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July 1, 2009
126TH ANNUAL CONVENTION "BRIGHTENS YOUR FUTURE WITH ASTA"
As ASTA members gathered for the 126th Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., from June 20-24, 2009, the world is in a different place than only a year ago. In 2007 and 2008, the news was filled with questions of agriculture's ability to meet the growing demand of the world. Agriculture was booming, and this boom in agriculture meant a boom in the seed industry. The question of the day was "Could the agriculture industry produce enough to feed, clothe and fuel for all?" The seed industry was the key to meeting these demands and growing needs because the industry is committed and continues to invest in bringing more technology, more innovation to the way ASTA members do business, to the way growers do business. The agriculture industry enjoyed stability while the housing market slumped, financial institutions struggled, gas prices increased and consumers grew weary. People need to eat and a percentage of income is always directed toward foodstuffs. Safely, one can say, in relative terms, the seed industry, and agriculture in general, are in pretty good shape, and better than most. However, the last 12 to 18 months has demonstrated how quickly a boom can be a bust, even if an industry has not seen the same downturn as others. The seed industry must always be aware of the challenges just around the corner, as well as look to the new opportunities that will continue to build the vitality of the industry. ASTA is well positioned to prepare and lead the seed industry through these changing times, through their advocacy for and outreach to its members. ASTA not only represents the interests of the seed industry, working for its members on all issues that lay ahead - both the known and the unknown - but also provides venues, such as the 126th Annual Convention, which provide members with informative sessions, active division and committee meetings and networking opportunities. Essential Information Means Future Business Successes for Attendees ASTA prides itself on being a member-driven organization, and over the years the Annual Convention has evolved from a ceremonial event into a hard-working collection of sessions on a variety of issues of vital importance to a seed company's present and future. Policy decisions and work toward the Association's goals are undertaken by ASTA divisions and committees at the Annual Convention, and in these trying times, it is essential, now more than ever, for every ASTA member's voice to be heard. The convention theme, "Brighten Your Future with ASTA," illuminated the important concept that members truly derive from ASTA what they put into it - participate more, benefit more. The evolution of the convention was truly apparent this year, with the most robust Annual Convention programming ever offered. The Honorable Carlos Gutierrez, former CEO and chairman of the board at Kellogg Company and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, kicked off the event with a keynote address on the domestic and international business issues impacting America's business community. Gutierrez provided an in depth talk of the lessons learned from both public service and private employment in addressing the critical business principle of determining if the next hot issue is an enduring trend or just a fad. Michael Swanson, vice president and agricultural economics for Wells Fargo, provided a thought provoking and yet entertaining overview of the economy and what that means to agriculture. Building on the points made by Swanson, the State of Agribusiness Panel Discussion provided an overview as well as four viewpoints from different sectors within the industry. The panel included: Greg Duerkensen, Kincannon & Reed, LLC, who served as moderator; Fred Luckey, executive vice president for Bunge North America; Theo Freye, executive vice president of marketing and strategy for CLAAS Group; Jim Sullivan, president of International Ingredient Corporation; and Trevor Thorley, COO and executive vice president at Amvac Chemical. All speakers remarked about the increased volatility in the agricultural industry but remained optimistic about the health of the industry. The general sessions rounded out with two focused panels on the value of intellectual property rights (IRP) and sustainability. IPR are a fundamental tool used by developers, both private and public, to allow and promote research to bring further innovation. This session featured the latest research by Dermot Hayes, an economist with Iowa State University, on the relationship between IPR, reinvestment and value - value for the seed company, value to the grower, and ultimately, value to the consumer. Panel members, including June Blalock from USDA's Office of Technology Transfer out of the Agricultural Research Service; Patrick Schnable, a professor with Iowa State University; and Rick Tolman, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association, provided a variety of views that supported IPR and yet looked at how to get technology transferred efficiently and as broadly as possible. The Sustainability Discussion Panel brought together moderator Robynne Anderson, co-head of the business and industry delegation at the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development; Global Director Plant Science and External Research for Mars Inc./Seeds of Change Howard-Yana Shapiro, a founder of the Keystone Project; and Joyce Cacho, chief sustainability officer for Novus International. Panel members provided an overview of their respective experiences and involvement in different sustainability initiatives. How sustainability is addressed in the future has a potentially tremendous impact on the seed industry. It was clear from all panelists that sustainability must encompass many aspects of life, including social, economic, environmental and ecological considerations. To learn more about the three programs featured, please click on the links provided below:
