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ASTA Seed Industry Heritage Award Nomination Process 

The purpose of the Heritage Award is to preserve and build history, honor, and recognize individuals who have significantly impacted ASTA and the seed industry and to inspire the next generation of leaders, and instill a sense of pride in the rich history of the seed industry and ASTA.

The nominations should demonstrate how the nominee:

  • Helped to create a more favorable environment in which to conduct business in the seed industry.
  • Generated technological breakthroughs that changed the trajectory of productivity for farmers or the industry.
  • Expanded the reach and influence of the US seed industry into international markets creating access to better seeds for global farmers.
  • Promoted a high standard of business ethics for the benefit of customers and members of the seed industry.
  • Facilitate personal and professional development within the industry.
  • Demonstrated leadership, vision, and foresight within the seed industry
  • It’s not a requirement for nominees to have been active ASTA members, however, their contributions to the seed industry should directly or indirectly benefit ASTA’s mission.

The established criterion for the award is as follows:

    • The first award to be presented in 2022 at the Leadership Summit*
    • Nominations for the following year will be solicited after the conference with a deadline of December 31st. (6 months)
    • Nominations can be accepted from any ASTA member and sent via email to ajorss@betterseed.org.
    • The nomination will include the following:
      • Outline of member’s accomplishments
      • Criteria for selection, (why they should be selected, using the demonstrations above.)
      • Photograph to be used for the website and articles.

Process for selection:

  • The Past Presidents/Chairman committee will serve as the award committee and select the winner at their January/February meeting. ASTA staff will support this activity.
  • A running list of nominees will be kept, and awardees can be selected from past nominations.
  • The award will only be offered to recognize companies, industries or individuals that have retired from the seed industry for more than three years, have reached the age of 70 or deceased.
  • There can be more than one winner per year, up to three.
  • There will be up to five recipients the first year to jump start the award.

Award recognition:

  • Those named will receive the following recognitions:
  • Family/friends/colleagues would be invited to attend the Leadership Summit.
  • A plaque for the member or family, if applicable.
  • A poster/photo displayed at the conference with details of their accomplishments.
  • An article in the monthly ASTA newsletter and SeedWorld.
  • A spot in the ASTA Heritage Award section of the website, (to be created)
  • Participants of student programs will be encouraged to view the past awardees.
  • Will share link with other student programs when able, SeedQuest.
  • Compensation will vary by recipient. Could include complementary registration to attend the meeting for recipient/family or colleagues, travel reimbursement for recipient and/or immediate family.

*Because of the timing so the first year, the winner(s) can be selected by the Past President/Chairman Committee without nominations from the membership.