Kaitlin Metzger

Kaitlyn Metzger began her career at the Iowa State University (ISU) Seed Lab as an undergraduate in October 2007. She started out working in the front office, then worked her way through all the various labs, ending with Lisa Shepherd in the Seed Health Lab. After graduating from ISU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Business, she spent time working in Extension as a County Youth Coordinator and in the show cattle industry. Kaitlyn came back to the ISU Seed Lab in 2013, serving as the Seed Health Lab Manager.

Kaitlyn says she enjoys the work because the seed health testing world is constantly evolving; this means no two days are ever the same, and there is always something new to learn. She also gets a sense of accomplishment from working with and mentoring the college students who work for the lab.

“In 7th-grade Intro to Ag class, my teacher started the year off with a saying, ‘Ag is Everything!’” Kaitlyn said. “This discussion fueled my passion for agriculture. I enjoy working in the agriculture field and get a sense of gratification knowing that the work we are conducting here at the ISU Seed Lab is allowing companies to ship seed all over the world.”

Kaitlyn is a huge Iowa State Athletics fan in her free time and enjoys attending Iowa State Football games and tailgates with her family. She also enjoys traveling and attending livestock shows with family and friends and says her greatest accomplishment is her “ornery, witty, and fun-loving” son.