Seed E-News
SPECIAL EDITION

February 23 , 2009

Welcome to the electronic newsletter of the American Seed Trade Association(ASTA) for members, allies and stakeholders. Please feel free to forward the Seed E-News to others you believe might wish to receive news about the seed industry. Questions, comments and your industry news are welcome — contact Gretchen Flanley at ASTA. Past issues can be viewed here .

In This Issue Hitting A Home Run At ASTA's Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference Division Officers Seed Industry Reaches Out To Ronald McDonald House Sowing Seeds to Fight Hunger Longest ASTA Member Receives Recognition FuSE Opportunities Kick Off With A Bang Committee Developments Resolutions By The ASTA Board Of Directors Photo Gallery

HITTING A HOME RUN AT ASTA'S VEGETABLE & FLOWER SEED CONFERENCE

Attendees hit a homerun at ASTA's 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference, held Feb. 7-10 in Tampa, Fla. The venue for the nearly 600 attendees was designed to easily network while receiving the latest information on issues to prepare businesses for the future.

A Base Hit to First

The ASTA Trading Room was sold out with 23 exhibitors, 32 reserved appointment tables and plenty of open tables for impromptu meetings. Larger than ever before, the Trading Room provided an opportunity to learn about new products and services offered by ASTA members and suppliers to the seed industry. ASTA conferences are renowned for the magnitude of business that is conducted in conjunction to the events. The Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference is no exception - a year's worth of business done in four days! Mark your calendars for the 49th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference, being held Jan. 23-26, 2010, at Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nev.

Rounding Second

The Opening General Session showcased a dynamic talk provided by Mark Faust of Echelon Management International on "How to Build Sales and Profits through Strategy and Sales Innovation." Faust's presentation was timely for seed businesses trying to grow their business during the current economic situation. He covered a range of topics: leveraging uniqueness; building strategy; tapping customer potential; selling profit; sales management at all levels; motivation for better productivity; and marketing for new customers. ASTA Chairman Kelly Keithly of Keithly-Williams Seeds hoped others found the session as valuable as he had, "It has been speakers and programs like this at ASTA meetings that have helped me to grow my business."

Stealing Third

The Opening General Session helped to set the stage for the Vegetable & Flower Seed Division meeting with an overview by Michael Wach of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) of the biotech research pipeline both domestically and internationally for fruits, vegetables and ornamentals. Wach provided insight into the variety of crops under research and the various quality and production traits being evaluated. As seed companies consider the opportunities and challenges in utilizing biotechnology, ASTA's Vegetable & Flower Seed Division meeting served to round out the discussion on this technology. A speaker panel provided an introduction to quality management tools available to assist companies in developing stewardship best practices for products derived from biotechnology. These tools, ASTA's Guide to Seed Quality Management Practices, BIO's Excellence through Stewardship, and USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service's Biotechnology Quality Management System, address unique and yet complimentary aspects of seed quality and trait development. David Schmidt, president and CEO of International Food Information Council, offered a perspective on the marketing of biotech products from lessons learned and how to prepare for the future. Bruno Carette, chairman of the newly formed International Seed Federation (ISF) Working Group on GM Vegetables provided an update on the latest discussions at the international level on biotechnology and vegetable seed. ASTA's representative to ISF's Vegetable & Ornamental Crops Section John Schoeneker asked for those interested in participating in a special advisory group to support ASTA's representation to the Working Group to contact ASTA staff, Gretchen Flanley or Bernice Slutsky.

Bringing it into Home Plate

ASTA's strategic goals are membership driven, and the association's committee structure is an opportunity for members to be at the helm. Issues are discussed, priorities are set, strategies are developed, and accomplishments for the seed industry are delivered. Several ASTA committees held meetings during the 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference. Below are some highlights some of these committees.

Presentations from the Opening General Session and the Vegetable & Flower Seed Division meeting will be made available soon on the ASTA Web site in the Member's Only Section. Look for further information in future issues of Seed E-News.  We look forward to seeing you at the 49th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference!

ASTA VEGETABLE & FLOWER SEED DIVISION OFFICERS

SEED INDUSTRY REACHES OUT TO RONALD McDONALD HOUSE

On Feb. 8, "ASTA Gives Back" continued with an exciting three-way partnership between ASTA, Seed Programs, Inc. (SPI) and the Ronald McDonald Charities of Tampa, host city of ASTA's 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference. A community-service program, "ASTA Gives Back" debuted in 2008. Convention attendees lent a landscaping hand at the Serenity Garden of the Ronald McDonald House to beautify the area for its residents.

