The following piece is from our sister publication, Seed World.
The seed industry has always been a family business for Greg Stamp, seed sales manager for Stamp Seeds in Enchant, Alta. Though he’s only been involved for 16 years, his family’s company has been up and running for 38 years now. But, in addition to working on the family business, they maintain a family farm as well with brothers Matthew and Nathan.
Though, his passion still lies with the seed industry in Alberta, where he notes things are done a little differently.
“Seed in Western Canada is fairly unique because we connect the production, processing and retail sale within one entity, allowing us to be flexible, as well as manage quality and timelines,” Stamp, one of Seed World’s Top 10 Next Gen Leaders, says. “Some areas have a lot of planning and predictability, while others have very little, and a lot of seed is grown on spec.”
The biggest thing he’s been able to bring to his family’s operation? Better and new social media use and new ways to connect with customers. The biggest success he’s found are farm trials and demonstrations with customers and on farm research. The farming side of the business implemented cloud traceability and sales software as well as farming traceability recordkeeping and tracking software.
“The key for us was, we were facing the same challenges as our customers — so these helped us understand what our customers needed and gain reputation and trust,” he says.
As he continues in his own career, though, he notes that getting active and involved with the industry has helped expand his skills.
“Farm industry groups, boards and commissions really helped me grow and learn while also contributing to the ag industry and helping direct it,” Stamp says. “I also tried to attend many conferences and events to learn about the industry but what I see now is the learning and visiting between the speakers is just as important.”
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