Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Education:

What inspired you to be a vegetable breeder?

I’ve always been very interested in working with living things, particularly plants and insects. Growing up, my parents taught us about the natural world and encouraged curiosity and creativity. I studied entomology during my masters and through that was introduced to the agricultural sciences. I became interested in plant breeding as a way to work on something very applied, while still being able to study what first drew me to science, biology and understanding how living things fit together.

What’s the best/your favorite part of your job?

I enjoy the creativity of plant breeding. Making and evaluating new hybrids is the best part of my job.

What specifically do you like about Sakata Seed America?

Sakata has a close-knit and supportive atmosphere that makes it a great place to work.

Can you tell us something that not everyone knows about you?

I’m a hobbyist entomologist and enjoy collecting and rearing insects.

Education
M.S. – Plant Breeding, Iowa State University
B.S. – Agronomy, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Years of Service at Sakata: 2012 to Present

Currently Breeding:  Baby Leaf Beet and Swiss Chard

Jenna, what led you to decide to become a vegetable breeder?

Since growing up on my family’s farm in Minnesota I have always been drawn to agriculture. After a trip to Central America in college I realized there was so much more to the world’s agriculture than corn and soybeans and I set out to learn about it. Vegetable breeding is a great way to see what and how people grow things all over the world.

What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of my job as a plant breeder is the amount of creativity I get to employ to solve problems. The best part of my job at Sakata is the people I get to work with on a daily basis.

Sakata recently celebrated 40 years of business in NAFTA – Do you have anything special you’d like to say about Sakata?

Sakata’s entrepreneurial spirit makes it a place that fosters people to build innovation. Combining that with Sakata’s emphasis on philanthropy makes this a company I am proud to work for.

Briefly, can you tell us something that not everyone knows about you!

I’m pretty fluent in German from spending a year in Cologne when I was in college.

Education:

M.S. - Plant Breeding, Iowa State University
B.S. – Plant Biotechnology, UC Davis
B.A. - Comparative Literature, UC Davis
Postgraduate Certificate - Plant Breeding Academy, UC Davis

Years of Service at Sakata: 2007 to Present

Currently Breeding: Radish and Collard

=Naoki, why did you decide to become a vegetable breeder?

I didn’t decide to become a vegetable breeder until I became one! As a new breeder, I had opportunities to expand our existing programs to better suit our company’s growing needs. It has been an exhilarating experience, and I am officially hooked.

What’s the best part of your job?

Vegetable breeding is never boring. I plan and plant nurseries, apply pesticides, pollinate and harvest. I also travel, evaluate trials, and talk with growers, seed dealers as well as sales and production. I try to make varieties that everyone will be happy with. It is an ongoing process. The many facets of this job drive me crazy sometimes, but I love what I do.

Recently Sakata celebrated 40 years of business in NAFTA - Do you have anything special you’d like to say about Sakata?

Sakata is a fun place to work. Everyone has a lot of work to do, and yet they are more than willing to help if we need it. It is a kind of workplace that I feel safe in and I appreciate the support given to me by my colleagues.

Briefly, can you tell us something that not everyone knows about you!

I have a license as a Pest Control Advisor in California. I help with pesticide related decisions and safety programs in Salinas.