Food Security Highlighted at #ASTAannual

Kelly MarshallAg Group, ASTA, Food, Security

For most of us, a lack of food security isn’t so much a problem as it is a distant possibility. For many on the African continent, however, food security is still an awaited hope. John Mukuka attended the American Seed Trade Association event from Africa to share the important message of what is being done to replace hope with reality. Mukuka works … Read More

#GMO Labeling Compromise Reached

Cindy ZimmermanASTA, Audio, biotechnology, GMO, Government

Leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday announced a bipartisan compromise on GMO labeling legislation in advance of the pending implementation of a state law in Vermont. “Our marketplace – both consumers and producers – needs a national biotechnology standard to avoid chaos in interstate commerce,” said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) about the compromise reached with Ranking … Read More

#ASTAannual Supports Future of #Seed Industry

Cindy ZimmermanASTA, Audio, Research, seed

The future of the seed industry is in good hands if the students who are attending this year’s American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) annual meeting are any indication. ASTA has a strong interest in encouraging young people pursuing careers in the industry in a number of ways, from programs that mentor students to supporting the efforts of the American Seed … Read More

#ASTAannual Addresses Food Security

Kelly MarshallAg Group, ASTA, Food, Security

For most of us, a lack of food security isn’t so much a problem as it is a distant possibility. For many on the African continent, however, food security is still an awaited hope. John Mukuka attended the American Seed Trade Association event from Africa to share the important message of what is being done to replace hope with reality. Mukuka works … Read More

Withers Leads #ASTAannual International Committee

Kelly MarshallAg Group, ASTA, Audio, International

Karen Withers will be taking the reins for American Seed Trade Association’s  International Executive Committee for the coming year. Withers works for Pennington Seed handling their international sales, so she’s well versed in trials and tribulations that come with work on the international level.  She’s also had two years serving the committee as vice chair, joining the year before that as … Read More

#ASTAannual Members Honored

Kelly MarshallAg Group, ASTA, seed

When it comes to volunteering and service there are some people who just seem to stand out. Here at the American Seed Trade Association annual meeting the board took the opportunity to honor a few of those people and thank them for the contributions they’ve made to the industry. Mike Gumina was recognized with the ASTA Lifetime Honorary Member Award. Gumina … Read More

Space May Offer New Seed Tech- at #ASTAannual

Kelly MarshallAg Group, ASTA, Audio, Research, seed

If NASA is looking for extraordinary out in space, CASIS is looking for extraordinary right here on earth. The Center for Advancement of Science in Space manages the laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS), providing resources needed to launch research and innovation that comes from experiments in micro gravity. Breakthroughs in space often lead to breakthroughs on earth. Here … Read More

#ASTAannual Celebrates Achievement of Past President

Kelly MarshallAg Group, ASTA, Award

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) instituted a new award at the 133rd annual meeting in Portland, Oregon this year, the Lifetime Industry Achievement Award, and the first honoree is Dr. Owen Newlin, retired from DuPont Pioneer. Presenting the award, ASTA Chair Risa DeMasi called Newlin a legend in the industry. “When someone spends a lifetime, more than 50 years, … Read More

Opening Remarks at #ASTAannual from Krysta Harden

Kelly MarshallAg Group, ASTA, seed

Attendees of the American Seed Trade Association were privileged to hear, not just a great speaker, but someone who has a lot of experience in the agriculture industry. Krysta Harden recently made the move to chief sustainability officer at DuPont from her previous position as deputy secretary of the USDA. Her experience has taught her a thing or two about … Read More

Getting Social with @Better_Seed at #ASTAannual

Kelly MarshallAg Group, ASTA, Audio, seed, social media

As the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) 133rd annual meeting kicked off in Portland, Oregon over the weekend, the Management Skills Committee focused on using social media to fight the spread of misinformation about agriculture and technology. Jim Schweigert, president of Wisconsin-based Gro Alliance, started off the social media session by presenting a montage of tweets and Facebook posts deriding … Read More