 |
 |
|
May 14, 2008
Historical Countdown to the 125th Anniversary Annual Convention (Part 3 of 5). As ASTA continues to prepare for its 125th Annual Convention this June, a celebration 125 years in the making, this special Seed E-News series highlights the Association's rich history. ASTA's first pictorial history book, 125 Years of the American Seed Trade Association, will debut at the convention, within which the Association's 125 years of history are segmented into five 25-year periods. In this third installment, the third chapter of this rich history is featured, leading up to a grand retrospective celebration at the convention itself. To register for ASTA's 125th Anniversary Annual Convention, click here.
Part Three: Deepening Roots 1933 - 1958 During World War II, many people migrated from rural areas to U.S. cities, where industrial jobs related to the war effort were readily available. But as the United States recovered from war, it became increasingly popular to move away from cities into the surrounding areas, which were neither rural nor urban, but suburban. In the postwar years, American citizens enjoyed economic success, in part because demand for goods from the United States, a country comparatively untouched by war, remained high. The growing popularity of suburbs and a suburban style of living in the United States - with the accompanying lawns, flowers, and gardens - created a much higher demand for seeds of this type. Business for lawn and garden seed companies soon boomed and in the early 1950s, ASTA established a special committee specifically committed to lawn and turf seed. By 1957, this committee had become the Lawn and Turfgrass Division. One curious result of the war was that in 1945, for the first time since its organization 63 years before, ASTA held no general annual meeting of its membership. Instead, in Chicago, from May 31 through June 2, the Executive Committee and other committees met. ASTA's records for that year do not include a report of the annual convention, just a Report of Activities, which states:
Seed Industry Honors Dr. Roger Krueger.
Important Deadlines Fast Approaching for the 125th Annual Convention. ASTA's 125th Annual Convention, being held June 21-25, 2008, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., is only a little over five weeks away! Several important deadlines are approaching in May. On May 15, prices increase on the cost of exhibit booths at the convention, and currently only five exhibit locations remain available. May 20 is the last day to reserve a hotel room at ASTA's group rate of $195 per night at the Gaylord Palms. Those requesting early arrivals or late departures may already face issues with availability. If this is the case, please contact Jennifer Lord if you should need further assistance after contacting the hotel. Finally, early registration rates expire on May 31, after which registration increases $100 (youth increases by $50). Make your arrangements early for the best savings on your trip to Orlando!
Associates Division Meeting Undergoes Facelift. The Associates Division meeting at ASTA's 125th Annual Convention in Orlando will be a vastly different format than its regular meeting. On Monday, June 23 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., a "mixer" will be held by the Associates Division to encourage a more dynamic interactive format for ASTA's supplier-member companies. The event aims to foster better involvement and feedback from this important sector of ASTA's member community, while celebrating the contributions of this segment of the seed industry during the Association's 125th Anniversary. All suppliers and exhibitors are encouraged to attend the Associates Division Mixer, and be sure to bring along your thoughts and ideas for how ASTA can better serve you!
Exciting Agenda Planned for FuSE Educational Unit on May 30. 
The first 2008 Future Seed Executives (FuSE) Educational Unit will be held at Syngenta Seeds in Stanton, Minn., on May 30. Highly popular with participants, the Educational Units provide one-day educational opportunities hosted by ASTA member companies in conjunction with local universities. The agenda for the first Educational Unit is now finalized and can be found here. The seminar will feature a company overview; a session on meeting the global demand for food, feed and fuel; a facility tour; a Harvard University case study (Bunge: Food, Fuel, and World Markets); and numerous networking opportunities with other young professionals. Information on airports, lodging and driving directions are now posted. Please click here to download the document. An optional social event will also be held on Thursday, May 29. This networking dinner will take place at Fermentations Bistro in Dundas (located approximately three miles from the hotel). Please note that the FuSE Educational Unit is filling up quickly, and registrations must be received in the ASTA office by Wednesday, May 21. Click here to register for the event. Should you have any questions about the upcoming Educational Unit, please contact Jason Laney.
Support the Future Seed Executives Program: Become a Sponsor Today. The Future Seed Executives (FuSE) initiative is excited to begin its third year of cutting edge programming geared towards the next generation of seed industry professionals. FuSE has held more than 10 successful Educational Units at ASTA member companies, numerous Round Table Discussion Groups by teleconference on pressing industry issues and recently launched its Campus Connections program to provide grants to undergraduate students to attend the ASTA Annual Convention. Formed from the Management Skills Committee, the FuSE Sub-Committee is excited about what is in store for the future as it continues to enhance its programming and outreach efforts. More than 85 percent of FuSE's operating expenses are covered by sponsorships from ASTA member companies, and the committee hopes that you will consider becoming a sponsor to continue this valuable programming. FuSE sponsors receive a great deal of recognition throughout the year, with a number of different sponsorship levels to suit any company. To view the 2008-09 sponsorship menu, please click here. If your company would like to become a sponsor, please contact Jason Laney.
