Future Seed Executives (FuSE)

Welcome | Who We Are | 2010 Year in Review | Upcoming Events | Educational Units | Discussion Group
Campus Connections | Sponsors | Testimonials | News

Educational Units

• BioDiagnostics, Incorporated.- The BioDiagnostics, Inc. Ed Unit provided not only a look inside the company’s seed testing lab, but also presentations from their in-house experts and guest presenter Dr. Rex Bernardo, professor and endowed chair in corn breeding and genetics at the University of Minnesota.
• Monsanto Company- The Ed Unit hosted by Monsanto Company was the first Ed Unit that the FuSE Committee has ever jointly hosted and partnered with the Canadian Seed Trade Association, focusing on international trade issues and solutions between the United States and Canada. This event was a unique experience for participants and a progressive and encouraging accomplishment for the FuSE Committee
• Nunhems USA, Inc.-Unfortunately the Nunhems USA, Inc. event was cancelled in August of 2010. While this was a disappointment for FuSE, it caused the committee to reevaluate programming and communication strategies, strengthening the goal of improving our member services for 2011 and beyond. The committee looks forward to re-scheduling this event in 2011.

New! FuSE Sub-Committees

In the 2010 calendar year the FuSE Organizing Committee, which operates as the committee’s planning team, developed five sub-committees to both increase involvement opportunities for FuSE members as well as to enhance our programs. These sub-committees will spear head the planning and execution of FuSE events, networking and meet the ever changing needs of young professionals in the seed industry. The sub-committees include:

• Campus Connections, Chair, Cassie Misch, JGL, Inc.
• Recruitment, Chair, TJ Strachota, Dairyland Seed Co.,Inc.
• Communications, Chair, Paige Collette, Issues Ink
• Educational Units, Chair, Katie Gutzman, Greenleaf Genetics LLC
• Round-Table Discussion Groups, Chair, Bob Yaklich, BASF The Chemical Company
• Industry Relations, Chair, Rob Thurston, Thurston Genetics
• Sponsorship, Chair, Liz Pestow, Indiana Crop Improvement Association

Campus Connections

Four years and running, the FuSE Campus Connections program, introduces undergraduate students to ASTA and to the industry by sponsoring their attendance at the Annual Convention. We received a diverse and impressive 10 applications for the 2010 Campus Connections program this year. The generous support of our sponsors enabled us to bring six students to the 2010 Annual Convention in San Antonio. For the first time at an Annual Convention, FuSE hosted a panel discussion between the Campus Connections students and three leaders in the seed industry. The focus of the discussion was “Attracting, Retaining and Developing Talent.” The meeting provided a lively dialogue between the two groups and received positive feedback from all who participated and were able to attend. The Campus Connections students were:

• Lauren Haase, Purdue University
• Matthew Mattia, Iowa State University
• Peter Thome, University of Wisconsin, River Falls
• Michael Fosdick, Iowa State University
• Ben Merritt, Texas A&M University
• Sarah Jane Neuharth, California State University, Chico

ASTA Meetings

The FuSE Committee continued to have a presence the ASTA conventions and meetings including the 2010 Annual Convention, Lawn and Farm Seed Conference, Corn, Sorghum and Soybean Conference and the 2011 Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference. Either in the form of a booth, a lounge, meetings and receptions, FuSE provided a meeting place for young seed industry professionals to network, discuss issues and spread the committee’s message and mission.