The Annual Convention is Like a Tapping into a Wireless Internet Connection ASTA events not only offer rich programming to help navigate future issues and trends facing the seed industry, but also a variety of venues and opportunities to network with collegues and friends within the seed industry as well as all of agriculture. The Networking Hot Spot and free Business Center and organized social events such as the welcome reception, the Gala and local tours offer many chances to meet new people, reconnect with long-time contacts and have meaningful discussions about what people in the seed industry deal with every day and brainstorm about issues important to the future of the industry. ASTA's 126th Annual Convention did just that - spurred new connections, new thoughts and new information - aimed at building a stronger and more vital seed industry like never before! Don't miss out on the opportunities offered at all ASTA events! Visit ASTA's Meetings Web site, and mark you calendars now for ASTA 127th Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas, on June 26-30, 2010. ASTA NAMES NEW OFFICERS & MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ASTA's 126th Annual Convention included the installation of the 2009-2010 ASTA officers to the Board of Directors. The new officers are as follows:
The ASTA Board of Directors named the following members to serve on the Board of Directors:
RESOLUTIONS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The following resolutions were fully discussed at relevant ASTA division and committee meetings during the 126th Annual Convention. A final review and discussion was held at the Legislative & Legal Concerns Committee, the last meeting of the convention. Three resolutions passed by the Board of Directors include:
ASTA EXTENDS A WARM WELCOME TO 13 NEW MEMBERS ASTA'S Board of Directors approved the membership of 13 companies or organizations on June 25, 2009. New members include the following: Albaugh, Inc.; Appollo Seeds; BCAP Seeds, LLC; California Hybrids; Don Mario Semillas S.A.; Excellence Through Stewardship; Federal Hybrids; F.W. Rickard Seeds; H & A Hybrid Seed; Home Garden Seed Association; Macro Plastics; United Sorghum Checkoff Program; and Vegetable Breeding Institute. ASTA thanks them for their membership and welcomes them to the Association. DR. PETER BRETTING NAMED 2009 RECIPIENT OF ASTA'S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
On June 22, 2009, ASTA recognized Dr. Peter Bretting for his contributions to the seed industry throughout his career and named him the 2009 recipient of ASTA's Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Bretting is the national program leader for plant germplasm and genomics in USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS). He earned his bachelor's degree at Tulane, a doctorate at Indiana University and post-doctoral research at North Carolina State University. Working in partnership with ASTA, Bretting has long been the voice of reason for key international treaties and negotiations impacting the seed industry. In particular, he has served as a leading advocate, along with ASTA representatives, to ensure reasonable and practical language in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources. While the treaty waits for Senate ratification, ASTA and Bretting work hard to fill the U.S. seat in upcoming meetings and negotiations. Bretting's work extends well beyond the treaty. In a recent magazine interview, he was quoted, "I think the living materials we distribute are more valuable than the gold stored in Fort Knox. The materials in gene banks are integral to our ability to have a secure supply of the food we need as a nation to survive and thrive. This is our insurance policy for unforeseen threats." "Peter is really a special person in the government," said ASTA Past Chairman Harry Collins. "I have worked on several ASTA issues for which we received a great deal of cooperation, information and support from Peter. He has also been very conscientious in informing us of issues which have quietly surfaced and we may have missed. Peter is a very hard working and dedicated employee of USDA. I have traveled with him on several occasions, and I was extremely impressed by the way he functioned and his effectiveness. He is of the highest integrity." ASTA HONORARY MEMBER AWARD BESTOWED ON GABE PATIN