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Farm Bill. On May 14, the U.S. House of Representatives by a margin of 318-106 passed H.R. 2419, the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. The Senate is expected to follow with its vote later on May 14. It is widely expected that the Senate will pass the measure. President Bush has issued a formal veto threat. The House will vote to override the veto and is expected to prevail, as 290 votes are needed. To view a copy of the Conference Report, visit the following link.
New Jersey's Department of Agriculture Averts Dissolution. The New Jersey Governor pulled the option of the state's Department of Agriculture from dissolution or consolidation, at least for the current budget session. Earlier this year, the Garden State's primary agricultural agency was offered up by the Governor as an option to save $525,000 of the state budget; either through consolidation with another state agency or distribution of their services to multiple agencies. More than 1000 farmers and 100 tractors showed up at the door step of the Capitol of New Jersey, a demonstration aimed to keep the agency. As a result of the uproar from New Jersey's agricultural community which was led by the state's Farm Bureau, the Governor declared on April 15 that the option was off the table. However, the agency has been directed to cut their budget 14-18%, substantially more than the 6% being asked of the other state agencies.
Held May 6-9 in Gleneden, Ore., the agenda offered committee updates, educational programs on bees and biofuels, as well as entertainment and a golf tournament. This year's program also included a karaoke contest benefiting the PSA scholarship program - with seed industry seeing the likes of Elvis, Frank, Merle and Wilie! An overview of ASTA activities and a state and national legislative update was presented by ASTA representatives, Northwest Regional Vice President Kevin Turner of The Scotts Company and Director of State Affairs Pat Miller. Hosted by PSA President Ron Brandt of Van Dyke Seed Company, this was the last summer conference for the organization. The next conference, Jan. 13-15, 2009, to be held in San Diego, will become the annual conference from this point forward. PSA also announced new leadership and recognized contributions by its members. Chuck Deatherage, Seed Services in Fresno, Calif., was elected president for the coming term, and Duane Klundt, The Scotts Company, was elected first vice president. Richard Peschka, VDS Farms, Inc., was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership to the PSA in recognition of his past service to the organization.
Upcoming World Seed Congress will Aid ASTA Activities.
ASTA Commits to China Seed Expo 2008. ASTA plans to participate in the China Seed Expo in Shenyang from Sept. 10-12, 2008. This Expo is supported by China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) as well as The People's Government of Liaoning Province and is being organized by the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center (of the MOA) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The Expo will provide ASTA members and staff an opportunity to participate in event programs and house an ASTA booth to distribute informational materials on the U.S. seed industry, intellectual property rights and plant variety protection. Mr. Qian Keming, director general of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center informed ASTA that, "[At the China Seed Expo 2008] we will be honored by the attendance of government VIPs including Vice Ministers of Agriculture of China and also the officials at the Vice Governor level from Liaoning Province where the Seed Expo will be held." As of print, the Expo already has about 30 exhibiting companies in trade, seed research, production, marketing, machinery and chemicals, including ASTA members Harris Moran Seed Company, Monsanto Co., Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl. and Syngenta. Many others from the international and domestic trade arena will be present as well. Over 60 trading associations and companies from 17 countries have been invited to participate, and roughly 120 groups from the Chinese domestic market have confirmed their presence at the Expo representing trade in cereal crops, corn, cotton, oil plants, vegetables, fruits, pastures and turfs, flowers, woods, seed coatings, agrichemicals, processing and packing machinery, testing equipment, breeding methodology, media, consultations, etc. Although ASTA will represent the U.S. seed industry with a booth during the Expo, members are encouraged to consider participating as well. For more information on the Expo, please visit the China Seed Expo website at www.chinaseedexpo.com.cn/english/, or to find out how you and your company can participate in the Expo through ASTA, please contact Lisa Nichols.
Agriculture Loses Export Market Pioneer. Delmar Glen "Bill" Nelson, 83, of Amarillo, Texas, died May 3, 2008. In 1958, he founded the Texas Grain Sorghum Association and later founded the Texas Wheat Producers Association and Board. Nelson was also instrumental in building the then U.S Feed Grains Council after initiating the first contract for the development of foreign markets for the U.S. feed grains between the USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service and the Grain Sorghum Producers Association. During the spring of 1960, Nelson and other founders formed a planning committee and drew up a formal prospectus for the U.S. Feed Grains Council, which held its first membership meeting in June 1960. He traveled to 65 countries and five continents, meeting with dignitaries and ambassadors and educating them on trade relations, transport issues, duties and tariffs, as well as U.S. and foreign trade policies. ASTA and its members extend our condolences to his family.