The herb gardens, flowering hanging baskets and broad range of flowers throughout the garden were made possible through the efforts of the 27 volunteers and the title sponsor, Seminis, and project sponsors, Goldsmith Seeds, Inc., Harris Seeds, Jim and Brenda Shearl, PanAmerican Seeds, Seeds of Change, and W. Atlee Burpee & Co.

The Ronald McDonald House, which offers temporary affordable housing for families whose children are hospitalized, will also conduct a special promotional campaign to commemorate Mother's Day by distributing packets of marigold flower seeds to donors, supporters and former residents. SPI, a non-profit organization who donates seed worldwide to developing nations in need, has partnered with ASTA to provide these seed packets for the project. Many ASTA members have contributed to SPI, and this "ASTA Gives Back" partnership provides a new opportunity for ongoing collaboration and community spirit.

SOWING SEEDS TO FIGHT HUNGER

Part of a better long term solution to hunger is to help people produce some of the food they consume. Seed Programs, Inc. (SPI) works through other humanitarian organizations, church groups, service clubs and individual donors, to provide quality seed to impoverished communities in developing countries enabling them to grow some of their own food. In addition to seed, SPI provides critical seed expertise and experience operating seed based self help programs. SPI President John Batcha delivered a compelling story of how companies can contribute to Seed Programs, Inc. which aims to reduce global hunger through seed distributions and extension efforts. To learn more about SPI or to get involved with their worthy efforts, visit the SPI Web site.

LONGEST ASTA MEMBER RECEIVES RECOGNITION

In agriculture, one thing is constant - change. The seed industry, and the members who founded ASTA in 1883, embraced that notion - that working together we can drive innovation and technology, bringing advances to agriculture and to an industry as a whole. One of the longest running ASTA member companies is W. Atlee Burpee & Co. The Burpee company was founded in Philadelphia in 1876 by 18 year-old W. Atlee Burpee who had a passion for plants and animals and a mother willing to lend him $1000 dollars of "seed money" to get the business started. Within 25 years he had developed the largest, most progressive seed company in America. By 1915, the company was mailing a million catalogues a year to America's gardeners. Having joined ASTA in 1886, this family seed company continues to be a member of ASTA. W. Atlee Burpee & Co. President Chris Romas was presented with a plaque recognizing the longest consecutive membership of any company in the history of ASTA.

FuSE OPPORTUNITIES KICK OFF WITH A BANG

ASTA's Future Seed Executives (FuSE) kicked off this year's activities with a networking event at the 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference. Representing new talent to the seed industry as well as experienced seed professionals, attendees were able to exchanges ideas for future FuSE program opportunities, including Educational Units and Discussion Groups. For more information on how to become involved with FuSE, please contact Jason Laney.

The FuSE Campus Connections program is accepting applications for ASTA's 126th Annual Convention! Campus Connections provides the unique opportunity for undergraduate students (juniors) working towards a career in the seed industry to attend the ASTA Annual Convention where they will interact with seed industry professionals and senior executives to investigate various aspects of the seed business. FuSE, via the Campus Connections program, will award students a grant to attend the 126th Annual Convention to be held in Scottsdale, Ariz., in June 2009. Applicants for the Campus Connections program must be current undergraduate students in their junior year working towards a bachelor's degree in a seed-related area of study or Ag-Business/Economics. Please note that applications must be received by March 13, 2009. Visit the Fuse Web site for more information on FuSE. For additional information on the Campus Connections program and to download the application form, please click here.

COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENTS

Intellectual Property Committee (IPC)

The ASTA Intellectual Property Committee heard from Paul Zankowski, commissioner of the U.S. Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO) about processes that are being put into place to improve the efficiency of the PVPO and to increase PVPO activities in the international arena. The IPC also discussed recent developments in the International Seed Federation's (ISF) Intellectual Property Committee, resulting in two action items. The ASTA IPC will consider at its next meeting a recommendation concerning parental line seed deposits after the hybrid line PVP certificate has expired. The ASTA IPC will also begin discussion on possible changes to the position paper on the use of molecular markers for testing during the PVP application process.

Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee will begin new work on an additional section of the ASTA Guide to Seed Quality Management Practices. This new section will focus on seed health. Over the next year a drafting group will develop this section of the Guide with the goal of completion by the 49th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference in January 2010.

Organic Committee

Guest speaker Richard Mathews Chief, Standards Development and Review for the National Organic Program (NOP) at the USDA updated the committee on the the NOP's goals for 2009 and discussed with the group on ASTA's participation and partnership with the National Organic Standards Board.  As a result of this meeting the Organic Committee has agreed to form a working group to develop a Certifier Training Module on seeds and seed input.  To assist in this effort please contact staff liaison to the committee, Lisa Nichols. 

