Distinguished Service and Lifetime Honorary Member awards were presented by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) during the closing banquet on Friday night.
Honored for distinguished service to the seed industry were retired DuPont Pioneer quality supply technology manager Greg Lamka, and Betsy Peterson of the California Seed Association. Lamka, who was unable to attend to receive his award in person, retired after a 22 year career with Pioneer and still serves as a consultant in the seed industry. Peterson has been director of technical services with the California seed group for the past 13 years but will be retiring June 30 to pursue her first love – textiles design.
Jerry Monk of Warner Seeds received the lifetime honorary award in recognition for his service to ASTA and the seed industry. As a 44-year veteran of the industry, Monk is a past president of ASTA and current president of the Seed Association of the Americas. He began his career with Kelly Green Seeds in 1971, bought the company in 1984, acquired George Warner Seed Company in 1999 and Semillas WAC in 2001. He has since expanded the company into Central and South America.