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Mode Transportation Keeps Oregon’s Seed Industry Moving

Moving seed across the country takes more than trucks and railcars. It takes trusted partnerships, creative problem-solving, and people who understand the unique needs of the industry. For the past decade, Mode Transportation has been proud to provide exactly that for members of the Oregon Seed Association.

Based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, Mode Transportation is a full-service third-party logistics company specializing in intermodal and rail transportation. While the company serves a wide range of industries, including lumber, food products, building products, and chemicals, grass seed remains one of its core specialties. By helping customers move freight efficiently throughout the United States, Mode delivers transportation solutions tailored to each shipment’s pricing, capacity, and timeline requirements.

Mode’s story began in 2012 when Larry Madison and Jim “Chico” Anderton were approached about joining Mode Transportation. After several conversations, the two formed a partnership, bringing together Larry’s operation and Jim’s established customer relationships. The business has remained family-oriented, with Jim’s sons Garrett Anderton and Braden Anderton joining the company in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Together, they continue the company’s commitment to exceptional service and long-term relationships.

For Mode Transportation, supporting the Oregon Seed Association has always been about more than business.

“The OSA is much more than a professional association. More than any other association we’re involved in, the OSA supports each other and its partners like friends. We feel as though we are true members of the OSA, supported and helped at every turn.”

That sense of community was especially meaningful this summer when Jim Anderton, Co-Owner of Mode Transportation, was recognized by being presented with the 2026 Oregon Seed Association Honorary Life Member Award during the association’s annual summer convention in Hood River. The award honors individuals whose dedication and service have made a lasting impact on Oregon’s seed industry. Jim’s decades of partnership, leadership, and commitment to the association make him a deserving recipient.

Like many companies in the transportation industry, Mode continues to navigate an ever-changing landscape. From evolving regulations to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the team remains focused on adapting while delivering dependable service to its customers. Their approach centers on staying connected with both customers and transportation partners to develop creative, efficient freight solutions regardless of changing market conditions.

Behind every shipment is a team committed to making the business successful. When asked who deserves recognition, Mode’s answer was simple: everyone.

“All of them! We appreciate everyone who contributes to making this business the best it can be.”

Outside the office, the company has no shortage of memorable stories. One favorite dates back to the beginning, when Jim was initially hesitant to join Mode Transportation. That changed rather quickly after the company offered him tickets to the 2012 Masters Tournament. It is proof that sometimes a love of golf, and pimento cheese sandwiches, can help launch a successful partnership.

As a Silver Sponsor and valued member for the past 10 years, Mode Transportation continues to play an important role in helping Oregon’s seed industry move forward, one shipment at a time.

To learn more or discuss transportation solutions, reach out to Braden Anderton or Garrett Anderton at Mode Transportation. Contact information is available through the Oregon Seed Association membership directory.

ICAT Logistics Provides End-to-End Logistics Support for the Global Seed Market

When timing, precision, and global coordination matter, companies across a wide range of industries turn to ICAT Logistics for support. With operations reaching more than 190 countries, the company has built a reputation for delivering customized logistics solutions in industries where reliability is critical.

Founded in 1993, ICAT Logistics was created to provide a more personalized and responsive experience in the logistics and transportation industry. Today, the company supports customers across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America, helping businesses navigate the complex world of international freight movement. From inland transportation and documentation to air freight, ocean freight, and ground freight, ICAT provides end-to-end logistics solutions tailored to customer needs, including specialized support for seed industry shipments.

At the company’s Portland operation, Operations Manager Lanier Schriner says ICAT values the opportunity to support the seed industry through its involvement with the Oregon Seed Association. “Supporting OSA has allowed ICAT to build valuable relationships within the agricultural community and demonstrate its industry importance,” Schriner shared.

The Portland office brings together nearly 100 years of combined logistics experience, giving the team the ability to navigate complex shipping challenges and adapt quickly when unexpected issues arise. Whether managing changing regulations, weather disruptions, congestion, or shifting global conditions, ICAT emphasizes problem-solving, flexibility, and customer service at every step of the process.

ICAT defines success by more than simply delivering freight. The company emphasizes operational excellence, accountability, and providing customers with peace of mind throughout the shipping process. Its technology platform incorporates AI-powered visibility and predictive intelligence tools designed to help customers manage increasingly complex supply chains.

As the logistics industry continues to evolve, ICAT anticipates greater adoption of technologies such as AI, IoT, and autonomous transportation systems in the years ahead. The company also expects sustainability initiatives and environmentally conscious logistics practices to become an even larger focus across global supply chains.

For Oregon’s seed industry, dependable logistics partners play an important role in helping products reach customers around the world. Through its continued support of OSA, ICAT Logistics remains committed to strengthening those global connections while delivering the responsive, experienced service its customers rely on.

A Century of Protection: How Hagan Hamilton Supports Oregon’s Seed Industry

With deep roots in Oregon and a long-standing commitment to local industries, Hagan Hamilton Insurance Solutions has spent more than a century helping businesses navigate risk. Based in McMinnville and operating through seven offices across the state, the independent, family-owned agency combines local expertise with the capabilities of a large firm, offering what team members describe as the best of both worlds.

