February 21, 2013
- On February 21, 2013
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Welcome to the electronic newsletter of the American Seed Trade Association(ASTA) for members, allies and stakeholders. Please feel free to forward the Seed E-News to others you believe might wish to receive news about the seed industry. Questions, comments and your industry news are |
In This Issue |
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Register Now for ASTA’s Annual Convention in Nashville (June 15-19)
“Sing A Song About the Heartland” is the theme for our 130th annual convention and registration just opened online. Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Click here for more information.
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As part of the ASTA plan to take a more integrated and proactive approach toadvocacy efforts for the U.S. seed industry on key domestic regulatory and policy issues – as well as to focus on the ability of our members to do business globally –Bernice Slutsky has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Domestic and International Policy.
Reporting to Bernice will be VP, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Jane DeMarci, who recently joined ASTA from the National Association of Wheat Growers; Ric Dunkle, Ph.D., Senior Director of Seed Health and Trade; Pat Miller, Director of State Government Affairs, Lisa Nichols, Director of Science and International Affairs, and Kelly Crist, Manager of Science and International Affairs.
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Watch “And God Created a Farmer” to Help Raise $1 Million for Future Farmers of America
Dodge has agreed to donate $1 to FFA for every “click-through” from their site to view that great Super Bowl commercial featuring Paul Harvey’s moving essay.
Click here to help.
Oregon Seed Association Grants over $3,000 in Scholarships
The Oregon Seed Association (OSA) is a non-profit agricultural trade association whose members market and distribute Oregon grass and agricultural seed to over 70 countries on six continents.
The highlight of the recent OSA Mid-Winter Meeting was the award of over $3,000 in scholarships. Larry Dean, Oregon Seed Services Inc., presented scholarships with Pat Miller, American Seed Trade Association. The recipients were: Shay Nolan $1,000.00, Tiffany Harper $800.00, Christy McCarthy $800.00 and Ann Bernert $500.00. In addition, Sarah Wright was awarded the William Kent Wiley Jr. Fellowship.
For more info, please contact OSA President, Duane Klundt. Klundt may be reached at 503-566-9900.
Subscribe to New PVPO Information Service
The Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO) has created a new electronic subscription to its website to enable the Office to more effectively communicate information to stakeholders. Subscribers will receive emails when there are updates to the PVPO website or important program announcements.
Please spread the word about the PVPO Listserv. Anyone interested in subscribing may do so by visiting the PVPO website at www.ams.usda.gov/PVPO. Click on the PVPO Listserv link in the Resources box on the right-hand side and that will take you to the subscription page.
Information and questions regarding plant variety protection or the listserv can be sent to PVPOmail@ams.usda.gov.
ASTA Hosts Environmental & Conservation Seed Workshop
The ASTA Environmental & Conservation Seed Workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 5th in Washington, DC. Bruce Knight, former Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the USDA and Chief of Natural Resources Conservation Service, will be assisting with the workshop. Bruce is a nationally recognized expert on conservation, agriculture and the environment. With a long track record of bringing strategic workable solutions to complex and controversial issues, he understands the workings of farm and conservation policy from the grassroots to the national level.
In addition to Bruce Knight, participants will be interacting with key policymakers within Congress, the regulatory community and a variety of other interest groups. Discussions will also be held on native seed testing, Bureau of Land Management policies, specialty crop pesticide approvals, and other issues of interest.
Legislative Update: GE Labeling Initiatives Continue to Emerge
Senate Bill 18, introduced in the New Mexico legislature by Sen. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), would have required labeling of genetically modified food in the state, if passed. Also in New Mexico, Santa Fe Councilor Patti Bushee said she plans to introduce a resolution asking state and federal officials to consider broad regulations of genetically engineered products. She said she also plans to work with the County Commissioners to ban the planting of genetically engineered crops at commercial farms in the city and county.
I-522, a Washington state petition initiative, would require the labeling of food containing genetically modified ingredients if approved by the voters of the state in November. A bill to that effect, as specified by Washington state law, has been introduced and referred to agricultural committees for consideration which has the opportunity to pass the petition, thus making the intent law and circumventing the requirement for the ballot initiative. The labeling required by this initiative is similar to the same effort proposed to California voters last fall. If passed, it will cost consumers, food businesses and farmers significantly. The initiative mandates a paper trail that will be costly for growers of many types of crops. To reiterate, both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Medical Association have publicly stated that “”…there is no significant difference…” and “there is no scientific justification for special labeling of bioengineered foods…”
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Review and Update Your ASTA Membership Profile Through Our New Portal
The American Seed Trade Association is excited to launch the first phase of its new “Members Only” section. Please keep in mind that this section will continue to grow in terms of features and members-only benefits.We ask for your patience as we continue to make it more robust.
Steps to Login:
- Go to the www.amseed.org.
- Click the “Members Only” button (will take you to the members only portal login page).
- Click on the LOGIN button to the left of the page
- If you have already set up a password, enter your username and password and select “Go”
- Members who have not yet logged-in to the new members only portal:–Username is your primary business email address–Default password is “Password1”
- After logging in for the first time, you will then be prompted to create a new password (must be at least 6 characters).
Once you are logged-in, you will be able to:
- View and manage your profile;
- Update your contact information;
- Search the membership and individual directory;
- Stay up-to-date on association activities;
- Register for events and much more.
Thank you for your support and participation. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the ASTA office at 703-837-8140 or info@amseed.org.
ASTA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact ASTA at (703) 837-8140.
