At Hazera, we are proud of our dedicated team, which works passionately to provide our growers with the best products. While we tend to put our seed varieties in the headlines, it is the Hazera team who are the true foundation of our success. Let’s shine the spotlight on Barry Younkin, our Western U.S. Sales Manager, who has been an integral part of our community for over two decades.
Barry Younkin grew up far off the beaten path in the remote wilderness of Northern California, living on isolated ranger stations. This unique upbringing taught him the value of creativity, resilience, and deep connection. After his family relocated to the Tahoe National Forest, Barry discovered his own passion for agriculture through 4-H programs. “I got into the gardening end of it, raising my own vegetables,” he shares. “I was good at making things grow, and it fascinated me.”
Following his studies at Fresno State, Barry built a robust career in the agricultural sector, joining the Hazera family 22 years ago. He initially managed a hybrid cotton program before transitioning to the vegetable side of our business. Now based in Sanger, California—the agricultural heartland of the state—Barry has spent over two decades working closely with our growers, walking alongside them to provide consistent crop performance and reliable sales guidance.
Outside of work, Barry puts family and nature first. A proud father and grandfather, he feels most at home in the wilderness, shaped by his mountain upbringing. In his spare time, you can find him backpacking, hiking through wilderness areas, or enjoying an afternoon of fishing, always connected to the land we are all inspired by.
If you had to explain your job to a 5-year-old, how would you do it?
Barry laughs, noting that he actually had this exact conversation with his son many years ago. “I held some watermelon seeds in my hand and said to him: ‘You see these seeds? I give them to farmers. They put them in the ground, and they grow up to make the watermelon fruit that you eat. When I bring home the ones you really love, I tell the farmers these are the best tasting watermelons. So they make more. Then we go to the store, you eat them, and you know you helped pick the watermelons that are in the store right now.'”
It is a simple, playful explanation, but it beautifully captures the collaborative spirit of our work. We walk alongside our partners to find the varieties that bring quality and consistent yield to communities everywhere.
What’s something you’ve learned during your career at Hazera from working with colleagues or partners from different cultures?
“Hazera is an incredibly diverse, international company, and seeing the different cultures is absolutely amazing,” Barry says. However, one universal truth stands above the rest: reliability.
“Your word is who you are. What you say and do matters. You must always keep your promises. In a tight-knit community like the seed business, your reputation and the respect you earn are priceless. If you say you are going to be there on a Saturday to support a grower, you be there.”
Barry also shares a piece of wisdom he passes down to his own team, inspired by a former manager. “He told me, ‘Mistakes will be made if you’re working. If you’re doing your job, mistakes happen.’ I try to keep that mindset. Do not worry about the little things. Just do your job, keep your honesty. And use your head, not your back. Think about things before you do them, and tackle them the smart way.”
What’s the most unusual or memorable thing that’s ever happened to you in your career?
Barry’s proudest achievement is the creation of the Open Days in Woodland, California. “About 10 years ago, I thought, we have these fields—why not invite people in?” Working closely with his colleague Limor Golan, Barry built the event from the ground up. “People told me it would be too hard, but when Limor gets her teeth into something, it works. Now, we call it America’s Open Days. We have over 300 growers and distributors showing up to see our crops in action. To watch it rise from just an idea to this massive, successful gathering where we connect directly with our partners is incredibly rewarding.”
Barry emphasizes that this success stems from the company’s culture. “It feels like family here. Instead of a massive corporate machine, there is a closeness. We take care of each other. That is what drew me in, and that is what has kept me here for 22 years.”
If you could look ahead 10 years, what change in your job field would excite you most?
Barry’s focus is rooted firmly in the earth and the immediate environmental challenges our growers face. “I come from the West, and we do not have a lot of water. We are seeing severe droughts out here. For me, seeing our crops become truly drought-tolerant would excite me the most. Our water supply is at a critical point. Having varieties that can perform reliably and deliver consistent yields under drought conditions would be a massive game-changer for agriculture.”
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