Carrie Miranda, an assistant professor at NDSU specializing in soybean breeding and genetics, discusses her journey into agriculture and her work in soybean breeding. She explains the importance of soybean maturity and the challenges of breeding for North Dakota's unique environment. Carrie also highlights the need for new germplasm and the potential for improving soybean yields in the state. In this part of the conversation, Carrie Miranda discusses the influence of genetics and the environment on soybean maturity and yield. She explains that while genetics play a significant role in maturity, environmental factors such as nighttime temperatures can also affect soybean maturity. Carrie's research focuses on developing soybean varieties that are 100% controlled by genetics, which would give growers more control and reduce risk. She also discusses the importance of addressing challenges such as drought, salinity, and low water conditions in soybean breeding. Carrie emphasizes the need for collaboration with farmers and the North Dakota Soybean Council to understand their needs and develop relevant traits. In this conversation, Carrie Miranda, a soybean breeder at North Dakota State University, discusses the challenges and advancements in soybean breeding. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication between researchers, farmers, and other stakeholders in the soybean industry. Carrie also highlights the significance of using resistant varieties to manage soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and the benefits of crop diversity and rotation in reducing nematode populations. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the NDSU Soybean Symposium and the role of social media in sharing information about soybean breeding.