Future Seed Executives (FuSE)

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Welcome to the Future Seed Executives (FuSE) Webpage!

The Future Seed Executives (FuSE) initiative became an official sub-committee of the American Seed Trade Association's (ASTA) Management Skills Committee in 2004. FuSE focuses on educating and supporting future seed industry executives, namely those with fewer than seven years of seed industry experience.

FuSE Educational Units are one-day events co-hosted by ASTA member companies.  A typical event showcases the host company’s business and operations followed by a case-study presented by a local university.  The Educational Units complement programs offered by the ASTA Management Academy and are designed as regional opportunities to expand learning, promote networking and improve general understanding of the seed industry.

In addition to the Educational Units, FuSE Round Table Discussion Groups have been a great success. This series of conference calls, moderated by senior industry members, aims at educating Future Seed Executives on recent major events and happenings in the industry. Each one-hour long conference call focuses on a specific topic and, holding true to the round table format, new topics can be introduced for discussion by those on the call.

These programs have been attended by representatives from each division of the seed industry and a wide range of ASTA-member companies including Abbott and Cobb, AgReliant Genetics, Alf Christensen, Becks Superior Hybrids, Biddick, Inc., Corn States Hybrid Services, CPS, Delta & Pine Land, DLF International, Gro Alliance, Hoegemeyer Hybrids, Ioka Farms, JGL, Jung Seed Genetics, Kaltenberg, Kerkhoff Farm Seeds, Meadowland Corp., Monsanto, Pacific Seeds, Pennington Seed, Inc., Royster Clark, United Agri Products, and Wolf & Wolf Seeds.

2008 will be the second year for Campus Connections. With this program, FuSE awards grants to university undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in the seed industry. These grants will be given to a limited number of students in order to attend the ASTA Annual Convention held each summer. In addition to the grant, each student will be paired with a senior industry member who will act as their mentor during the Convention. This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about the seed industry and network with key individuals

If you would like more information on getting involved with FuSE, please email info@futureseedexecutives.com.