American Seed Trade Association

Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of over 700 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues related to the development, marketing and movement of seed, associated products and services throughout the world.

Membership

ASTA’s membership roster includes active members that are directly involved in seed production or distribution and research and development; corresponding members that produce or distribute seed outside of North America; affiliate members that are related associations and agencies; reciprocal members; and associate members that provide products or services for the seed industry. Ninety-five percent of ASTA’s active members are small businesses that report annual sales of less than $15 million. Most active, affiliate, and associate members of ASTA are headquartered in North America, predominantly in the United States. ASTA values and promotes diversity of membership, in terms of company size, products and geographic area served. Each member company is given one vote, regardless of size.

Initiatives

Among ASTA’s many current initiatives to serve the seed industry are:

''The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship'' – In partnership with CropLife America, ASTA has developed a comprehensive guide for the safe handling and transport of treated seed to prevent potential risks to the environment.

''First the Seed Foundation (FTSF)'' — FTSF is a not-for-profit organization established in 2008 by ASTA to inform today’s consumers and tomorrow’s workforce about the importance of the seed industry. Its mission is to conduct education, outreach and communication on the value European_Seed_Association_(ESA)_and_the_official_US_and_EU_delegations_to_discuss_the_industry's_interest_in_the_ongoing_Transatlantic_Trade_and_Investment_Partnership_(TTIP)__negotiations.

_Leadership

ASTA_is_driven_by_its_membership,_which_is_represented_by_a_board_of_directors_composed_of_a_15-member_executive_committee,_all_past-presidents_of_the_association,_division_chairs,_up_to_three_directors-at-large,_chairs_of_the_International_and_Legislative_&_Legal_Concerns_Committees,_and_ASTA_representatives_to_the_Canadian_Seed_Trade_Association_and_Mexican_Seed_Trade_Association._The_executive_committee_is_composed_of_the_association’s_president,_first_vice_president_and_second_vice_president;_three_most_recent_past-presidents;_regional_vice_presidents,_representing_U.S._northeast,_southeast,_southern,_central,_north_central,_northwestern_and_western_regions;_and_vice_presidents_from_Canada_and_Mexico.

The_current_chairman_of_the_ASTA_Board_is_Wayne_Gale_of_Stokes_Seeds._Andrew_W._LaVigne_has_been_the_president_and_chief_executive_officer_of_ASTA_since_2005.

_Annual_meetings

ASTA_hosts_several_industry_meetings_every_year:

The_Corn_&_Sorghum_Seed_Research_Conference_(CSS);_Soybean_Seed_Research_Conference:_and_Seed_Expo
First_held_in_the_mid-1900s,_ASTA’s_annual_CSS_&_Seed_Expo_draws_seed_breeders,_growers_and_distributors_and_seed_equipment_manufacturers_to_Chicago_each_December_for_a_major_sales_and_information_exchange.

The_Vegetable_&_Flower_Seed_Conference
For_over_50_years,_produce_and_floral_seed_industry_professionals_have_been_meeting_each_January_–_in_various_Southern_and_Western_resort_locations_–_to_exchange_research_information,_to_discuss_policies_and_regulations,_and_to_sell_and_purchase_seed.

Farm_&_Lawn_Seed_Conference
ASTA’s_annual_fall_conference_in_Kansas_City_is_held_in_conjunction_with_the_Western_Seed_Association’s_annual_meeting.

_References

_External_links

*{{Official_website.html" ;"title="ESA European Seed Association">European Seed Association (ESA) and the official US and EU delegations to discuss the industry's interest in the ongoing Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations.

Leadership

ASTA is driven by its membership, which is represented by a board of directors composed of a 15-member executive committee, all past-presidents of the association, division chairs, up to three directors-at-large, chairs of the International and Legislative & Legal Concerns Committees, and ASTA representatives to the Canadian Seed Trade Association and Mexican Seed Trade Association. The executive committee is composed of the association’s president, first vice president and second vice president; three most recent past-presidents; regional vice presidents, representing U.S. northeast, southeast, southern, central, north central, northwestern and western regions; and vice presidents from Canada and Mexico.

The current chairman of the ASTA Board is Wayne Gale of Stokes Seeds. Andrew W. LaVigne has been the president and chief executive officer of ASTA since 2005.

Annual meetings

ASTA hosts several industry meetings every year:

The Corn & Sorghum Seed Research Conference (CSS); Soybean Seed Research Conference: and Seed Expo
First held in the mid-1900s, ASTA’s annual CSS & Seed Expo draws seed breeders, growers and distributors and seed equipment manufacturers to Chicago each December for a major sales and information exchange.

The Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference
For over 50 years, produce and floral seed industry professionals have been meeting each January – in various Southern and Western resort locations – to exchange research information, to discuss policies and regulations, and to sell and purchase seed.

Farm & Lawn Seed Conference
ASTA’s annual fall conference in Kansas City is held in conjunction with the Western Seed Association’s annual meeting.

References

External links

*{{Official website">http://www.betterseed.org/

Seed associations
Agricultural organizations based in the United States
Organizations established in 1883
1883 establishments in the United States