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Seed E-News
January 11, 2008
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Welcome to ASTA's electronic newsletter 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 the News ...
ASTA to Lend a Green Thumb in Rebuilding New Orleans City Park
As part of the American Seed Trade Association's (ASTA) upcoming Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference in New Orleans, the association will provide an opportunity for its members to give back to this community that continues to work so hard to rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The volunteer project, entitled "ASTA Gives Back," sends a team of ASTA members and conference attendees to the New Orleans Botanical Gardens, within the New Orleans City Park, for an afternoon of replanting a severely damaged section of this once pristine area.
The project, sponsored by W. Atlee Burpee & Co., with additional donations provided by American Takii, Inc., Goldsmith Seeds, PanAmerican Seeds, Seeds of Change, Seeds by Design, and others, will be held on Tuesday, January 22 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., with transportation provided.
The New Orleans City Park, the largest urban park in the country, was not only damaged by Hurricane Katrina, it also suffered tremendous losses in its work force as well. After the hurricane, the park's staff was depleted to only 47 employees, and the park was left in desperate need of volunteer help. Never before has the United States suffered such a severe natural disaster. ASTA is proud to have its members be a part of history by lending our agricultural and horticultural helping hands to the rebirth of this great city.
Participants must indicate in advance their intention to participate. If you wish to take part, but have not yet indicated as such within your 47th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference registration, please email your RSVP by Monday, January 14 to Nikki Clifford.
Last Chance to be a Part of ASTA History
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As part of ASTA's 125th anniversary celebration, a pictorial history book entitled "125 Years of the American Seed Trade Association" is being published, chronicling the association's rich history and highlighting the current year's member companies at its conclusion. ASTA member companies are invited to sponsor a partial-page, anniversary related graphic at the end of this book for $250 per unit. These sponsored messages are available only until January 28, 2008 - contact Jennifer Lord if your company would like to be included in this special section of this publication. The completed book will be available at ASTA's 125th Anniversary Annual Convention, June 21 - 25, 2008, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. |
Featured Speakers at ASTA's 47th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference
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The General Session of ASTA's 47th Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference, being held Thursday, January 24, 2008, in New Orleans, will feature two industry speakers addressing the issue of breeding seeds today for a rapidly changing marketplace. The session will cover how seed breeders can hit the target and provide products that serve the value chain all the way to the consumer. Speakers include Bruce Axtman (pictured at left), President and CEO of the Perishables Group, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in marketing strategies for perishable food items, and Dr. Randal Hauptmann of Fresh Express.
The 47th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference is expected to draw record attendance, with confirmed sponsors and exhibitors already exceeding all previous years in history for the event. The conference is part of ASTA's year-long 125th anniversary celebration. |
Meet These New ASTA Staff Members at the Upcoming Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference
As the seed industry continues to evolve, the ASTA staff is ready to address the many issues that are facing the agricultural community at the state, national and international levels. To continue to be proactive in this ever changing environment, ASTA has recently added several new staff members to complement the efforts already underway to address the many opportunities and challenges facing the seed industry. These new staff members will focus on communications, seed health, and international activities.
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Gretchen Flanley, Vice President of Communications, comes to ASTA from the U.S. Grains Council where she served as the Director of Biotechnology Programs and was responsible for implementing the Council's efforts related to the acceptance of biotechnology and reducing barriers to trade for grains derived from this technology. Ms. Flanley has also worked for the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Foreign Agriculture Service and Bunge Corporation. |
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Dr. Ric Dunkle, Senior Director of Seed Health and Trade, will join ASTA following 28 years with USDA and 7 years with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. He has spent the last 8 years as the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Deputy Administrator for Plant Protection and Quarantine. In addition to his service at the USDA-APHIS, Dr. Dunkle also worked for the USDA-ARS. With a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of California-Davis, Dr. Dunkle brings a great deal of experience with plant and pest disease issues, import/export regulations, and methodologies impacting the movement of agriculture products both domestically and internationally. |
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Lisa Nichols, Director of International Programs, comes to ASTA from the U.S. Grains Council where she served as Manager of Biotechnology Programs. Prior to working at the Grains Council, Ms. Nichols worked for CropLife America. She earned a B.S. degree in Ecology from Lehigh University and a M.S. degree in Environmental Science and Assessment from the American University in Washington, DC. |
"The addition of Ms. Flanley, Dr. Dunkle and Ms. Nichols to the ASTA team will greatly assist us in meeting the directives of the ASTA Board through the association's strategic plan," said ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne. "Communicating with the seed industry's core constituencies and improving the ability of seed companies to move seed domestically and internationally are fundamental to the continued success of the American seed industry."
