2008 ASTA Farm and Lawn Seed Conference
November 1-4, 2008, Westin Crown Center Hotel
Kansas City, MO

General Info | Hotel Information | Conference Registration | Schedule

Registration is now open for ASTA’s 2008 Farm Seed and Lawn Seed Conference, again held in conjunction with the Western Seed Association’s (WSA) Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, November 1-4, at the Westin Crown Center Hotel. We are looking forward to seeing you in Kansas City!

Registration should be completed and returned to WSA by fax at 309-664-0607 by September 29.

The ASTA program will begin on Sunday, November 2nd with meetings of the ASTA Invasive Species Working Group and the Environmental and Conservation Seed Committee. The Invasive Species Committee will include a state activities update, a report on ASTA’s appointment to the Invasive Species Advisory Council, an update on Farm Bill inclusions affecting invasive species and an open discussion. The Environmental and Conservation Seed Committee is pleased to present Paul Harte, agricultural economist for the Conservation and Environmental Programs Division (CEPD)/Farm Service Agency (FSA) of USDA, who will speak on the Biomass Crop Assistance Program.  The Committee will also include time to discuss Farm Bill implementation, a 2008 workshop summary, planning for the 2009 workshop program and Hill/Administration visits and general discussion on new member opportunities and white paper on energy/conservation.

The Farm Seed and Lawn Seed Divisions will meet on Monday, November 3rd. The Farm Seed Division meeting, being held Monday, November 3 from 8:00 – 9:30 am, will feature a variety of educational presentations including a report on biomass influences by Forrest Chumley of Edenspace, a presentation on fertilizer pricing by Larry Unruh of the American Plant Food Corporation, a discussion on nitrogen-producing crops as ground cover by Dan Towery of Ag Conservation Solutions, LLC, a report on colony collapse disorder by Leslie Cahill of ASTA, and a report on the initiative to harmonize Canadian and AOSA seed testing methods by Anita Hall of the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists.

The Lawn Seed Division Meeting, , being held Monday, November 3 from 10:30 am – 12:00 noon, will feature a presentation by Michael Boekholder, Head Groundskeeper of the Philadelphia Phillies, where he will discuss the challenges of managing a professional baseball team’s turf, the potential for bermudagrass for ball fields, and the different needs that the seed industry can address. In addition to Boekholder’s presentation, the meeting will also cover various lawn seed issues including phytosanitary and 15-month testing updates as well as a discussion and approval of the new Seed Handling & Storage Paper.

Your conference registration form should be sent directly to the WSA’s office 2302 East Oakland Ave., Bloomington, IL 61701 or via fax 309-664-0607. For questions regarding the Western Seed Association, please contact Jesse Smart or Susan Smart, 309-664-0606.