Hagan Hamilton is a full-service insurance agency with specialized expertise across a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, vineyards, banking, public entities, employee benefits, and personal insurance. Within the seed industry, the agency has built a particularly strong presence, working with companies in Oregon and beyond. Their approach centers on being a steady, practical partner, helping clients set up appropriate coverage, manage claims when they arise, and identify ways to reduce overall risk and cost.

That hands-on approach is especially important in seed and agricultural operations, where timing, logistics, and physical assets like equipment and inventory are critical. The Hagan Hamilton team emphasizes understanding how each business actually operates on the ground, allowing them to tailor solutions that reflect real-world challenges rather than one-size-fits-all policies.

Founded in 1915, the company has remained locally owned throughout its history. Today, it employs nearly 70 people, many of whom live in seed country and have personal ties to the industries they serve. This connection extends across the organization, from specialized ag team members to behind-the-scenes account managers who help keep client operations running smoothly.

As a Silver Sponsor and Associate Member of the Oregon Seed Association, Hagan Hamilton views its involvement as more than a marketing opportunity. The agency values being actively engaged with the seed community, using those relationships to better understand operational challenges and provide more informed guidance around risk management, including areas like equipment, inventory, transportation, and liability.

Like others in the industry, the agency is currently navigating a challenging insurance market, with rising costs across many lines that are not always tied to individual claims. At the same time, Hagan Hamilton sees opportunity in these conditions, pushing the team to be more proactive, creative, and engaged with clients. They also work to challenge common misconceptions about insurance, emphasizing that true value lies not just in price, but in how coverage is structured, how claims are handled, and how risks are addressed before problems occur.

Beyond business operations, Hagan Hamilton is also known for its strong philanthropic culture. During the holiday season, each office selects a local charity and participates in a friendly competition to raise funds, reflecting the company’s broader commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.

After more than 100 years in business, Hagan Hamilton continues to define success through longevity, strong client relationships, and a high retention rate, earned by consistently delivering for the businesses that rely on them.

American Ag Systems Builds Reliability from the Ground Up

In the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, American Ag Systems is helping modern agriculture operate more efficiently, one installation at a time. Based in Salem, the company has steadily grown its reputation as a trusted partner for agricultural and industrial businesses across the Pacific Northwest.

Founded in 2014 by brothers-in-law and military veterans, Travis Tatum and Andrew Burleigh, American Ag Systems emerged from hands-on experience in agricultural equipment and processing systems. Through their work in the industry, they identified a gap: a need for skilled, dependable installation and millwright services delivered by professionals who truly understand the equipment they work with.

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Sharon Davidson shares the story behind Agri Seed Testing seed lab, the realities of seed testing, and why partnership with OSA has made a difference.

For more than four decades, Agri Seed Testing has played an important role in Oregon’s seed industry. By providing detailed, accurate analysis, testing their work supports seed quality standards, ensures that grower-company contract specs are met, and guides the best use of individual seed lots before they enter the marketplace.

Founded in May of 1983 by Sharon Davidson, RST, Agri Seed Testing specializes in agricultural seed testing services, including purity, germination, tetrazolium, ploidy, and other quality characteristics.

Davidson’s path to ownership began after earning her Registered Seed Technologist (RST) status while working in Arizona. Encouraged by her father to return home to Oregon, she launched Agri Seed Testing with family support and initially operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of RD Farms. She began in a 1,000-square-foot leased space. Within seven years, she purchased and renovated her first building into a dedicated seed lab. A decade later, continued growth led to the addition of a second facility, bringing the operation to a total of 7,000 square feet.

While many people assume seed testing is automated, the work remains highly hands-on. Each seed in a purity test is examined individually. Each sprout in a germination test is evaluated by a trained analyst. The lab’s report of analysis is often the deciding document in buying, selling, and shipping seed, so accuracy is critical. Although seed testing may be one of the least compensated roles in the production chain, it produces one of the most important documents in any transaction.

Workforce development is one of the company’s biggest challenges today. The work is detailed and methodical, and it takes patience and a genuine passion for seeds. Hiring at high wages is not always possible, so finding and keeping employees who truly care about the work is essential. Davidson also notes that putting a RUSH on a test does not actually make results come faster; it just puts the lab further behind on other tests. Each evaluation takes time and attention, and quality cannot be compromised.

Looking ahead, Davidson expects there may be fewer seed labs in the future. While artificial intelligence may assist with certain processes, she believes trained professionals will still be needed to evaluate final results. As the industry evolves, maintaining strong training and expertise will remain important.

Agri Seed Testing has been part of the Oregon Seed Association since before it was even called the OSA. As a Gold Sponsor and Associate Member, the company views its involvement as a true partnership. Over the years, the OSA’s support in addressing testing rules and seed law considerations has helped strengthen both the business and the broader seed community.

Reflecting on her career, Davidson describes it as a fabulous journey. From a farm girl in St. Paul to the founder of a respected seed lab, she credits the Oregon seed community and the OSA for believing in her vision and supporting the work that helps keep Oregon seed moving around the world.