Joint Meeting of the Phytosanitary & International Committees

The new import reporting requirements specified under the revised Lacey Act will not be implemented until April 2009, and will be phased in over a two year period. As a result of comments submitted by ASTA under the Federal Register notice in Fall 2008, nearly all seed consignments will be exempted from these reporting requirements.  When the definitions of the exempted categories "common cultivars" and "common food crops" are published later this spring, they will be written broadly to ensure exemption of commercial seed products. In response to needs identified by the Phytosanitary Committee, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will work with ASTA to organize two workshops: one on permitting and one on pest risk assessment.  The goal is to offer both these workshops this year. The Veg Tech Subcommittee will continue to keep literature searches on spinach Verticillium dahliae and E.coli 0157H7, including their reviews and analyses of the literature citations up to date and will notify the chairman of the Phytosanitary Committee of any emerging issues and concerns. The APS-ISF-ASTA Pathogen Codification Project is making significant progress. USDA's Agricultural Research Service has agreed to store and distribute the differential host seeds under the Germplasm Resource and Information Network (GRIN). A permitting system for the pathogen strains has been worked out with APHIS. The Project will be described and discussed in detail in a special symposium at the APS annual meeting in Portland, Ore., in August.

Emerging Diseases Committee

The bacterial fruit blotch brochure has been updated and will be published and distributed electronically to members. Companies will be able to print copies when needed. A consortium of scientists led by Dr. Ron Walcott is applying for grant funds under the USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative to conduct research and other activities needed by the vegetable seed industry. Because this program requires industry-driven research needs and matching resources (both financial and in-kind), Dr. Walcott needs industry input and indication of support by early March. A mechanism was established for ASTA to send information to committee members for rapid review and response. The committee discussed the need to develop a standardized response document to be used whenever a new or emerging seed disease issue arises. The goal is to have a mechanism to quickly develop an appropriate response as well as minimize unnecessary over reaction to new scenarios as they arise.  

RESOLUTIONS BY THE ASTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The following resolutions were fully discussed at relevant ASTA Division and Committee meetings during the 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference. A final review and discussion was held at the Legislative and Legal Concerns Committee, the last meeting of the convention. Four resolutions passed by the Board of Directors include:

• The adoption of the publication entitled, "Retailers Guide for Proper Handling and Storage of Lawn Seed Products" which was endorsed by the membership of the ASTA Lawn Seed Division and directs ASTA staff to publish the Guide on the ASTA Web site and by any other means they deem appropriate.


• The continued recognition by ASTA of the Association of Official Seed Analysts' (AOSA) Rules for Testing. Therefore, ASTA opposes any deviation from the industry practice of using AOSA standards in labeling and marketing seed. This resolution is in response to the Iowa Department of Agriculture's elected use of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Uniform Laws and Regulations as the state's standard for regulating seed count and labeling.


• The opposition by ASTA to extend the Arkansas Rice Certification Act; provided, however, that ASTA would not oppose extension of the provision for no more than two years pending a review of its effect on the development and marketing of new varieties. Arkansas law currently authorizes the Arkansas State Plant Board to prohibit the planting of any rice variety determined to adversely affect its marketability. The law is set to expire on July 1, 2009, unless extended. Proposed legislation is expected to be introduced in April 2009 for consideration by the Arkansas Legislature to extend the law, but also to eliminate the current sunset provisions. The current law unnecessarily inhibits innovation, research, development and introduction of new varieties subject only to the discretion of the Arkansas State Plant Board.


• The support by ASTA of the current Oregon law and regulations restricting the seeding and growing of rapeseed except under permit for small-scale seed research. Although ASTA traditionally opposes unnecessary restrictions on planting of seed varieties and crops, ASTA supports narrow restrictions on planting where shown to be necessary to be prevent the spread of plant disease, insect infestation, or otherwise adversely affect the viability of other varieties and crops. The Oregon Department of Agriculture, in implementing state law and regulation, has limited the seeding and growing of rapeseed to prevent undesirable cross-pollination, disease and pest buildup, and volunteers. The Department is reviewing existing regulations and seeking comment on possible changes in current regulatory requirement. The Oregon Seed Association and Pacific Seed Association have urged the Oregon Department of Agriculture to enforce current law and regulations narrowly, prohibiting the seeding and growing of rapeseed except under permit for small-scale seed research.

The Board of Directors also adopted an amendment to the ASTA By-Laws that would allow a representative from a state or regional seed association to have a non-voting seat on the ASTA Board. Under Article VI, "Board of Directors," Section 2, the following will be added, "(j) one member selected by the Board of Directors who is a paid administrator of a state or regional seed association.  The term for this position shall be one year."

PHOTO GALLERY

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