We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brittany Scott. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brittany below.
Alright, Brittany thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
I hope my legacy will be that woman across the world will have the economic empowerment to lead the lives they are meant to. On the surface, SMART Reproduction, supplies sheep and goat germ plasm to international buyers. As small ruminants are considered the poor man’s cow and have a perceived lesser economic value, these animals typically fall under the management of women. The income and nutrition derived from this livestock stays within their control. When those animals are more productive and efficient, children have more to eat and there is greater revenue from the sale of milk, kids, and meat. Women reinvest those profits back into the family and into the family smallholdings. When women are empowered financially, the most vulnerable of the household prosper in a myriad of ways.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
When I graduated from Louisiana State University, I immediately cofounded a reproductive physiology company focused on small ruminants. Initially we focused on the domestic market and I traveled the country assisting breeders in furthering their genetic programs. Due to the high quality and data back evaluation programs, American sheep and goat genetics are some of the most productive in the world. By 2019, the first international buyers were organically finding our website and inquiring about purchasing the genetics featured there. Upon recognizing the opportunity, I exited the company and founded SMART Reproduction in 2021. SMART Reproduction is a USDA approved facility for the collection, cryopreservation, and export of small ruminant semen and embryos. At the center, we maintain top quality meat and dairy sires for private, NGO, and governmental contract breed up programs fulfillment. Our multi-lingual staff also assists with animal procurement, live animal export, and virtual and in person training. We see our mission to not just assist in the procurement of top quality genetics but to ensure longterm success for the end user.
Prior to 2019, inter country agreements for the export of sheep and goat genetic products were basically nonexistent. This means that I needed to work with the USDA and the client’s counterpart to the USDA to craft an import agreement. This was truly a labor of love that birthed an entire industry and one that ever evolving. Our clients know that we will adapt and pivot to make their dream of an improved flock or herd real.
The project we are most proud of is out involvement with Winrock International, the USAID, and the government of Nepal on KISAN II. This 5 year multi pronged project is meant to dramatically alter the subsistence level agriculture through improved agricultural practices and value added chains. SMART was honored to supply the caprine genetics for the in country breed up program.
From Jonesboro to Kathmandu: Goat Sires from the Natural State go Global
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Plainly, I lead by example. There is nothing I would ever ask of my team that I would not ask of myself. In turn, I focus on each team members strengths. Feedback on projects and personal development is routine. Feeling supported and heard is paramount in this organization. For example, our interns are strongly encouraged to identify and present a research opportunity. They are provided full support to not only complete their project but to also publish their work. We want to the best and brightest animal science students to apply and we understand that these opportunities attract them. Within our staff, the vast majority are woman. Recognizing the fact we have unique pressure placed upon us as women and as mothers, flexibility with shift times and providing occasional work from home options are huge moral boosters. Lastly, disconnection from work and its pressures are highlighted. Everyone needs to be able to unplug and step away the stress of the workplace.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I was a new mother to a beautiful baby girl when I realized I needed to change how I approached my professional life. The company I co-owned at the time required a great deal of travel and I knew that was unsustainable with small children. As time went on, I continuously wrestled with the desire to have a full fledged career and also be a present, loving parent. When I was pregnant with my second child, inspiration struck as I struggles with pregnancy related insomnia. I would bring the customers to me instead of chasing them all over the United States. I contacted the USDA to create the intergovernmental agreements needed to export these genetics internationally. With these agreements in place, I then began to reach out to the extensive domestic network of American sheep and goat breeders as well as coordinating the slowly increasing global buyer demand. With the result of my hard work (the brand new export, quarantine, and disease testing agreements) and the belief in the quality of small ruminant production genetics, I left the original company and founded SMART Reproduction. Here, myself and my team focus on international demand for the unique products we create and market.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://smartrepro.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMARTReproduction/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-repro/