Committees and Divisions
Most issues addressed by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) are bottom-up, driven from member representatives on ASTA committees or divisions. ASTA has seven divisions to which any member can belong, and it has 11 standing committees that address key seed science, policy and education issues.
ASTA members determine the future of the seed industry through active participation. Our success depends on your involvement. Grassroots efforts, quality discussions on policy issues, strategic goals and actions are the cornerstone to ASTA’s ability to advocate for the industry.
Ready to join a committee? Fill out the Committee Sign Up Form and email it to Ann Ward, Assistant to the COO.
Below are the ASTA Committees:
Communications Committee: This committee supports both ASTA specific and industry-wide initiatives. These efforts include, but are not limited to: coordinating industry messaging (as appropriate) to support advocacy goals and to drive public opinion; participating in the development and implementation of ASTA’s comprehensive communications plan; helping generate and respond to media coverage; amplifying ASTA social media content; apprising each other of emerging issues and media interests; sharing communications research & resources; and supporting industry communications efforts including Better Seed, Better Life public-facing initiatives, the Seed Ambassador Leadership Team (SALT), the Seed Treatment Stewardship Guide, student engagement activities, and more.
Environment & Conservation Seed Committee:This committee represents the interests of ASTA members who provide quality seed for land restoration, rehabilitation, and reclamation. A primary focus of the committee is to promote native seeds, introduced and released plant materials in projects on private and public lands. A basis for all aspects of the committee is the need for sound, science-based principles, and efficiency in government programs. This committee oversees the Cover Crops Task Force.
Innovation and Policy Committee:This committee focuses on policy and regulatory issues that have an impact across the seed industry. Examples of topics addressed by the committee are domestic and intellectual regulatory policies for seed products developed through innovative breeding technologies, issues related to intellectual property protection, and U.S. policies related to breeding and seed research. Advocacy and development of ASTA priorities and positions are developed through smaller groups, such as ad hoc topic specific and standing working groups, as well as subcommittees that report to the committee; for example, the Plant Breeding Innovation Subcommittee, the Intellectual Property Rights subcommittee, and the Molecular Markers Working Group.
International Committee (by invitation):This committee plays a vital role in developing ASTA’s global agricultural policy positions and international programs. The International Committee is comprised of the chairs of the Intellectual Property Rights, Plant Breeding Innovation, and Phytosanitary committees; ASTA’s representatives to the International Seed Federation (ISF) and other regional and international organizations; and the chairs of ASTA’s Country Working Groups. The International Committee sets global and country priorities, develops strategies for ASTA representatives to ISF, and designates priorities and activities conducted under USDA Cooperator Programs, including: the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, Market Access Program (MAP), and the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). Finally, the International Committee provides guidance and participates in ASTA’s priority Country Working Groups, and advocates with government officials and stakeholders on the value of addressing global seed issues.
Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) Committee:This committee is responsible for providing ASTA members with opportunities to expand their knowledge and gain experience in skills necessary to sustain and grow a career in the seed industry. This is delivered via distance learning, on-site tours of ASTA member companies and in-person at ASTA meetings. The committee is focused on building leadership skills by involving those new to the industry up to those that are advanced in their careers.
Legal Committee: This committee examines legal issues on an as needed basis and provides direction to the association on a broad range of topics. The committee will assist the organization in gaining new insights and solving business challenges. This committee is comprised of legal professionals within the seed industry and requires a solid grasp of the law and how it translates and affects seed industry issues.
Legislative Committee:This committee is responsible for keeping interested members apprised of federal and state legislative happenings. The function of this group is to share policy activity relevant to the seed industry, and keep members apprised of potential impacts from policy discussions in state legislatures, as well as Capitol Hill. Primary to ASTA’s legislative agenda is to ensure that state and federal policies relating to the seed industry remain consistent and practical.
Meetings Committee:This committee monitors, evaluates, and seeks to enhance ASTA meetings to maintain and increase the value of ASTA events for its members and grow participation and engagement in those events. This is currently a closed committee.