JGL, Inc. announced that Cassie Haskett of Westfield, Ind., has joined the JGL team of licensing executives. Working out of the Plymouth office, Haskett will service part of the Eastern Cornbelt including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin. She is a Purdue University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy and Associate of Science in Agricultural Economics. Her previous work experience includes Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and AgReliant Genetics, LLC.
"Blue Revolution" by Performance Plants Inc. Published in Science Magazine. The article, featured in the April 11 edition, discusses seed technologies which address global water issues. The full article can be accessed through www.sciencemag.org. A summary follows: Feeding a growing population in a world of spreading deserts and diminishing fresh water resources is no small endeavor. Indeed, a 'blue revolution' to confront global water issues has been called for by Kofi Annan, the former UN General Secretary. The basis of the blue revolution is the creation of drought-resistant crops. However, this is not an easy task. Although plant scientists have been identifying the many genes involved in shaping a plant's need for water and its ability to cope with drought, they have not yet succeeded in translating their work into hardier crops. A few research institutes and companies are seeking the holy grail of water-preservation the other way around - by looking at plants that can withstand drought and determining the key genetic differences with their water-wasting kin. Researchers at Monsanto permanently turned on one such drought-resistant gene and created a line of maize that produced up to 15% more grain under field stress. Performance Plants Inc., a Canadian biotechnology company, is field-testing several crop species that always maintain high yields by enhancing the plant's natural drought response. This involves controlling the closure of plant stomata - the tiny but numerous apertures that are the plant's main conduit of water loss. Another stomata-closing technology from the Chinese National Center for Plant Gene Research has produced rice that grows up to 34% more grains under drought than un-modified rice. In addition, Australia's Molecular Plant Breeding CRC is mingling up to six different genes to create drought-resistant wheat lines. These efforts will eventually result in plants that minimize agricultural water use and, in the spirit of the blue revolution, make crops 'greener.'
CropLife International Offers Online Biotech Benefits Database. The Biotech Benefits Database now contains over 80 published papers and reviews that demonstrate the benefits associated with the use of agricultural biotechnology products. The database is an online, searchable collection of papers that CropLife International has also shared through the Biosafety Information Resource Center of the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH), an information exchange mechanism established by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to assist Parties with the implementation of the treaty's provisions to facilitate sharing of information on and experiences with biotechnology. All papers included in the database have either been published in peer-reviewed journals or have been prepared by organizations that have summarized peer-reviewed studies. The Biotech Benefits Database can be accessed through http://croplife.intraspin.com/Biotech/ or CropLife's Web site at www.croplife.org.
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.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seeds are small things. They are potential for change; their truest function is to adapt and grow, becoming something else, taking on different shapes and sizes, bringing color and nourishment into our lives, and ultimately, giving themselves up so we can use their goodness and potential to help us thrive. Dr. Roger Krueger, from Monsanto Company, was just such a seed. His professional career was devoted to seeds, and he passionately advocated the role of science in feeding the world. He lived to make the world a better place and to make agriculture more able to feed the world. Seeds are small things, but as Roger's colleagues, friends and family all testify, this seed we knew as Roger Krueger was a small thing done with great love. The Roger Krueger Scholarship Endowment has been established by the 
The 2008 International Seed Federation (ISF) World Seed Congress will be held in Prague, Czech Republic, from May 26-29. ASTA staff, President & CEO Andy LaVigne, Vice President of Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky, Senior Director of Seed Health and Trade Ric Dunkle and Director of International Programs Lisa Nichols will attend the Congress as well as pre-Congress meetings in Prague along with many ASTA members and ISF committee representatives. ISF is the international organization of national seed trade associations. In addition to the meetings scheduled within the ISF program, this Congress provides a great opportunity to meet with other national seed associations with which ASTA has ongoing collaborations and to explore new areas to work together on in the future. While at the Congress, ASTA staff will meet with the African Seed Trade Association, the Asia and Pacific Seed Association, as well as with the Seed Association of the Americas. "ASTA is fortunate to have active participation of our members in ISF," said LaVigne. "ASTA has strong representation on all ISF sections, committees and the ISF Board of Directors. This representation is important to the priorities of the US seed industry." For more information, please contact 
JGL, Inc. Hires Additional Licensing Executive for Eastern Cornbelt. 
 |
Grain Handler's Database • National Seed Health System • CSS 2007 & Seed Expo • Annual Convention • World Seed Congress |