Seneca Vegetable Research, perhaps the youngest seed breeding company out there, is an example for all of us. Just do it. It’s never too late. Seneca is a small family-run organization, started by Dr. Walt, as Tim’s father Walter Whitwood is known, who earned a PhD in seed breeding from Iowa State and worked in the industry breeding sweet corn and summer squash for many years before purchasing what was once the Robson Research Farm in Hall, NY in 2001. In the short time Seneca Vegetable Research has existed it has introduced several hit products now widely available on the retail market, including ‘Allure’ sweet corn, ‘Blanco’ pumpkin, and ‘Sugar Cube’ melon. The company, i.e. the family, takes pride in using traditional breeding methods. “Our high tech scientific work consists of paper bags, paring knives, and twist ties,” reads the website.

Tim Whitwood, Global Director of Marketing and Sales, is the public face of the wholesale seed breeding company. “Every summer from the age of 11 on, I did pollinating work,” he recalls. After attaining a degree in biochemistry, he did breeding and marketing work with the Crookham Company and other top industry companies, and joined the family business in 2012. Tim’s brother Pat, who was involved with the company from its start, is engaged in all aspects of the breeding operation. He is also the go-to-person when a tractor needs repair. Walt, owner and founder of Seneca Vegetable Research, works the books and manages the business end. With a full-time staff of five, the three of them plus two technicians, cooperation is essential. “The truth is we all do everything,” Tim emphasizes. There’s absolute respect between everyone, and at the same time, an element of healthy competition to keep things interesting.” 

“Another part of our business is the 40-acre trial site we maintain, ” explains Tim. The staff increases to 15 during the busy growing season, and the trialing culminates in late August, with an annual field day event. Around 150 seed company reps and growers from near and far come together to see how products developed by multiple growers perform in the rugged conditions of the Finger Lakes region. He describes the field day as a gathering of friends. “We put up a big tent. This gives dealers and breeders an opportunity to come together over a catered lunch sponsored by one of the participants.” 

Central to the family’s business model is the region they live in. Tim clearly loves the Seneca Lake area—the boating, scuba diving and fishing offered by the 38 mile lake with a maximum depth of over 600 feet, the relatively nearby ski resorts, the famed wine trail. And the cool summers and snowy winters, Tim believes, are a plus when it comes to breeding adaptibility. “In this region, if a weed can grow, it will grow,” he says. “And if a crop doesn’t work in our conditions we simply won’t continue to work with it.” This makes the Hall, NY trials and the company’s products particularly advantageous to regional growers, and in fact to any seed breeders and sellers that promote adaptible products.  

“We enjoy being out in the sunshine.” Tim speaks for the entire family when he says this, not just the three principals at the business. His young son loves being at the farm and his mother sells flower bouquets at local farmers’ markets. Family and business are, by necessity and by preference, bound together. “At work we’re breeders, farmers, global salesmen, mechanics, and janitors.“ And on those rare occasions when there’s free time, what do they do? Spend it with family.