Membership Committee:This committee is responsible for all policy issues related to membership and for making recommendations to the Board on categories of membership, dues levels, member services, and approval of new members. The committee meets in-person twice a year during the Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference and the Leadership Summit. The Membership Cpommittee is closed to members unless they are in the following leadership positions: Regional Vice President, ASTA Officers, three most recent Past Chairs, and ASTA General Counsel.
Organic Seed Committee:This committee works to resolve technical issues relevant to organic seed production, treatment, use, and marketing. Open to all ASTA members interested in the development of the organic seed industry, the committee formulates policy recommendations to be submitted to the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and the National Organic Standards Board. The committee supports the organic seed industry for all commodities and interfaces with the USDA-NOP and the National Organic Standards Board.
Phytosanitary Committee:This committee focuses on the phytosanitary aspects of global seed movement and plays a key role in representing the seed industry in discussions with national and international plant quarantine authorities. The committee works closely with USDA’s APHIS, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO), and other regional and national plant protection organizations (NPPOs), as well as seed associations worldwide. Through this broad network, the committee monitors regulatory developments and engages directly with NPPOs to find practical, science-based, and risk-proportionate solutions to phytosanitary issues impacting seed trade. it actively advocates for harmonized regulations that facilitate the safe and efficient international movement of seed.
Seed Industry Relations Committee:This committee serves as the ASTA liaison with related industry associations by fostering communication and cooperation on issues of mutual concern. The committee keeps abreast of domestic and international developments in seed testing methods, regulations, and policy.
Sustainability Committee:This committee represents a diverse cross-section of ASTA membership and provides input to the activities surrounding implementation of ASTA’s strategic plan pillar on sustainability. The committee focuses on amplifying seed sector engagement on sustainability to policy makers and the value chain at the state, federal, and international levels.
Treated Seed Committee:This committee serves as a source of information to the industry on issues relating to the regulation and labeling of seed treated with pesticides and biologicals, as well as how treatments relate to the regulation and labeling of seed treated with pesticides and biologicals, as well as how treatments relate to the environment, health, safety, and well-being of employees fand consumers. The committee promotes product stewardship, uniformity in labeling, and provides advice to ASTA on issues regarding the safety of the seed industry’s workers, and environmental implications of laws or regulations as they relate to the seed industry. A biologicals working group has been created under this committee to address specific issues for that subset of products.
Associates/Exhibitors Planning Subcommittee: This subcommittee is responsible for evaluating ASTA’s conference-related exhibit programs, providing input, and working to maximize value for all ASTA Associate Member companies. Any ASTA Associate Member company is considered a member of this committee and can take part, particularly those who exhibit at ASTA events.
Biotech Market Access and Trade Subcommittee: This subcommittee, operating under the Innovation and Policy Committee (IPC), serves as ASTA’s focal point for issues related to trade and foreign regulatory approvals impacting biotech crops. The subcommittee works with a variety of U.S. trade and foreign affairs agencies, including the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Commerce, Department of State, and others, to advocate for regulatory alignment for crop biotechnology in a wide range of markets.
Emerging Diseases Subcommittee: A subcommittee of the Phytosanitary Committee, this group focuses on emerging plant diseases that may impact the seed industry. The subcommittee provides in-depth analysis of high-priority and emerging pathogens, recommends targeted research, and coordinates efforts with scientists from the seed industry and public research institutions. It also develops effective communication tools to support the industry’s efforts in disease prevention, preparedness, and response. This subcommittee plays a critical role in helping the seed sector stay ahead of new and evolving phytosanitary challenges.
Field Crop Seed Convention Planning Subcommittee: This subcommittee is responsible for selecting speakers and topics for the Field Crop Seed Convention (FCSC) programming.
Field Crops Emerging Issues Subcommittee: This subcommittee, operating under the Innovation & Policy Committee, is designed to handle the issues that face the corn, sorghum, and soybean seed companies. The group will delve into ongoing issues and identify issues on the horizon.
