ASTA Wraps 2026 Leadership Summit

ASTA held its 2026 Leadership Summit June 9–11 in Milwaukee, WI, bringing together seed industry leaders for three days of programming focused on advocacy, strategy, and the future of the industry. 

The conference opened with a keynote address by Ray Starling, followed by a dynamic farmer panel exploring priorities and perspectives from the field. Additional sessions included an inspiring discussion on mental health and resiliency in agriculture led by the co-founder of the Mind Your Melon Foundation, followed by a practical introduction to effective advocacy for seed industry professionals, and a candid panel on what new talent and managers need from each other to build stronger teams. The Summit also featured dedicated time for strategic planning discussions as ASTA looks ahead to the next chapter for the association and its members. 

Photos from the event are available in the Summit’s Flickr album. We hope to see you in Washington, D.C. for next year’s ASTA Leadership Summit, June 21-23, 2027!