Seed inspectors with Montana Department of Ag help maintain industry quality

Being a seed inspector, also known as an agricultural scientist, with the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) requires a certain set of skills, according to Ed Evanson, MDA Commodity Services Bureau Chief.

“These positions are best suited for people who have an attention to detail, are process oriented, and who are comfortable working within and outside of an office setting,” he explained. “They are good with technology and can work with people through complex topics.”

Inspectors help the department meet its objective in the seed industry, which includes ensuring truth in labeling for identity, purity, and viability.

“We do this by licensing seed dealers within the state and conducting complaint investigations, inspections, and sampling of seed,” Evanson explained. 

A wide variety of seeds grown for sale in Montana require licensure as a seed dealer, including grass seed, forage and cereal seed, lawn seed and fiber crop seed.

Those interested in working for the department as an inspector will need a four-year college degree in the field of animal science, plant science, agricultural science or environmental science.

A degree in a closely related field is also preferred, but other combinations of education or experience may be substituted, Evanson noted.

Inspectors are located within MDA’s eight regional offices in Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, Conrad, Great Falls, Glasgow, Forsyth and Billings. Base pay for the Agricultural Scientist II position is $32.55 per hour.

Being willing to travel to farm sites for inspections is an important part of the job.

“Travel within the regions for inspections, sampling, and complaint investigation is an important component of the job,” Evanson related. “Field staff also travel outside of their regions for trainings and meetings. “

The importance of these inspectors in Montana relates to making sure seeds grown in the state can be trusted by customers.

“The department and our inspectors act as an unbiased third party to actively verify that seed sold in Montana is within acceptable tolerances for purity, germination, noxious weed seeds, restricted weed seeds, total weed seed and seeds from other crops,” Evanson said. “Deviations outside of acceptable tolerance levels initiate enforcement actions to ensure proper resolution.

“Although most seed dealers are doing their best to provide high-quality seed, some bad actors could try to pass off a less expensive seed type as a more expensive one,” he added. 

An example of deceiving customers within the seed growing and selling industry could be a dealer labeling a seed as certified seed when it is not in fact certified.

“This would be mislabeling and could result in a civil penalty. Without inspectors’ enforcement, investigation of such a penalty would be challenging,” he said. “Truth in labeling provides protections for farmers and the seed industry.”