Forage, Turf & Conservation Seed Conference Planning Subcommittee: This subcommittee is responsible for selecting speakers and topics for the Forage, Turf & Conservation Seed Conference programming.
Intellectual Property Rights Subcommittee: This subcommittee, operating under the Innovation & Policy Committee, develops and recommends policy positions on matters related to intellectual property protection at the domestic and international levels. The subcommittee works with the U.S. Plant Variety Protection Office, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and other parties regarding rules and procedures related to the administration of the U.S. Plant Variety Protection and Patent Acts. At a global level, the subcommittee also advises ASTA representatives to the International Seed Federation’s (ISF) Intellectual Property Coordination Group, as well as the International Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV), and International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
Leadership Summit Planning Subcommittee: This subcommittee is responsible for selecting speakers and topics for ASTA Leadership Summit program content and session programming.
Plant Breeding Innovation Subcommittee: This subcommittee, operating under the Innovation and Policy Committee, develops and implements strategic approaches to advocate for domestic and international environment that facilitates the development and implementation of innovation in breeding of seed crops and in seed associated products. The subcommittee develops and recommends positions related to regulatory and policy issues for seed products developed through innovative breeding technologies. The subcommittee meets monthly.
Potato Seed Subcommittee: This sub-committee supports members’ effort in the use of true potato seed.
Treated Seed Federal Policy Subcommittee: This subcommittee addresses and comments, as necessary, regulations and legislation within the U.S. Federal Government. Although primarily focused on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it has the resources and capabilities to impact all level of government and agencies.
Treated Seed International Policy Subcommittee: This subcommittee monitors, reports, and shares international activities that could affect treated seed markets and regulations collectively.
Treated Seed New Technologies Subcommittee: This subcommittee collects and distributes updates to assist with the activities of the other treated seed subcommittees.
Treated Seed State Policy Subcommittee: This subcommittee monitors and affects state regulatory and legislative activity; as well as develops and maintains state relationships and partnerships.
Treated Seed Lifecycle Management Subcommittee: This subcommittee monitors and impacts local, state, and national regulations pertaining to non-viable treated seed to ensure they are viable and effective.
Vegetable & Flower Emerging Issues Subcommittee: This subcommittee identifies emerging issues to the vegetable and flower sector to ensure these issues are being addressed in the appropriate ASTA committees or task forces. The subcommittee reports to the V&F Division.
Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference Planning Subcommittee: This subcommittee is responsible for selecting speakers and topics for the Vegetable & Flower Seed session programming.
Vegetable & Flower Seed Technical Subcommittee: A subcommittee of the Phytosanitary Committee, this group focuses on plant health issues impacting the vegetable and flower seed industries. Its members include plant pathologists and seed scientists from both academia and seed companies. The subcommittee addresses technical challenges related to pests and pathogens of regulatory concern, collaborates with plant diagnostic laboratories, and helps identify research needs specific to the vegetable and flower seed sectors. The subcommittee provides science-based input to support the seed industry’s engagement with regulatory authorities.
Visionary Subcommittee: This subcommittee of the Membership Committee evaluates the long-term financial sustainability of ASTA and provides information to the Board of Directors through the Membership Committee. The Membership Committee will provide support and use the Visionary Committee’s input when completing their functions. The Chief Operating Officer will lead this subcommittee, and members shall include the Officers of the Board and selected leaders from the ASTA membership. This is currently a closed subcommittee.
Women in Seed Subcommittee: This subcommittee, operating under the Leadership, Education, and Development Committee is responsible for the strategy, design, and execution of Women in Seed events at ASTA conferences throughout the year.
Cover Crop Task Force: This task force, operating under the Environment & Conservation Seed Committee, discusses federal, state, and privately funded programs for cover crops. Agronomic and other research on cover crops is shared as well as supported by the working group.
Crop Biotechnology Task Force: This task force, operating under the Innovation and Policy Committee, serves as the ASTA focal point for federal and state crop biotechnology regulatory issues. The task force will identify regulatory priorities and develops approaches and strategies to advocate for science based, risk proportionate regulatory improvement.
