Not intimidated by anti-GMO activists throwing $2000 in “Monsanto Money” on the floor, the U.S. Senate Wednesday voted 65-31 to limit debate on a bipartisan National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard that would preempt individual state laws to require labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients. With cloture invoked, the Senate is expected vote on final passage as early as today. …
35 Years Experience Advocating at #ASTAannual
Today’s news might make you believe the fight against agriculture technology is a modern issue, but Katie Fast of Oregonians for Food and Shelter told an audience at the American Seed Trade Association annual meeting, her organization has been dealing with consumer misinformation since 1980. This grassroots network of farmers and foresters began focusing on the responsible use of resources, crop protection …
Historic #ASTAannual with OSA is a Win-Win
The leadership of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and the Oregon Seed Association (OSA) were all smiles at the Gala Banquet concluding the trailblazing joint annual meeting of the two organizations this week in Portland, Oregon. “This worked out wonderfully,” said OSA president Greg Loberg of West Coast Beet Seed. “We wanted to enhance the partnerships between members of …
#ASTAannual Elects New Leadership
Among all the seminars and committee meetings of the American Seed Trade Association’s annual meeting one of the most important items of business was the election of the officer team for the coming year. They are: • Chair: Mark Herrmann, AgReliant Genetics • First Vice Chair: Tracy Tally, Justin Seeds • Second Vice Chair: Jerry Flint, DuPont Pioneer The 2016-2017 …
Reconnecting with Zimmie at #ASTAannual
You may remember seeing stripes when ZimmComm attended the National Agri-Marketing Association earlier this year – stripes that looked a lot like a giant stuffed zebra. Zimmie the Zebra made many appearances on Twitter during the event until, at last, Casey Zeller and Samantha Bock with AgReliant Genetics were declared the winner and took Zimmie on to her new home. Unfortunately, …
Senate Committee to Vote on Plant Genetics Treaty
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee will be voting today on one of the the American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) top legislative priorities – the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. ASTA is urging the Committee to vote in favor of the Treaty to move it forward to the full Senate for ratification. ASTA president and …
Mukuka Talks Food Security at #ASTAannual
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 …
Soil Health Institute at #ASTAannual
The cover crops session at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) annual meeting in Portland, Oregon heard about a new initiative focused on soil health – the Soil Health Institute. Dr. Wayne Honeycutt, who was Deputy Chief for Science and Technology for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, is president and CEO of the group that is working to protect and …
Supporting Future #Seed Researchers
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 …
#ASTAannual Selects New IEC Chair
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 …