New seed administrator appointed to Indiana State Chemist office

Jessica McVay

Jessica McVay has been selected as seed administrator for the Office of Indiana State Chemist. (Purdue Agricultural Communications photo/Tom Campbell)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —

Jessica McVay, who has worked as a seed analyst, feed microscopist and laboratory coordinator for the Indiana Seed Regulatory Agency for 11 years, has been selected as the new seed administrator in the Office of Indiana State Chemist. In this role, McVay works closely with seedsmen, state and federal regulators, the seed trade industry, and consumers to monitor the compliance of seeds sold and distributed according to the Indiana Seed Law.

McVay, a certified seed analyst in both purity and germination, worked closely with Don Robinson, the previous seed administrator. She knows that established strong relationships with partners are essential to the Indiana State Seed Lab and plans to continue to develop those relationships in her new position.

Mark LeBlanc, director of the Indiana State Chemist office, remarked on McVay’s experience, “During her tenure with the Office of Indiana State Chemist seed program, Jessica has been a skilled, dedicated and hardworking part of our team. She has regularly gone above and beyond to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the seed program. We look forward to her leadership in her new role.”

McVay shared that this position is more than just a job to her. “My grandmother was a seed analyst years before me — I still use the same purity board that she did! She laid a foundation in the seed lab, and it’s been fun to follow in her footsteps. I am excited for this new opportunity within the Office of Indiana State Chemist and the ability to continue to serve and educate the seed industry.”

Writer: Lindsey Berebitsky
Media contact: Maureen Manier, mmanier@purdue.edu
Sources: Jessica McVay, jgray@purdue.edu; Mark LeBlanc, leblanc1@purdue.edu
Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;
Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

Uncategorized News

Exterior of Westwood building

Thompson presents ‘A Time Machine to the Early Solar System: Analyzing Samples from Asteroid Bennu Returned by the NASA OSIRIS-REx Mission’ at Westwood Lecture Series

November 12, 2025

Promotional graphic for Purdue University featuring the text: 'OPEN ENROLLMENT OCT. 28 - NOV. 11, 2025. PURDUE UNIVERSITY. YOUR PATH.'

Ready, set, enroll: Open enrollment for 2026 benefits begins today

October 28, 2025

Multicolored fall trees line the sidewalks near a large brick building on Purdue University’s campus.

This week’s ‘Thumbs Up’ recipients

October 13, 2025

Exterior of Westwood building

Waninger presents ‘Accelerating Pediatric Medical Device Innovation Through Collaboration’ at Westwood Lecture Series

October 1, 2025

All Uncategorized News