Each December, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) hosts America’s largest seed industry convention as the Christmas Season begins traditionally in the Chicago Hyatt Regency at the top of the Magnificent Mile. This year, like everything else since March, the ASTA CSS and Seed Expo was virtual, and that allowed nearly 1000 attendees from around the world to participate and …
ARA Member Programs Help Grow Leaders
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) recognized its Rising Stars Class of 2020 in a video shown from the main stage during the closing session of the ARA Conference & Expo, held virtually on Dec. 1-2. Despite the transition to a virtual ARA Conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ARA Rising Stars were still able to attend educational sessions and expand …
#ASTACSS Content Lives On
The American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo is a wrap, but the content lives on and will lead into the next ASTA conference, the virtual Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference in February. ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne says they had nearly 1000 attendees at the virtual CSS & Seed Expo. “The great thing about virtual is you …
Tom Vilsack Officially Nominated for Ag Secretary
Tom Vilsack has officially been nominated to serve as Secretary of Agriculture in the Biden Administration, reprising the role he held under President Obama for eight years. Vilsack was the only cabinet member to serve all eight years under Obama, and the longest serving Secretary of Agriculture in modern times (James Wilson served for 16 years under three presidents 1897-1913). …
Sen. Pat Roberts Bids Farewell
Sen. Pat Roberts, the Republican from Kansas who has served as a leader in both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees over his four decade career in Congress, said goodbye to his Senate colleagues Thursday in a farewell floor speech. The outspoken senator who helped to write the past eight farm bills spoke about his background, how he went from …
Genome Editing Panel at #ASTACSS
Gene editing is still a relatively new technology but the promise that it holds for future food production continues to grow. It was only four years ago that the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) featured gene editing at the annual CSS and Seed Expo and held a press conference to introduce the technology to media. This year, ASTA CSS offered …
#ASTACSS Sustainability Panel Features Familiar Iowa Farmer
Sustainability is real for Iowa farmer and former National Corn Growers Association president Pam Johnson, a sixth-generation farmer who works with her husband, their two sons and their young families to produce corn and soybeans. “We can see with our own eyes how things have improved and that we’re able to do a better job year after year,” she says. …
ASTA Hires Senate Ag Veteran Janae Brady
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) this week announced Janae Brady as the organization’s new Senior Director of Government Affairs. Brady served on staff for Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry during his time as both Chairman and Ranking Member and she will now lead ASTA’s federal government affairs efforts on behalf of …
Rosy Outlook for Seed Industry From Dan Basse
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS and Seed Expo has seen a number of changes over the years, but Dan Basse of AgResource Company has given his annual agricultural outlook at the event since 2013, and he was there once again this year in the virtual world. Basse is bullish on agriculture for the year ahead. “In my 40 …
Seed Industry Focused on Trade, Innovation and Regulations
Trade challenges, regulatory issues, and innovation top the list of seed industry concerns in 2020. Attendees at the virtual American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS and Seed Expo this week have the opportunity to participate in round table discussions on domestic policy and phytosanitary issues as well as innovation and trade. ASTA Vice President of Scientific Affairs & Policy Fan-Li …