The American Seed Trade Association has had a Biotechnology Committee for two decades, but as it is now the Innovations and Policy Committee. Pictured here from the ASTA annual meeting are immediate past committee chair Keith Newhouse with Winfield Solutions and current chair Mark Krieger of Dow AgroSciences who presided at the first meeting of the committee under the new … Read More
ASTA Urges Congress to Ratify Plant Treaty
You may have never heard about the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture but the multi-lateral agreement is considered crucial in the fight against global hunger and poverty. “The treaty is an international regime where countries decided that we needed to do something about conserving and sustainably using plant genetic resources for food and agriculture,” said … Read More
Students Honored for Research at ASTA
College students from across the country had the opportunity to enter American Seed Trade Research Foundation’s Operation Student Exchange. The winning student was announced during a Future Seed Executives 10th Anniversary Reception at ASTA’s recent annual meeting. Leah Ruff’s poster presentation and research was selected this year’s winner and she received the Roger Kruegar Scholarship. The scholarship honors the late … Read More
ASTA First and Second Vice Chairs
The new officer slate for the American Seed Trade Association includes first vice chair Risa DeMasi of Grassland Oregon and second vice chair Mark Herrmann with Monsanto’s vegetable seed division. DeMasi has the distinction of being the first woman officer of ASTA and her company is very involved in the development of new cover crop species. With her leadership, ASTA … Read More
Advocacy is Priority for New ASTA Chair
John Schoenecker of HM Clause is the new chairman of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) after elections were held at the annual meeting in Indianapolis last week. “As I become chair, one of my focuses will be advocacy,” Shoenecker said in an interview. “That’s part of our strategic plan, something we need to do to get the word out … Read More
FuSE Celebrates 10 Years of Training Young Seed Execs
During the 131st American Seed Trade Association’s Annual Convention in Indianapolis, IN. the Future Seed Executives (FuSE) held a joint FuSE/Management Skills committee meeting focused on the Power of Inclusive Leadership. I spoke with FuSE founder and Vice President, Business Development for Gro Alliance, Jim Schweigert, and he shared what lead him to start this group for young professionals in … Read More
Top Researchers Share Insights on Food Security
Two World Food Prize winners shared their insights and experiences during a general session at the 131st American Seed Trade Association’s Annual Convention. Each shared what the seed trade industry can do to help feed the growing global population while sitting on a panel and taking questions from attendees. Professor Emeritus of Food Science at Purdue University, Dr. Phillip Nelson, … Read More
ASTA Gets Green Flag at Indy
American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) chairman Craig Newman of AgReliant Genetics is pleased with the turnout and the mood of at the 131st ASTA annual convention this week in his home town of Indianapolis. “First time it’s ever been in Indianapolis and this is kind of the crossroads of America, plus it’s the crossroads of American Seed Trade Association because … Read More
Seed Treatment Stewardship Promoted at Classic
We first heard about “The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship” last year at Commodity Classic. The second phase roll out of the guide – produced by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) in collaboration with organizations like the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association and American Farm Bureau – began this year and we heard more about it from … Read More
Hick Chick Chat with Precision Hawk
When I attended the American Seed Trade Association CSS and expo in Chicago, I was live tweeting some of the events and had some interaction with Precision Hawk. I wasn’t familiar with them so I decided to check them out. Through conversation, I got a chance to talk with their COO Pat Lohman in this week’s edition of the Hick … Read More