Ames, Iowa, USA
May 4, 2026
The Iowa State University (ISU) Seed Science Center (SSC) is hosting a delegation of 16 Ukrainian seed company representatives for a two-week business-to-business study tour across the United States, May 2–16, 2026.
The Iowa State University (ISU) Seed Science Center (SSC) is hosting a delegation of 16 Ukrainian seed company representatives for a two-week business-to-business study tour across the United States, May 2–16, 2026. The visit, part of the Agricultural Growing Rural Opportunities in Ukraine (AGRO) Activity, brings participants to 18 U.S. seed companies and seed-related organizations across six states to strengthen collaboration and technical expertise in the global seed sector.
The tour, organized and led by ISU-SSC, is designed to expose participants to advanced U.S. seed production, testing, and certification systems through hands-on site visits, laboratory tours, and workshops. The delegation is accompanied by two translators, one traveling from Kyiv and another based on the Iowa State campus, to support knowledge exchange throughout the program.
“This initiative is about cooperation and helping stabilize Ukraine’s seed sector at a critical time,” said Dr. Scott Heuchelin, director of the Seed Science Center. “We are working with Ukraine to better develop their seed sector, from genetics to testing, ensuring seed quality, and strengthening regulatory systems. All of these elements are essential to moving seed effectively and supporting farmers and export markets.”
Ukraine, often referred to as a global “breadbasket,” has faced significant disruptions to its agricultural systems due to ongoing conflict. The study tour aims to address these challenges by strengthening technical capacity in seed processing, conditioning, and health testing, critical components in rebuilding the country’s seed value chain.
“There were already efforts to develop Ukraine’s seed sector prior to the war, but the conflict has made that work much more difficult,” Heuchelin said. “By helping strengthen their seed systems, we are supporting their agricultural productivity, which in turn supports economic recovery and food security.”
A key component of the partnership is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Iowa State University and Ukrainian partners. The agreement formalizes collaboration and establishes a foundation for ongoing cooperation in research, training, and seed system development.
“The MOU makes our relationship official and sets the groundwork for continued collaboration,” Heuchelin said. “It ensures we can keep building this partnership and supporting Ukraine’s seed sector long-term.”
Left to right: Oleksandr Valebnyi, Project Coordinator for Seed Centers at UAC; Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Associate Provost for Academic Programs; Francis Owusu, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Global Engagement; Dr. Scott Heuchelin, Director of Seed Science Center, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a foundation for ongoing cooperation in research, training, and seed system development.
Participants will also work to develop actionable plans to establish and manage four new Regional Seed Centers in Ukraine, an important step toward strengthening national infrastructure and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Dr. Lulu Rodriguez, Global Programs Lead at the Seed Science Center, emphasized the broader impact of the visit. “This exchange is about more than technical training; it’s about building lasting relationships and creating pathways for innovation and resilience,” Rodriguez said. “By connecting Ukrainian seed leaders with U.S. companies and researchers, we are helping lay the groundwork for a stronger, more secure agricultural future.”
The delegation, hosted under the AGRO Activity, was implemented by Chemonics International with support from the U.S. Department of State. The program reflects a shared commitment to advancing global food security and supporting Ukraine’s recovery through agricultural development.
“This work is deeply meaningful,” Heuchelin added. “We are proud to contribute in a way that supports Ukraine during a challenging time and builds on the Seed Science Center’s long history of global engagement.”
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