Need for Seed: From Little Things, Big Things Grow

Vegetables are an essential for all of us. But it’s easy to forget that the big, bright and beautiful produce which fills our shopping bags, all starts with a tiny seed. The key to growing veggies all year round in different climates comes back to genetics. It’s the kind of science that gives cauliflowers UV protection or even turns them orange or purple.

Plant scientist, Eliza Seymour develops seeds to suit every climate in Australia. She’s even transplanted herself from Darwin to Melbourne to pursue her career in agronomy. For Eliza, everything in farming comes back to the seed.

“The seed is where it all starts,” she says with passion.

As an expert in vegetable genetics and seed breeding, Eliza knows that the right seed has the potential to shape an entire crop’s future. From improving flavour to enhancing disease resistance, the right genetics can make all the difference. Her job revolves around developing seeds that not only meet the needs of farmers but also improve the efficiency and sustainability of farming practices.

A blooming career

Eliza’s journey into agriculture wasn’t a traditional one.

“I didn’t come from an agricultural background,” she explains. Her fascination with plants began in high school, where she became “obsessed with plant science” and certainly stood out from the crowd.

“I didn’t realise everyone didn’t have this strange obsession like I did,” she laughs. This fascination led her to study plant science and accounting at university.

“I wasn’t entirely sure about a career in agriculture, so I thought I’d balance it out with accounting just in case,” she says, smiling at her decision.

“In hindsight, I probably should have gone for agribusiness instead of accounting, but it was a good balance. The plant science kids were pretty kooky, and accounting was very black and white.”

Despite her early uncertainty, Eliza has found a fulfilling career in the agricultural industry, having now spent five years immersed in seed breeding and plant genetics.

“I love being in this industry. There’s so much to learn, and every day brings something new,” she shares.

“I feel lucky to be in an industry where people are genuinely passionate and excited about what they do.” Although she didn’t grow up on a farm, Eliza quickly adapted to the rhythm of agricultural life.

“I feel like I’m an aggie person now,” she says, referring to herself as a proud member of the agricultural community.

Everyone’s been so welcoming, and it’s been great to see how intelligent and skilled farmers are in their work.

In her role, Eliza works closely with farmers, testing new varieties of crops in real-world conditions.

“It’s all about trial and error. When we test new seed varieties, we start small—sometimes just 50 plants—and track how they perform,” she explains. “Over time, as the data comes in, we decide whether to scale up. It might take two to three years before a variety is really ready for farmers to adopt it.”

It’s a process that demands patience, but the end result can mean improved yields and higher-quality produce. For instance, Eliza is involved in breeding crops like tomatoes and broccoli, both of which require careful selection.

“Farmers are always looking for new varieties that are resilient against diseases or pests. A lot of the work I do is focused on breeding plants with disease resistance built in,” she says.

Challenges constantly cropping up

One crop she’s particularly focused on is spinach, which faces challenges from downy mildew.

“Every year or two, a new race of this disease pops up, and it’s been evolving for decades,” Eliza explains. “The breeders have to keep up, constantly developing new varieties with resistance to the new strains of mildew that show up.”
In addition to breeding disease-resistant crops, Eliza’s work extends to improving the harvesting process.

“Broccoli is still hand-harvested in Australia, and it’s a labour-intensive process,” she explains. Broccoli plants grow with their heads sitting low to the ground, meaning workers must lean over to cut them.

“The stems are thick and strong, and most of the broccoli you see in stores is actually more stem than flower,” Eliza continues. “It’s a physically demanding job, with workers often hurting their backs from bending over for long periods.” To address this, Eliza is involved in developing a “high-rise” broccoli variety.

“We’re working on broccoli with longer stems, so the heads sit higher off the ground—around 50 centimetres rather than just 20 centimetres. This way, machines can harvest the crops more efficiently, and it will reduce the strain on the workers.” Though still in the trial phase, Eliza is excited about the potential for these changes. “It’s a game-changer for labour efficiency on farms, but like with all breeding work, it will take time to get it right.”

Insights on the internet

Beyond her work in the field, Eliza is passionate about educating the public on the science behind farming and seed breeding. Through her TikTok account, “Need for Seed,” and her Instagram, she shares insights into the vegetable world and the complexities of plant genetics.

“There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes in farming and seed breeding. People don’t realize how much science is involved in growing the food they eat,” she says.

“I love sharing that knowledge and showing people how fascinating agriculture can be. It’s not just about food—it’s about the science that makes that food possible.”

Her TikTok videos cover everything from cauliflower breeding to the processes farmers use to ensure quality crops. She’s built a platform that makes the complexities of agriculture accessible to everyday people.

“Consumers are becoming more interested in where their food comes from and how it’s produced. I think we’re starting to see more of a push for transparency in the food industry,” Eliza says.

That’s a huge opportunity to educate the public and show them the work that goes into producing food sustainably.”