Behind the packet: The hidden world of hybrid seeds

Date: October 8, 2025. Speakers: Dr. Adrienne Shelton (Enza Zaden) and Dr. Jason Cavatorta (Earthworks Seeds, LLC). Photo credit: Bangladeshi farmer works on tomato plants: this photo was captured at a Tomato Hybrid Seed Production Plot as a tribal woman emasculates tomato plant flowers for crossing. This photo was taken in Bashon, Bangladesh by Md. Shafiqul Islam Shafiq.

Description: It may be that many growers don’t think deeply about the seeds we plant—but behind each packet lies a complex web of decisions, relationships, and global infrastructure. This conversation dives into the world of hybrid seed production, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how hybrid seeds are grown, who produces them, and what that means for farmers, biodiversity, and seed sovereignty.

Hybrid seeds can offer significant benefits, especially in certain farming contexts. But they’re also part of a broader system that relies on intensive labour, specialized technologies, and globalized supply chains. We'll explore how these seeds are produced—from hand pollination in crops like squash, peppers, and tomatoes, to the increasing use of genetic tools—and why much of this work is concentrated in specific regions of the world. This webinar is an invitation to think more critically and curiously about the origins of our hybrid seed and what a more transparent, just, and regionally resilient seed system could look like.

This webinar features Adrienne Shelton of Enza Zaden, who brings expertise from her work with one of the world’s leading vegetable seed companies, and Jason Cavatorta, Plant Breeder and Research Director at EarthWork Seeds, LLC, where he develops high-yielding, flavourful varieties with strong disease resistance and adaptability, with a focus on solanaceous and cucurbit crops. Together, they’ll share insights from their experiences in hybrid seed breeding and production, offering participants a rare look into the decisions, practices, and global networks that shape the seeds we grow.