State of the States . . . What's Ahead in 2008
All but six states are beginning to "rev-up" for their spring legislative sessions. Even though many of those sessions are solely dedicated to budgetary items; there remains the chance that issues related to the seed industry could emerge. There is a bit of carry-over for many of the onerous bills that were sidelined last year. Here is an overview of the state activity that could affect the seed industry:
Maine – While not new legislation, Maine's approval process of Bt biotech products is certainly high on the list of interest. The state's board of pesticides has been given the authority to promulgate the rules to allow the use of biotech products with Bt protection. Maine is the only state that does not permit use of these products. ASTA has filed comment to keep the board from considering Bt a pesticide (in general). The rules will be finalized on January 25. On the legislative front, LD 1650, the bill introduced last session was tabled and assigned to a working group. The bill primarily attempts to hold a seed company that patented a technology strictly liable for the unintended presence of seeds or plant parts developed through modern biotechnology regardless of the company's role or responsibility in the production of the subject crop. The working group, responsible for the bill, is due to have a draft report on January 25.
Massachusetts – Two bills have been filed on the labeling of genetically modified organisms and assigned to a "study" committee, which could take some time. ASTA will continue to monitor the progress of the bills to see if they gain any traction.
New York – The New York State Farm Bureau has agreed to include seed pre-emption and mandatory arbitration for seed disputes in their priority legislative package this spring. The New York State Seed Association and ASTA have provided that language and support for the bills.
California – The Huffman omnibus anti-biotech bill filed last spring, but tabled until 2008, must be out of the California State Assembly's Committee on Agriculture before January 18 to stay alive. All of California agriculture has been readying for opposition if the bill regains life.
Conclusion
These developments are still early in the process. ASTA will continue to assess state legislative activities for their affect on the industry and continue to work with the state and regional associations to address them as they arise. Bills being monitored will be listed on the ASTA Web site's tracking page to help members watch legislation of interest.
For more information on state affairs, contact Pat Miller.
In Memoriam - Roger Warren Krueger
On December 28, 2007, ASTA and the seed industry lost a close friend when Roger Krueger, Ph.D. passed away at his home in St. Louis, MO. Roger served as the Seed Regulatory and Seed Quality Lead for the Seed Strategy, Seed Quality and Product Stewardship group under the Regulatory Organization at Monsanto. Within Monsanto, Roger also served as Director of Technical/Environmental Stewardship and Global Product Development, Director of Technology Development, Technical Manager for Stewardship of Roundup Ready technology and selective chemistries. Outside his work at Monsanto, Roger was an Executive-in-Residence for the College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources at University of Missouri. Prior to joining Monsanto in 1996, Roger held a range of positions in the agricultural business, including product development, biotechnology strategy, molecular genetics and trait development through genetic engineering and transposon tagging while working at American Cyanamid, Yale University and Dekalb-Pfizer Genetics.
Roger was also an active participant in numerous seed industry organizations and initiatives, including the International Seed Federation (ISF), and served on a number of ASTA Committees, most recently as Chair of the Biotechnology Committee. Roger also was Chair of the ISF Sustainable Agriculture Committee and was a member of the ISF Adventitious Presence Working Group.
While Roger earned many degrees, conducted groundbreaking research, headed up several committees and published numerous articles, his greatest accomplishment and deepest passion was always his family. A celebration of his life was held on Monday, December 31, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Donations can be made to The Family Center, 24 North Gore, Second Floor South, Webster Groves, MO, 63119. Throughout his life, Roger was deeply committed to sustainable agriculture. Donations can also be made to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, 975 North Warson Road, St. Louis, MO, 63132.
Registration Now Open for 2008 ISF World Seed Congress
The International Seed Federation (ISF) World Seed Congress 2008, to be held May 26-28, 2008, offers a unique and exciting opportunity for delegates, as well as accompanying guests, to join together in a convenient and central location in Prague, one of Europe's most beautiful historic cities. Developments such as the increasing global demand for renewable energy, environmental concerns, alternative crop uses, and the positive political changes and economic growth taking place or anticipated in many countries and regions around the world, continue to present their own enormous challenges and opportunities for world agriculture and also for the seed industry.
The global seed industry stands to benefit significantly from these developments, provided it can continue to meet the ongoing and accelerating demand for improved genetics and related cutting-edge technology. The strategic structuring and positioning of the seed industry and many other topics of interest to ISF members will feature prominently in discussions during the various internal meetings at the Congress in Prague. Click here to register for the Congress.
Farmers, Ranchers, and Seed Industry will Gather for the 5th Biennial Organic Seed Growers Conference
For those interested in learning more about the opportunities and challenges in organic seed, the Organic Seed Alliance 5th Biennial Organic Seed Growers Conference is an event not to be missed. The conference will take place at the Salem Conference Center in Salem, Oregon, on February 14-15, 2008. This year the Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) is proud to work with conference partners at Washington State University, Oregon State University, and the Organic Material Review Institute. While the conference has had its home in the Pacific Northwest since its inception in 2000, it has grown from a small regional conference to become the preeminent national conference on organic seed. Farmers, university researchers and students, seed industry professionals, and sustainable food system advocates from throughout the United States, as well as Europe and Latin America, will be participating and presenting.
