Kim North, seed analyst with the Seed Science Center, is the recipient of the 2023 Merit Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. She serves as the germination lab manager and smoothly juggles a staff that includes 10-12 students and several temporary employees. It is critical that seed companies, farmers and researchers get testing information about their seed lots in a timely manner. North is the primary organizer of what gets planted each day. This is no small feat as the Seed Science Center tests 300 different types of seeds for more than 350 different pathogens. A colleague states, “The Iowa State University Seed Lab has a critical mission to provide accurate and timely seed testing for facilitating the commerce of seed domestically and internationally. Kim’s work is vital for achieving this mission.”
North is knowledgeable in many areas of seed testing, but is noted as an industry expert in conducting the tetrazolium test. She has taught this procedure to students and in workshops for people in the seed industry. In terms of extension and outreach in the area of seed quality testing, she stands out as one who inspires others to see the joy of working with seeds and seedlings. On several occasions, students she has worked with have chosen a career path in seed testing, due in no small part to her encouragement.