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February 25 , 2009
New Foundation Meets Benchmarks of Success
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is pleased to share the good progress made in raising funds and implementing strategic initiatives for the newly launched First the Seed Foundation (FTSF). The First the Seed Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, was established to conduct education, outreach and communication on the value of crops and food produced from seeds. The Foundation's goal is to reinforce the significant promise and importance of seed in everyday life by first targeting high school and college level students. The message is unique and exciting - there are many and varied career opportunities in the seed industry. Foundation President Thomas F. (Bud) Hughes shared, "Although we launched our new educational foundation in difficult economic times, the response and excitement from supporters has been gratifying. I am encouraged by the $1.024 million in contributions and pledges that we have achieved to date, versus our initial fundraising goal of $2 million. To the many who have signaled their support and to those who have joined us, we extend a big thank you. Your confidence and support is important and will help us to move forward." "The seed industry's contribution to society and agriculture is unparalleled and support of the Foundation is a key way for us all to tell our story and to give back to the industry," continued Hughes. There have been over 40 companies, associations and individuals who have committed to the Foundation and will be considered Founding Donors of FTSF. The First the Seed Foundation has now adopted a four-year strategic plan and is currently working with JMH Education in completing the development of a stand-alone Web site that will include areas for consumers, students, teachers as well as funders. The launch of the Web site is scheduled for May 2009, which will be showcased at the First the Seed Foundation booth during the ASTA Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., in June. The next phase of the Foundation's strategic plan is the development and distribution of a FTSF career packet for students who would consider a profession in the seed industry. The goal is to have this resource in the hands of high school counselors/college advisors for the 2009 fall semester. The career packet will be their tool for introducing students to the numerous seed career opportunities including jobs available, salary expectations, agricultural education programs and paths - helping students plan their next steps. High school counselors/college advisors are envisioned to use the contents of the career packets at important fall events such as career days, job fairs and back-to-school nights. These types of events are key opportunities to present career and higher education information to students and parents. The objectives of the career kit will be to inspire high school students to actively pursue a career path in the seed industry by highlighting real agricultural professionals with a focus on cultural and geographical diversity. Individuals and companies are encouraged to learn more about the Foundation, its purpose and its commitment to furthering the education and awareness of the seed industry and agriculture to America's youth. Information can be located on the ASTA Web site or by contacting Ann Jorss by phone (703) 837-8140 or email at ajorss@amseed.org. Hughes remarked, "We appreciate those who have stepped up, thank those who have agreed to support us more when they are better able, and remind those who have not that we still need their support in the very important and noble industry effort." Students Plug into the Seed Industry with Campus Connections. The Future Seed Executive (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. To learn more about the Campus Connections program and to download the application form, please click here. Pathogen Codification Project Underway. This project was established to 1) work toward developing consistency in the world for naming plant pathogen strains and races, and 2) develop a network of laboratories and seed companies in the U.S. for the maintenance, storage, multiplication and distribution of differential host - pathogen sets for testing to validate company claims of disease resistance. The American Phytopathological Society-International Seed Federation (APS-ISF) Pathogen Codification Project Working Group met in January to review progress and determine next steps. The group agreed to utilize pepper as the host and three pepper pathogen sets as a prototype system. USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will store and distribute the differential host sets, which will be catalogued and tracked in the database system of the Germplasm Resource and Information Network (GRIN) database system. A protocol has been established with USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to issue permits needed for the transport and maintenance of the pathogen sets. A special symposium is being organized as part of the American Phytopathological Society's annual meeting to describe this program and seek additional inputs. "We're making great progress," noted the project coordinator Dr. Phyllis Himmel of Seminis. "But we still have several major obstacles to work out." Among these are determining which labs will store and maintain the pathogen sets, deciding how the program will be administered, and determining a reasonable fee structure. Meet Your ASTA Staff
In January 2007, Pat Miller was hired create a position in ASTA, director of state affairs. His role is to coordinate with the state and regional seed industry associations to provide input and assist with legislative, regulatory and grassroots activities. As a result of his varied association management background, he has a keen understanding of the issues that confront state associations, as well as the legislative and regulatory processes that impact ASTA members and their grower customers. He has been involved in associations for 25 years and owned an association management firm for 12 of those years. Among his company's clients were the Texas Ag Industries Association, representing the fertilizer and agricultural chemical industry, the Texas Certified Crop Advisers program, the Texas Plant Protection Conference, the Texas Independent Ag Consultants Association, the Texas Agricultural Aviation Association, and others. Pat is a native of Texas and the proud father of two 5th generation Texan teenagers. He is an avid outdoorsman, a 32nd degree Mason and a Boy Scout leader for 20 years. It is an ASTA strategic priority to provide more extensive involvement in the increasing number of state and local government actions that can shape the seed industry. The objective is to target support for the membership at the local level. Both ASTA members and state and regional seed associations now have a resource to aid them in responding quickly as issues arise. To learn more about how to get involved in ASTA's grassroots efforts, please contact Pat Miller. ASTA-USDA Conservation Workshop Agenda Confirmed. The agenda for the 6th Annual ASTA-USDA Conservation Workshop has been confirmed