Closing out a year as ASTA chairman, Kelly Keithly had the opportunity and privilege of recognizing Gabe Patin as ASTA's Honorary Member for his achievements and longstanding contributions made to the seed industry. The tradition of selecting an Honorary Member dates back to ASTA's earliest years, and since 1907, ASTA chairman have had the difficult challenge of selecting a single individual whose work and commitment to the seed industry have truly made an impact. The task is especially difficult, considering that there are so many who have contributed in so many ways to our great industry. Past Honorary Members distinguish themselves in many ways - through leadership, vision, service and most importantly, results. Honorary Members truly represent the "best of the best." Keithly chose Gabe Patin to be added to a distinguished and select list of notable past Honorary Members. Known for a career spanning several decades, Gabe Patin is a leader, especially noted for his contributions to the vegetable and flower industry. He was named president and CEO of Sakata Seed America in 1987 until 1998, when he became a senior adviser and consultant to the company. He formerly worked with Northrup King. His leadership within ASTA has included multiple roles, serving on the Board of Directors as Western regional vice-president as well as chairman of the Vegetable and Flower Seed Division. With roots in California, Patin is a Cal Poly graduate and also a past president of the California Seed Association (CSA). He serves on the California State Seed Advisory Board and is a member of the Advisory Council of the Seed Biotechnology Center of University of California - Davis. Gabe continues to contribute to the seed industry as a consultant and actively participates in CSA and ASTA. FIRST THE SEED FOUNDATION LAUNCHES WEB SITE FOCUSING ON SEED INDUSTRY EDUCATION
The First the Seed Foundation announced on June 22, 2009, the launch of its new Web site promoting education and outreach on the importance and value of seeds. The Web site was officially debuted by the Foundation President Thomas F. ("Bud") Hughes of Verdant Partners LLC at ASTA's 126th Annual Convention, where the not-for-profit Foundation itself had been launched one-year prior. The new Web site (www.firsttheseedfoundation.org) will be a tool to advance projects now underway as a result of founding donors who helped established the Foundation's initial funding. The Foundation's first projects include Web-based and multi-media educational curricula on the importance of seeds for grade schools, development of an introductory video on the seed industry's role in American agriculture, the distribution of seed and informational kits to schools and youth organizations and promoting the impacts of quality seeds on every person's life who eats food or uses agricultural products. The mission of First the Seed Foundation is to conduct education, outreach and communication on the value of crops and food produced from seed. "We, as the seed industry, have a great story to tell about our contributions to American agriculture, and ultimately, to the lives of people around the world," said ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne. "The Foundation will provide a platform to educate today's world and tomorrow's work force about the importance of the seed industry." Other events at the convention related to the Foundation included a special children's learning project in which seed education was provided as children planted seeds in flower pots to be used as special centerpieces at the convention's Gala Banquet the next evening. Today's consumer demands healthy food for their bodies, improved feed for livestock, better fiber for the clothes they wear and cleaner fuel for the vehicles they drive. Recent advancements in seed innovation using plant technologies have helped to meet the growing market demand for agricultural products in an efficient and environmentally sustainable way. The progress made by the seed industry in the last 20 years is greater than ever before; however, very few people are aware of the contributions of the industry to their everyday lives or of the wide array of careers available in crop agriculture. Fewer than 2 million Americans are actively engaged in farming, yet agriculture generates some 22 million jobs in the United States, mostly located off-farm. The efficiency of today's U.S. farmers allows this small population to produce 16 percent of the world's food supply, freeing others to pursue different occupations and career paths. Many are not aware of the science and technology that drives agriculture solves its many challenges and offers many opportunities. The highest priority of First the Seed Foundation is the education of today's youth. Future Foundation projects include development of life-sciences curriculum including seeds for high schools, the distribution of career kits for high school and college students, and establishment of important educational partnerships. Tax deductible contributions can be made online or by contacting the First the Seed Foundation, located within the ASTA office. AMERICAN SEED RESEARCH FOUNDATION MARKS 50 YEARS OF SUCCESS
The American Seed Research Foundation (ASRF) commemorated its golden anniversary at the 2009 ASRF Annual Meeting held in conjunction with ASTA's 126th Annual Convention on June 22, 2009. In 1959, the members of ASTA recognized the changing dynamics of agriculture and the seed industry. ASTA forged new ground in all areas from moving their headquarters from Chicago to Washington, DC, to the inception of ASRF. The advances in research and the innovation of the 1950s and 1960s laid the foundation for what was later called the "Green Revolution" which delivered hardy and high yielding seeds to feed the growing and often impoverished people around the world. ASTA remained closely involved with scientific study and advances during these times, and in 1959, ASRF first opened its doors, starting what would become a 50-year success story. The Foundation's primary purpose was to promote research in plant and seed technology that would benefit seed companies, farmers and