ASTA’s CSS & Seed Expo 2021 is less than a week away but there is still time to register to attend, in-person or virtually, the nation’s largest seed industry conference, Dec. 6-9 in Chicago.

Recent additions to the program include a panel discussion on Monday exploring the rapidly growing topic of plant-based proteins. “It’s a growing business and somebody’s going to have to provide the seed for those beans, peas and lentils, and it’s going to come from the seed industry,” said American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CEO Andy LaVigne during an interview at the recent NAFB Trade Talk.

LaVigne talks about some of the current issues facing the seed industry and how many of them will be topics at the CSS & Seed Expo. This year’s conference offers an all-new “Villages” concept, showcasing interactive programming in the following key areas: ag tech innovation, operations and logistics, career skills and research/lab facilities, and treated seed. The Seed Expo’s “Field Village” offers a first-hand look at the latest in large field equipment, seed sorting and processing and seed logistics and packaging.