for March 9 and will be held at USDA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Member organizers selected the 2009 theme, "New Opportunities for Conservation Seed." Speakers from a number of USDA agencies and the Departments of Interior and Energy will be on hand to brief 22 members on new opportunities and programs impacting and affecting this critical seed sector. On March 10, ASTA members will take advantage of the capital location and meet with their Congressman and Senators. Additional programming that day will feature an exchange with representatives of The Nature Conservancy and the Renewable Fuels Association. The group will also discuss recruitment activities, sector specific issues and the agenda of the next meeting held in conjunction with the 126th Annual Convention in June 2009. Registration is still open for the workshop and related activities. There is no charge for the workshop. For more information on the program, please contact Leslie Cahill. ASTA Members Need to Weigh in on Proposed New York Seed Fee. The fiscal budget proposed by the New York governor for approval by the state's legislature in the current session includes the creation of a new seed fee. The fee of $0.25 per $100.00, based upon any company's gross annual volume seed sales. Any company selling seed in New York will be required to pay the fee. The New York State Seed Association has established the following position with regard to the proposal:
Decisions on the direction of this legislation are now being made on a daily basis. Therefore, it is imperative that anyone affected communicate to New York government officials as soon as possible. Legislative representatives contact information may be found at the following websites:
Out of state companies, should address letters to:
To assist with coordination of this effort, please send a copy of your letters to ASTA Director of State Affairs Pat Miller, and questions can be directed to him through ASTA Headquarters at (703) 837-8140. OECD to Undertake Seed Low Level Presence (LLP) Project. The Harmonization of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology Working Group of Organisation for Economic and Cooperation Development (OECD)is currently developing a project to address LLP in seed. Both ASTA and International Seed Federation (ISF) have advocated with this Working Group to start such a project because of the trade effects resulting from asynchronous approvals for biotechnology events. The scope of the project would address, from the perspective of the environmental risk assessment, biotechnology events approved in at least one country and found in low levels in the country of import although not yet approved in the country of import. The project would also address mechanisms of information exchange among regulators. "We are very pleased that the OECD Working Group has made a decision to work on a project for seed LLP," said ASTA Vice President for Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky. "We hope the Working Group can develop this project in a timely manner as it will be an important tool for regulators and will facilitate the movement of seed." International Executive Committee to Meet. ASTA's International Executive Committee (IEC) will meet March 17-19 in Alexandria, Va. The IEC sets international priorities and directs ASTA's activities in support of these goals. In addition to the official two-day meeting, the IEC will host ASTA's Argentina, Brazil, China, India and Mexico Working Groups to join in meetings on March 18 with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA's Plant Variety Protection Office, the U.S. Patent Trade Office-Intellectual Property Policy and Enforcement and ASTA's priority country embassies located in DC. For more information, please contact ASTA Director of International Programs Lisa Nichols. Feb. 17. ASTA's President and CEO Andy LaVigne and Director of International Programs Lisa Nichols participated in CropLife America's Seed Tag Working Group Meeting in Washington, DC. Feb. 19. ASTA's Director of International Programs Lisa Nichols met with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service staff in Washington, DC for a discussion and overview on USDA activities in Iraq and Afghanistan and possible ASTA plans to utilize Emerging Market Program funds in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. Feb. 20. ASTA Staff, Andy LaVigne, Bernice Slutsky and Ric Dunkle met with officials of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Alan Green and Bill Thomas, to discuss needs and issues of concern to ASTA members. Among issues discussed were future workshops with APHIS on permitting and pest risk analysis, international seed movement issues, the National Seed Health System (NSHS) and status and timetables for revising quarantine and permitting regulations. Feb. 20. ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne and Senior Director for Seed Health and Trade Ric Dunkle met with Iowa Agricultural Commissioner Bill Northey to discuss an emerging state issue involving differences in standards for regulating seed count and labeling between the seed industry practice outlined by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) and those by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). The different standards provide for differences in allowable tolerances for seed count and weight. The problem arises when the differences between AOSA and NIST, for example seed count in soybeans, are substantial. "We will be working with our members and the commissioner's office to help resolve the problem," remarked LaVigne. Feb. 20. ASTA Vice President for Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky chaired a conference call of the International Seed Federation's Adventitious Presence (AP) Working Group. The purpose of the call was to discuss the status of the Seed Low Level Presence (LLP) project in the Organisation of Economic and Cooperation Development and to develop an outreach strategy. Feb. 20-22. ASTA Southeastern Regional Vice President Terry Dulaney and Director of State Affairs Pat Miller attended the 64th Annual Convention of the Mississippi Seedsman's Association (MSA) in Tunica, Miss. The program featured seminars on production issues, including updates by both ASTA and the Southern Seed Association. The membership banquet helped to raise $20,000 for the scholarship program to support Mississippi State University students in their pursuits of agricultural degrees. ASTA provided $1,000 for one of the scholarships through its grant matching program. MSA gained 42 new members in the past year. Randy Willis, of Crop Production Services, was elected MSA president for the coming year. Feb. 23. ASTA's President and CEO Andy LaVigne and Vice President for Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky met with the intellectual property leads at CropLife International to discuss coordination of activities in mutual priority markets.
USDA USDA/ARS
USDA/ERS
USDA/FSIS
Click here for a schedule of additional industry events ASTA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact ASTA at (703) 837-8140.
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2nd Seed Congress of the Americas • 127th Annual Convention |