consumers. Basic research in seed science takes considerable investment in resources and time. Most basic research can not be justified for the individual company, regardless of its size. State and federal experiment stations do some basic research in the area of seed science, but funding and facilities are limited and often prioritized to other activities. One way to increase the knowledge in seed sciences is for the seed industry to directly offer financial support to specific projects to enhance the publicly available information on seed growth and development to be utilized by all in seed research and innovation. The efforts of ASRF have adapted and grown over time, but the mission remains committed to encouraging research in plant and seed biology and to facilitate the transfer of resulting technology to benefit the seed industry, farmers and consumers on a global basis. ASRF has seen many successes in its 50 years. The Foundation has funded 54 project proposals. The total investment of ASRF in support of basic seed research has exceeded $800,000. These funds stimulated other sources of research support, with a three to one multiplier effect, adding another $2.5 million of matching funds provided by other cooperating organizations. ASRF funds have been distributed to 32 public institutions and supported 69 individual seed researchers. "The American Seed Research Foundation has been the catalyst for encouraging investment in basic plant and seed biology research for over 50 years," said Rob Robinson, past ASRF president. "With a 3 to 1 multiplier on dollars invested, ARSF funded research has had a major impact on our understanding of why plants behave as they do. ASRF members, the seed industry and society at large have all greatly benefited from the good work of ASRF." ASRF has expanded its activities to reach deeper into the research community through various initiatives. Operation Student Connection (OSC) is an outreach program begun as a part of the "Re-Energyzing ASRF" strategic planning activities of 2000, which included education as one leading component of ASRF efforts. ASRF assists and encourages graduate students majoring in seed biology or seed science and technology to attend and participate in ASTA's annual convention, thereby sharing valuable insight into the private sector of the seed industry and establishing personal contact with members of the seed trade. Students that have been selected to participate in OSC may have the opportunity to apply for the Roger Krueger Memorial Scholarship, directed toward students in agriculture - the future of the seed industry. ASRF, in partnership with ASTA and the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders (NCCPB), held the first American Seed Research Summit on Sept. 25-26, 2008, in Chicago, Ill. The summit brought together leaders in public and private sector seed research to outline a strategic plan to help address the various hurdles facing seed research - training and education, funding, research trends, prioritization and public-private partnerships. Finding solutions and providing resourceful partnerships is critical because seed innovation and technology play a vital role in meeting the growing demand for food, feed, fiber and fuel. Robinson remarked that the first American Seed Research Summit was a resounding success. "Some of the brightest research leaders in industry, government and academia participated in creating an action plan that promises to move American seed research forward dramatically in the years to come." ASRF also has the legal and administrative structure to disperse such tax deductible contributions that would support research which is aimed at specific segments of the seed industry represented by the various ASTA divisions. In 1991, ASRF assumed responsibility for the administration of the Vegetable & Flower Permanent Research Fund, the Corn Permanent Research Fund, the Soybean Permanent Research Fund and the Fruit Blotch Ad Hoc Research Fund. DIVISION AND COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENTS The ASTA Annual Convention is the only convention of the Association that brings together every one of its commodity divisions, comprising of corn, sorghum, soybean, vegetable, flower, farm and lawn seed, plus brokers, agents, suppliers, students, and all standing committees for concerns in organic seed, biotechnology, stewardship, intellectual property rights, legislative and legal concerns, phytosanitary issues, state and regional issues, and more. The following is a recap of some important highlights ASTA members should be aware of. The Organic Seed Committee designated working group leaders and participants for the Accredited Certifiers Association and a USDA training module; seed coating input material review; and the sunset proposal. ASTA members interested in participating in any of these working groups should contact Lisa Nichols. ASTA sent a letter to AMSAC requesting their partnership in resolving the current issues though respective governments regarding the importation of certified organic seed into Mexico. A State & Regional Association Strategic Issues Briefing was offered to attendees. In addition to an update on general state seed legislative issues and a discussion on the Seed Industry Fly In to Washington, DC, the three hour session included three informative talks aimed to assist local and regional associations in their efforts. These included "New Trends in Meeting Management," "IRS Rules Update and Overview," and "Membership Recruitment