Member Spotlight

Christian Drye

Bayer/Seminis Vegetable Seeds

Christian is the Desert Southwest Sales Representative of Bayer/Seminis Vegetable Seeds in the Desert Southwest.  He currently serves as the  President of the Seed Trade Association of Arizona (STAA).

Q-How long have you been in the agriculture industry?

I have spent 10 years in the ag industry professionally; but have been involved with ag on and off since my early high school years.

Q-How long have you lived in Arizona? Have you lived other places?

Most of my life was spent growing up around the Imperial County in California. However, I moved to Yuma permanently 8 years ago when I joined, at the time, Monsanto/Seminis as a Sales Representative. Since being here, I completed my MBA with an emphasis in Leadership, got Married to my beautiful wife Kailea, adopted our Chocolate Lab, Ruby, and welcomed our new baby boy, Branson.

Q-What is your favorite part of being a part of the seed industry?

In short, finding and/or creating solutions for my customers. It lights a fire under me when I see a problem or when someone tells me something can’t be done. I want to find a solution to get it done, period. This might be done through product offerings or simply just sourcing seed from another country to fill a niche demand. On top of that, the people are also my favorite part. Interacting with so many Dealers, Growers, and Shippers on a weekly basis has given meaning and value to what I do every day. It is why I still do what I started out doing 8 years ago.

Q-What is the most important thing you’ve learned in the past year?

That this season is unique to this season…and it was unique to last season and will be unique to next season. But even with that, I’ll sum it up with this quote I adopted 8 years ago…. “Agriculture is the most Healthful, most Useful, and most Noble employment of man” – George Washington.  So every year I learn that there is no place I’d rather be than right where I am, doing what I love doing.

Q-What is your favorite produce to eat?

Without a doubt, Sweetcorn! It is the worst for your allergies but the best for your taste buds. Nothing more satisfying than tearing an ear off and taking a bite right there in the field.