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Artwork for State of Seed

State of Seed

Foreign Policy
Climate Change
Food Security
Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Seed Access
Seed Banks
Counterfeit Seeds
Global Food Security
Crop Diversity
International Cooperation
Seed Trade
Agriculture
Smallholder Farmers
Seeds For Food Coalition
Plant Genetic Resources
Agricultural Biodiversity
Farmer-Led Research
Cary Fowler
World Seed Congress
International Treaty On Plant Genetic Resources For Food and Agriculture
Gene Editing

On State of Seed, you’ll find out how seeds feed and sustain the planet. Though more than half of what we eat comes from seeds, most of us know very little about them—and how the sector contributes to our world and the future of food security. Host Laura Rosbrow-Telem talks to the innovative players advancing this vital resource, including leaders of multinational companies and NGOs, UN and govern... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes14Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Earth SciencesNatureScience

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Artwork for State of Seed

Latest Episodes

What is the current state of gene editing for crops in the world and how could they address critical food security challenges? In this final episode of the season, we learn about the latest innovations in this new breakthrough area of plant breeding.... more

How are farmers coping with the shocks of 2026? In this episode, we explore how farmers are faring across the world and how we can ensure that high quality seeds reach those who need them most.

First, we visit farmers in Portugal and speak with a nu... more

How is our increasingly fragmented world impacting access to seeds? In Season 3 of State of Seed, we talk to seed company executives, government officials, leaders from multinational organizations, and farmers about how they are grappling with this g... more

In the newest season of State of Seed, launching Friday, we examine how our increasingly fragmented world is impacting access to seeds. Recorded at the World Seed Congress in Lisbon, host Laura Rosbrow-Telem talks to farmers and leaders from seed com... more

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Recent Guests

Petra Jorasch
Representative of Euroseeds, a non-profit representing the European seed sector
Euroseeds
Episode: Gene Editing and Seeds
Eyal Maori
CTO and co-founder
Tropic
Episode: Gene Editing and Seeds
Simona Radutuiou
Plant biology professor
Aarhus University (Denmark)
Episode: Gene Editing and Seeds
Nandini Krishnamurthy
Biotechnology portfolio leader
Corteva
Episode: Gene Editing and Seeds
Maximo Torero-Callen
Chief Economist, FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Episode: The State of Farmers
Mark Watne
Former head of the North Dakota Farmers Union
World Farmers Organization (as representative)
Episode: The State of Farmers
Leah Salvaleon
Smallholder vegetable farmer, Bukidnon
Bukidnon PhilGAP Farmers Association
Episode: The State of Farmers
Maaike Groot
Representative from East-West Seed
East-West Seed
Episode: The State of Farmers
Evelyn Lusenaka
Representative from AGRA
AGRA
Episode: The State of Farmers

Host

Laura Rosbrow-Telem
Host of State of Seed

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 24 ratings
  • Informative deep dive into an important yet little-known topic

    We all have assumptions about the seed industry and seed companies, whether good or bad. I think this podcast shows the nuances in the discussions — the complexities, yes, but also the clear paths forward. Highly recommended for ag/food experts and everyone who cares about seeds!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Foodies456!
    Spaina year ago
  • State of Seed

    This podcast was so interesting and informative. And startling. Who knew that 2/3 of those around the world with food insecurity were actually farmers who cannot make a decent living? Laura Rosbrow Telem takes the audience through a good introduction to how seeds play an enormous role in feeding and sustaining our planet. I will definitely listen to the full series of episodes. Thank you.

    Episode 2 was interesting in describing why modifying seeds is important, different methods of doing that w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Womencandoit
    United States2 years ago
  • Informative podcast about something most take for granted

    The podcast dives deep into the world of seeds and offers an informative yet accessible overview of the politics and economics of the seed business. We take for granted that farmers plant seeds to grow food, but don’t realize that so many things have to go into that seed (and soil) to make sure farmers successfully grow crops that can withstand diseases, climate shocks and hopefully everything else that can go wrong. Great narration!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    atcad
    Switzerland2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality guests and practical insights for industry professionals
Global perspectives on seed systems make complex topics accessible
Clear, data-driven discussions that bridge science and policy
Engaging narratives around how seeds influence food security and livelihoods

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The State of Farmers
Q: What are the immediate impacts of rising input costs on farmers around the world?
Farmers are cutting inputs, shifting to crops that require less nitrogen-based fertilizer, and seeking financial tools or policy support to remain solvent, with visible effects on profitability and investment in the near term.
How Seed Trade Officials Are Navigating 2025
Q: What's on your agenda for the rest of the year?
It will be dedicated to WTO reform discussions to ensure that global food security does not become a casualty of current trade tensions.
How Seed Trade Officials Are Navigating 2025
Q: So why is seed trade so important to global food security?
The seed industry is extremely global and plays a crucial role in ensuring food where it can be produced most efficiently.
How Seed Trade Officials Are Navigating 2025
Q: How's 2025 been going for the American Seed Trade Association?
We've been managing to stay positive and we've got a lot of really exciting activities going on here at the Congress.
How Cary Fowler Co-Founded the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Q: How did you convince Norway to fund the Svalbard project?
I laid out a feasibility study and explained the importance of conserving crop diversity, which led to Norway's tentative approval pending funding from various ministries.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About State of Seed

What is State of Seed about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently covers how seeds shape global food security, touching on policy, economics, science, and practical farming. Episodes thread together regulatory landscapes, public–private partnerships, and new technologies—from gene editing and seed coatings to sustainable inputs—while centering farmer realities and market dynamics. A distinctive angle is the blend of high-level policy insight with on‑the‑ground implications for growers, seed companies, and development actors, making it useful for listeners who want to understand both macro trends and tangible outcomes in seed systems.

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How many listeners does State of Seed get?

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Which podcasts are similar to State of Seed?

These podcasts share a similar audience with State of Seed:

1. Real Organic Podcast
2. The Catch
3. Out of the Fire with Alison Ball
4. The Market Gardener Podcast
5. Ones and Tooze

How many episodes of State of Seed are there?

State of Seed launched 2 years ago and published 14 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact State of Seed?

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What guests have appeared on State of Seed?

Recent guests on State of Seed include:

1. Petra Jorasch
2. Eyal Maori
3. Simona Radutuiou
4. Nandini Krishnamurthy
5. Maximo Torero-Callen
6. Mark Watne
7. Leah Salvaleon
8. Maaike Groot

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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