Techniques." The Associates Division meeting included a preview of the "Exhibitor Success Center" online training tool for ASTA exhibitor companies and the related exhibit consultations and seminars being provided by Fred Fox of the Exhibitor Institute at the upcoming CSS 2009 and Seed Expo in December. The division also confirmed plans to publish a 2009 edition of the "Supplier's Guide," a directory of all ASTA Associate Members, in Fall 2009 and will explore opportunities to publish this information within ASTA's Web site as well. The Brokers and Agents Division agreed to move forward with the development of a paper and presentation to be utilized ASTA members to provide information to potential customers. The Intellectual Property Rights Committee is seeking participants in an ad hoc working group to discuss options for the disposition of deposited seed from inbred parents of a hybrid when the Plant Variety Protection for that hybrid has expired. It will be important to have members from all of the seed sectors on this group. The Phytosanitary Committee hosted two guest speakers, Paul Eggert, associate deputy administrator of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and Christian Dellis, APHIS senior export specialist, to provide updates within USDA that will impact the seed industry, including noxious weed regulations and other pending proposed changes in its quarantine regulations and new updates to the APHIS electronic phytosanitary certification system. Information was shared on international seed movement issues, the release of new and updated brochures on bacterial fruit blotch of watermelon and bacterial canker of tomato, and the progress being made to add phytosanitary guidelines to the ASTA Guide to Seed Quality Management Practices. A Seed Re-export Mini Workshop was held in conjunction with the Phytosanitary Committee meeting. Panelists discussed the proposed revisions to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standards on phytosanitary certification that deal with re-export, progress by the North American Plant Proterction Organization (NAPPO) Seed Panel on a regional re-export standard and on efforts to coordinate the development of a re-export standard with COSAVE, the South American regional plant protection organization. ASTA was charged to organize an effort to obtain comments and feedback from committee members and use this information to develop a formal response to be sent to the IPPC through APHIS. At the Seed Industry Relations Committee,the Iowa seed count issue was discussed in detail. Iowa regulatory officials are deciding whether to use AOSA rules (which have established biologically based tolerances) or National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) mean allowable variances (which are much narrower) to regulate labels for seed count. A workshop was held in Iowa in May and no guidance has yet been issued on which option Iowa will use. The committee decided to wait until formal guidance is provided before any next steps are determined. Perry Bohn of USDA's Agricultural Markeging Service and Bockhaus of Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont company, provided a report on a recent decision by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to rewrite the rules for the vegetable seed scheme (the U.S. does not participate in this scheme). U.S. vegetable seed industry representatives are needed to participate in this process. Currently only the Netherlands and France are represented in this working group. This issue was also discussed in the Vegetable & Flower Seed Division. A joint meeting of the Corn & Sorghum and Soybean Seed Divisions hosted Chet Boruff, CEO for the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) who provided a brief on the cap and trade bill that passed the House, on June 26, 2009. Boruff effectively outlined the impact of carbon trading and green house gas emission on the seed industry. Dr. Julio Betancourt, U.S. Geological Survey discussed policies affecting native seed and climate change to members of the Environmental and Conservation Seed Committee. The committee discussed next steps in various initiatives of outreach to recruit members and provide information on this segment of the seed industry as well as the committee's next meeting in Kansas City at the Western Seed Association meeting. The Seed Treatment and Environment Committee agreed that ASTA should continue to work with CropLife America's Seed Tag Working Group regarding the dust-off issue and further interactions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Also, ASTA will participate in the upcoming Agricultural Handler Exposure Task Force, L.L.C. (AHETF) Seed Treatment Scoping meeting in July with the EPA ron exposure risk assessment. The Legislative and Legal Concerns Committee heard from USDA's Dr. Richard Payne, chief of U.S. Seed Regulatory and Testing Branch. Dr. Payne updated the group on pending amendments to the Federal Seed Act regulations. The committee also heard state and federal updates from ASTA staff. Resolutions were reviewed and forwarded to the ASTA Board of Directors for consideration. PHOTO GALLERY Look for further announcements on how to access prictures from the 126th Annual Convention and how to register for upcoming ASTA events!
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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129th Annual Convention • 2011 Farm & Lawn Seed Conf. • CSS 2011 & Seed Expo • 51st Vegetable & Flower Seed Conf. |