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About ASRF
The American Seed Research Foundation (ASRF), a tax free foundation, was established in 1959 to encourage research in plant and seed biology and to facilitate the transfer of resulting technology to benefit the seed industry, farmers and consumers on a global basis. The foundation supports public research in plant and seed biology, applied research projects with broad or crop-specific applications, public-private cooperation in seed-related research, and educational opportunities in seed-related sciences.
How Much is it Worth to You ...
- to know the potential field performance of the seed you produce, buy or sell?
- to know the analysis of your seed was so accurate that it is above challenge?
- to have an accurate evaluation of the vigor of your seed and its longevity?
- to evaluate quickly and accurately dormant and hard seed?
- to have a 24-hour test that will accurately predict germination of seed?
- to know required storage conditions to maximize longevity of your seed?
- to detect quickly and control effectively pathogens that are seedborne?
- to treat seed internally and externally with fungicides and insecticides for more optimum plant populations and higher yield?
- to substitute bio-engineered organisms for chemicals to control seed and soil borne pathogens?
- to verify the genetic purity of your breeding lines and varieties prior to distribution and planting?
- to protect your proprietary products from infringement by use of genetic markers?
- to have automated production of a synthetic seed system for genetically improved crops?
- to prime seed to accelerate germination?
- to coat seed to promote precision planting and eliminate thinning?
- to genetically scarify hard seed?
- to increase seed yields through bener control of pollination and pathogens?
The answers to these and similar questions are continuing to be answered by the basic seed research funded by ASRF members.
Objectives of ASRF
The primary objective of ASRF is to encourage research which explores the basic principles underlying why seeds behave as they do.
Basic research is costly. It is much too costly for seed companies, regardless of the firm size, to undertake
individually. State and federal experiment stations do as much as their funds and facilities permit, but they have many commitments. They can't
concentrate on the particular problems of the U.S. seed sector unless the research needed by the industry is underwritten by seedsmen.
The fundamental conviction of the foundation is that an investment in seed research will be translated into
manifold benefits by its contribution to increased agricultural productivity.
Since seed is basic to all agricultural production, even small increments of improvement will provide substantial returns producing more food and fiber for a needy world.
Organization and Procedures
Membership: All persons, firms, partnerships, corporations, institutes, foundations, trusts, trade associations, and other duly constituted organizations, interested in advancing the purposes of ASRF, are eligible for membership therein.
Funding: Annual dues are paid by all members based on a schedule approved by the ASRF Board of Directors.
Officers: The foundation operates under a board of directors with a president, first and second vice presidents,
and a secretary-treasurer. All officers and directors are members of the ASRF. The members elect the board of directors, who in
turn, elect the officers.
Scientific Advisory Council: The board of directors at its annual meeting appoints a Scientific Advisory
Council of not less than 12 or more than 25 members to serve in an advisory capacity in the selection of research projects. Currently, the ASRF has a 25-member council of seed professionals with various areas of expertise. Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are eligible for reappointment.
Council members are selected from members of the seed industry and the other half to consist of public scientists associated with research institutions distinguished for competence in the field of
agriculture sciences.
The chair of the Scientific Advisory Council is appointed by ASRF officers and reports directly to
the president. This office works hand-in-glove with the secretary-treasurer in conducting the affairs of the foundation.
By-Laws: The ASRF is governed by a lengthy and detailed set of by-laws. These by-laws are available from ASRF.
Funding of Research
Guaranteed support of research projects for three years has been standard. This enables the graduate students, who do the research
under the direction of the scientists, to complete advanced degree requirements. It likewise permits the scientist to arrive at some definitive results
on the project.
From 1961-1991, the research projects were approved for three years at roughly $5,000 per year. Recognizing the accelerated cost of doing research, the board of directors increased this to $10,000 per year for three years commencing with those projects initiated in 1991.
To maximize the use of ASRF grants, cooperating institutions agree to furnish buildings, land, greenhouse space,
supervision, etc., in support of the projects, insofar as facilities of the university will permit; and also agree that no indirect cost or overhead
is deducted from these grants, and that all funding is used to defray direct costs of the research projects.
Availability of Research Findings
Since the ASRF is supported by a broad base of seed industry members and the primary objective is to encourage
research on basic principles of seed behavior, it is therefore the intent of the ASRF to fund research projects in which the findings will be made
available to all. Research supported by ASRF grants is intended for the benefit of the public good. If patentable information results from this
research, the University has the option to seek patent protection; however, the licensing of such patents will be on a nonexclusive basis.
Research Projects
Since its inception, the ASRF has reviewed more than 600 project proposals. Forty-one projects have been completed with the help of ASRF funding to date. The total investment of ASRF in support of basic seed research is nearly $600,000. These funds have had
a stimulating effect on other sources of research support with a three to one multiplier effect of nearly $2 million in matching funds provided by other cooperating organizations.
A bonus from ASRF research grants is the large number of students who have completed master's and doctor's
degrees white receiving financial support from the grants. Following completion of advanced degree requirements, these young scientists have become members
of the research units in seed companies, of college and university faculties, and of state and federal seed laboratories. Their theses have been the
basis of hundreds of research reports and papers. The ASRF has published the results of their studies since 1961.
An important decision was made by the board of directors when they agreed to allocate $10,000 to assist in the publication of Bibliography of Seeds by Dr. Lela Barton. This amount
was matched by $10,000 from the National Science Foundation and more than $20,000 from the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research where Dr.
Barton worked all her professional life. This book of over 20,000 references constitutes the most complete annotated bibliography
of seed literature available in the world.
In addition to the funding of projects, the ASRF has assumed an increasing role in the administration of special research projects for both the Vegetable & Flower Seed Division and the Corn & Sorghum Division of the American Seed Trade Association. This activity has grown to
the point that the ASRF is now administrating more research funds than it is funding directly. These special projects are funded by collecting contributions from cooperating seed companies.
Endowment Fund
The ASRF Board established an endowment fund in January 1990 for individuals to contribute to basic seed research.
Individuals may make life contributions or provide bequests to the foundation in their wills. In addition, families of deceased seed professionals may designate or recommend
that memorial contributions be made to ASRF. Employers may also make contributions to the foundation in the name of their deceased employees.
The principle of the endowment fund, which is currently over $70,000, is to be kept intact. However, the interest earned is to be used to further the important work
of ASRF, which is the encouragement of basic seed research. As with the current make-up of the fund, records will be kept of all further contributions. Its funding sources include ASRF's Life Members, Fred Rohnert Endowment, Robert Huey Memorial Fund, and individual contributions.
The Life Members Fund was established in 1959 at the inception of ASRF to get it started. Nineteen
individuals and organizations contributed $1,000 each to the original fund. Others who may want to further the work of ASRF through bequests, cash contributions or other means are
encouraged to contact the ASRF office. |
