she loves traveling, running, reading, and adventuring in and around our beautiful state.

 

She also loves playing with her pups, Jax, a senior corgi mix – who she adopted when he was 3 years old (he’s now close to 12) and is the most resilient tripawd; and Porter, her 1-year-old corgi, who is exceptional at herding (humans).

Meet OSC Scholarship Recipient: Brooke Glaser

Annually, the Oregon Seed Council recognizes three exceptional students for its scholarship program. This year, the Oregon Seed Council had 18 students apply and is pleased to announce one of three recipients of this year’s award: Brooke Glaser.

MEET BROOKE

Brooke Glaser is a fifth-generation farmer on her family’s grass seed and specialty seed farm. 

Currently, Brooke is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Entrepreneurship and a Pre-Law minor at Eastern Oregon University. 

Because of her passion for agriculture, she is excited to advocate for the industry in her future career.

The Oregon Seed Council is pleased to award Brooke with the 2025 Oregon Seed Council Scholarship.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Executive Director



Meet OSC Scholarship Recipient: Kailee Macy

Annually, the Oregon Seed Council recognizes three exceptional students for its scholarship program. This year, the Oregon Seed Council had 18 students apply and is pleased to announce one of three recipients of this year’s award: Kailee Macy.

MEET KAILEE

Kailee Macy is from Culver, Oregon. She will be entering my sophomore year at Oklahoma State University this fall and is majoring in Agricultural Communications with a minor in agronomy. 

Kailee is fourth generation on her family’s farm and a seventh generation Oregon agriculturalist. 

On her family’s farm, they produce seed potatoes, carrot seed, grass seed, mint for tea leaf, parsley seed, and wheat. 

She hopes to help increase agricultural literacy among the general public and wants to advocate for agriculture. She hopes my impact will make it so consumers know the implications of their actions at both the supermarket and the ballot box to the agricultural industry. 

The Oregon Seed Council is pleased to award Kailee with the 2025 Oregon Seed Council Scholarship.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Executive Director



Meet OSC Scholarship Recipient: Tegan Macy

Annually, the Oregon Seed Council recognizes three exceptional students for its scholarship program. This year, the Oregon Seed Council had 18 students apply and is pleased to announce one of three recipients of this year’s award: Tegan Macy.

MEET TEGAN

Tegan is a senior at the University of Idaho in the fall of 2025. She is majoring in crop science and will receive a minor in animal science. 

She grew up working on her family’s farm, Macy Farms, which produces a variety of specialty crops including seed potatoes, carrot seed, Kentucky bluegrass seed, perennial ryegrass seed, parsley seed, and peppermint for tea leaf. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she plans to return to Macy Farms.

In college, she has served as a member of the soil judging team and had the opportunity to compete in seven states, and at the 2025 National Collegiate Soil Judging Competition where the University of Idaho received first place as a team. 

She is also an Ambassador for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and served as the treasurer of the Student Idaho Cattle Association last year. During the summers Tegan works on Macy Farms where she irrigates, operates equipment, completes equipment maintenance jobs, and serves as the farm’s main swather operator.

The Oregon Seed Council is pleased to award Tegan with the 2025 Oregon Seed Council Scholarship.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Executive Director



OREGON SEED COUNCIL WINS PRESTIGIOUS OREGON CONSULAR CORPS AWARD

Read more
alex duerst

Meet the Oregon Seed Council: President Alex Duerst

Alex currently serves as Oregon Seed Council’s president.

 

ABOUT ALEX

Alex works at Ioka Farms in Silverton, Oregon. Ioka Farms is a vertically integrated, multi-generational, family-owned and operated farm, specializing in grass seed production, processing, and distribution.

 

Some Ioka Farms’ production crops include fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, meadowfoam, oats, wheat, forage brassicas, and hazelnuts.

 

WHAT INTERESTS ALEX IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

“I have been interested in grass seed production and farming in general since I was a small boy. Growing up on the farm, I had many opportunities to come to work with my dad. I think that exposure at a young age really steered my career choice. I also love what I do. The varying tasks going on all year really make grass seed production something that never gets boring or monotonous.”

 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Alex says that he loves that his family has a long history of being involved with the Oregon Seed Council. He stated, “I am glad to continue that tradition with myself now being an active member of the organization. The Seed Council is a very important aspect of the grass seed industry. I like how it provides a place for information to be shared amongst industry stakeholders.”

 

WHAT ALEX SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Alex says that having a new executive director has given the Oregon Seed Council a bright future with many new opportunities ahead.

 

“Committees have been revitalized and the overall function of the Board seems to be improved in a short amount of time. I would like to see the Oregon Seed Council in the coming years be a more widely recognized name with the public. I think we’re heading in the right direction to reach that goal.”

 

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

“Seed producers care about the environment and are good stewards of the land. That the seed industry has a larger impact on the Oregon economy than most may realize.”

 

SERVICE TO THE SEED INDUSTRY

In addition to serving as the Oregon Seed Council President, Alex served on the Oregon Tall Fescue Commission from 2007-2013, Oregon Ryegrass Commission from 2017-2023, and the Oregon Seed Growers League Board from 2014 to present.

 

Contributed by: Mandy Vanderpool, Oregon Seed Council Intern

Contact

(503) 585-1157
info@oregonseedcouncil.org

© Copyright - Oregon Seed Council