Accessibility links
Seed Spy : Planet Money Espionage. Deceit. Theft. In this episode we follow the case of a global effort to steal top secret high technology: seeds. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Planet Money

Seed Spy

Seed Spy

Listen · 23:38
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/884054668/1198961238" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Kevin Montgomery at a Farm
Enlarge this image
Kevin Montgomery
Kevin Montgomery at a Farm
Kevin Montgomery

Kevin Montgomery is a straight-talking plant scientist who specializes in developing new kinds of seeds. Back in 2012, one of his main gigs was helping a big, international company to grow and test new kinds of corn. Everything was going great... until the FBI showed up at his front door.

Today on the show — international economic espionage. Hold on to your ears as we take you on a journey to the center of a corn seed to find why the FBI is using tons of agents, wiretaps, and secret airplanes — all in search of a kernel of truth.

This episode is based on the book, "The Scientist and the Spy" written by Mara Hvistendahl.

Music: "Diamond Dog," "In The Home," "Silent Star," and "Honey Coated."

Find us: Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts and NPR One.

It's no secret where you can get all the best economic insights — subscribe to our weekly Newsletter!