The conference blends technical sessions on seed production, breeding, and disease issues along with farmer-fostered sessions sharing experience from the field. Click here for a listing of all conference speakers. To become a sponsor, vendor, or find out more about the conference and the other educational and research projects of the Organic Seed Alliance, please click here or call (360) 385-7192.
Company News and People on the Move
INCOTEC, Integrated Coating and Seed Technology, Inc., appoints Mr. Bradley J. Kortsen as Sales and Marketing Manager INCOTEC USA, located in Salinas, California, effective January 1, 2008. In this role, he will be responsible for the management of all sales and marketing activities in North America. He will have direct sales responsibility for all vegetable seed technology sales with INCOTEC customers in the Western United States and Mexico. Fern Larose assumes the position of Senior Account Manager with emphasis on INCOTEC's business in the Eastern United States and Canada. Jeff Weber, Account Manager, continues to focus on film coat liquid sales in the Midwest.
Mr. Kortsen is a 25-year veteran in the vegetable seed business having worked in sales, marketing, and management positions at Asgrow, Seminis, and most recently Enza Coastal Seeds. David Pickenpaugh, President and General Manager of INCOTEC North America, states "We are very fortunate to have Brad join INCOTEC. He brings a high level of experience, integrity, and professionalism to our team and will greatly assist accelerating the development of our business in North America."
STA Laboratories, Inc. announces the appointment of Dr. Gene Hookstra as General Manager of Genetic Services at their headquarters in Longmont, Colorado. Dr. Hookstra will have business development oversight for STA Laboratories' molecular marker, trait, and hybrid purity services. "We are very excited to have Dr. Hookstra join the STA staff." says Darrell Maddox, President. "Gene brings over 25 years of applied breeding and molecular marker knowledge to help us build on current genetic services to agriculture and the seed industry. We continue to help our customer's success by bringing recognized experts, such as Dr. Hookstra, on board."
Dr. Hookstra received his Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Quantitative Genetics from the University of Nebraska in 1982 and worked 11 years in the vegetable seed business as a successful plant breeder, station manager and vice president of research. In 1993, he started working with the Linkage Genetics/Paradigm group providing molecular services to the seed industry and since that time has devoted all of his energies to the successful application of DNA markers in the seed industry. Dr. Hookstra says, "Molecular markers are simply tools which all breeders and seed producers should be familiar and with proper application will help expedite and guarantee success."
Ahern International Seeds is pleased to announce the promotion of Osvaldo Loya to Collections Manager. Loya was previously the Leader of Ahern's Technological Solutions Team and Manager of Logistics Operations in Northwest Mexico, where he oversaw the development of cutting-edge, multinational communications and logistics enhancements for Ahern Seeds. He began working for Ahern International in 1996 and graduated from law school in August 2007 with top honors. "Ahern Seeds is at the top of the industry for good reasons," says Loya. "Not only have we made significant investments in infrastructure over the past years - we have established trust and solid relationships with nearly every major grower of hybrid vegetables in Mexico and Central America. When a grower needs the right seed and the best advice, they come to Ahern."
IJs van Dok, founder of Seed Processing Holland BV, passed away on Tuesday, January 8. In June 2006 a severe disease was diagnosed and a long period of treatments ensued, in which IJs and his family were poised between hope and fear. Finally this disease proved to be fatal. For a period of 35 years, IJs was the General Manager of Seed Processing Holland B.V., and during this period the company specialized in designing and manufacturing equipment for the seed industry. Under IJ's leadership, Seed Processing Holland became a world-wide and highly reputable firm. Initially, IJs focused on technological developments, but in the early 1990s he started to focus more on sales. His market approach, especially concerning customer relations, had a significant impact on the company's current success.
Reserve Your Room Today at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida for ASTA's 125th Annual Convention
As attendance at this year's 125th Annual Convention is shaping up to be record-breaking, be sure to make your reservations today to stay at the convention hotel, the world renowned Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, FL. The luxurious 1,406-room Gaylord Palms Resort, Central Florida's newest destination, celebrates the very best of the Sunshine State inside a spectacular 4.5 acre glass-topped atrium. Resort and guest room themes include festive Key West, historic St. Augustine, and the mysterious Everglades.
Innovative dining options are offered in several critically acclaimed restaurants, including Old Hickory Steakhouse, Villa de Flora Marketplace, and Sunset Sam's Fish Camp. Other amenities include resort-style swimming pools, nightly entertainment, and the legendary Canyon Ranch SpaClub, the most prestigious spa and fitness center in Central Florida. You do not want to miss out on all of the excitement that the convention headquarter hotel has to offer. Click here to reserve your room today at the special ASTA group rate.
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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