Key Takeaways
- Andy Seckinger, Sales Director at United Grants of America, joined the Vertical Farming Podcast to discuss sales, grants, and farming.
- Seckinger emphasized that buyers focus on three outcomes: making money, saving money, or simplifying their lives.
- United Grants of America was founded after Eli Tacker’s farming loss highlighted the need for grant access support.
- The company focuses on agriculture-specific programs, working on a success-fee basis rather than upfront charges.
- Seckinger praised the vertical farming community for its commitment to solving challenges like food deserts and employment.
Conversations at Indoor Ag-Con and Beyond With Andy Seckinger
Andy Seckinger, Sales Director at United Grants of America, recently joined the Vertical Farming Podcast with host Harry Duran to share his insights on sales, farming, and agricultural grant access. Reflecting on his career and recent industry events, Seckinger emphasized the importance of building trust and simplifying complex processes for farmers.
“At the end of the day, there are three reasons why people buy: Are you going to make me money, are you going to save me money, or are you going to make my life easy?” said Andy Seckinger. “You’ve got to connect, lower resistance, and get somebody to trust you, and then you can move on and start talking about how you’re going to help them.”
Andy Seckinger’s Farming Roots to Grants Expertise
Seckinger described his path into agricultural services, which began with a personal connection to farming in Iowa and later expanded into corporate sales leadership. His perspective shifted after meeting United Grants of America founder Eli Tacker, who launched the firm following his own experience with disaster losses on a farm.
“Eli realized how many resources existed for farmers but how difficult they were to navigate,” Seckinger noted. “That passion to help producers access programs and sustain their businesses became the foundation of United Grants of America.”
Building Connections at Industry Events
At recent events such as Indoor Ag-Con, Seckinger said he was struck by the openness of the vertical farming community and its focus on solutions for food security and employment. “It was a wonderful introduction into vertical farming,” he said. “The conversations we had about grants and funding opportunities showed how much interest there is in supporting specialty crops and new production models.”
United Grants of America specializes in agricultural grants and disaster recovery programs, working with farmers to maximize opportunities while minimizing the administrative burden. Seckinger emphasized that his team does not charge upfront fees, instead operating on a success-based model.
Andy Seckinger’s Sales Perspective
Seckinger also reflected on his decades in sales, contrasting traditional hard-sell tactics with his philosophy of helping people buy. “I don’t want to sell anybody anything,” he explained. “What I enjoy is understanding people, connecting with them, and helping them succeed. That’s what makes this role so rewarding—farmers are busy, honest, hardworking people, and our job is to make their lives easier.”
