03/05/2026
Instructor Spotlight : Jim Schweigert
His story is anything but ordinary!
Introducing Jim Schweigert, the newest adjunct instructor in the Seed Technology & Business (STB) graduate program at the Seed Science Center! Jim brings a unique blend of real-world experience and lifelong learning to the classroom.
Jim grew up immersed in the seed industry; his familys company, Gro Alliance, was founded in 1941 as a small farm venture and has evolved over more than 80 years into a thriving seed services enterprise. Jim describes it as an “80-plus-year-old startup,” symbolizing both its legacy and continuous innovation.
Although his degree was in public relations, Jim realized that to grow beyond his own business experience, he needed broader industry insight. Pursuing graduate study in the STB program gave him “a much broader view” of seed markets, business models, and the global seed ecosystem.
Jim encourages students to embrace layered education, combining hands-on industry experience with strategic study. He believes education becomes most powerful when it connects directly to real-world challenges and leadership opportunities within the seed industry.
Whether talking about agility in business, long-term vision, or understanding how small companies compete and collaborate with global players, Jim’s insights reflect decades of experience and a forward-looking mindset he’s excited to bring to STB students.
👉 Stay tuned as Jim helps shape the next generation of seed industry leaders!
https://www.seeds.iastate.edu/news/2026/80-year-old-startup-new-stb-instructor-jim-schweigert-education-agility-and-thriving
