Committees and Working Groups

To apply for membership on a committee or working group, ASTA members may submit this form.

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.

Below are ASTA committees and working groups. Please read through and determine which one(s) would be most beneficial for you to participate in, because when you benefit, the industry benefits.

Communications Committee
CSS Program Planning Committee
Environmental and Conservation Seed Committee
Future Seed Executives (FuSE)
Innovation and Policy Committee
Intellectual Property Rights Committee
International Executive Committee
Legislative and Legal Concerns Committee
Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) Committee
Meetings Committee
Molecular Marker Subcommittee
Organic Seed Committee
Phytosanitary Committee
Seed Industry Relations Committee
Seed Treatment and Environmental Committee
Stewardship Committee
Vegetable & Flower Permanent Research Fund Committee
Vegetable Technical Subcommittee
Cover Crop Working Group
Emerging Diseases Working Group
Plant Breeding Innovation Working Group
Intellectual Property Rights Emerging Issues Working Group
Food Safety Working Group
State Governmental Affairs Working Group
Vegetable & Flower Emerging Issues Working Group
Country Working Groups

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Communications Committee

Committee members will support both ASTA specific and industry-wide initiatives. These efforts will include, but not be limited to; coordinate industry messaging (as appropriate) to support advocacy goals and to drive public opinion, participate in the development of ASTA’s comprehensive communications plan, generate more media coverage and attendance at ASTA annual conferences and meetings, apprise each other of emerging issues and media interests, share communications research & resources, and support industry initiatives like the Seed Treatment Stewardship Guide, First-the Seed, FuSE, etc. Contact Bethany Shively at 703-837-8140, bshively@betterseed.org.

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CSS Program Planning Committee

Responsible for the selection of speakers and topics for the CSS (Corn, Sorghum and Soybean) conference session programming. The committee offers a variety of perspectives from experts working in the private sector to academia. Contact Jennifer Crouse at 703-837-8140, jcrouse@betterseed.org.

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Environmental and Conservation Seed Committee

This committee represents the interests of ASTA members who provide quality seed for land restoration, rehabilitation, and reclamation. The primary focus of the committee is to promote the use of local and non-local 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. The committee coordinates an annual conservation workshop each spring, which rotates between Washington, D.C. and Boise, Idaho. Contact Virginia Houston at 703-837-8140, vhouston@betterseed.org.

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Future Seed Executives (FuSE)

Student focused, FuSE includes organizing all of ASTA’s educational opportunities for undergraduate to PhD students, as well as work with a student subcommittee and developing targeted meeting and written material. Focuses on recruitment, outreach, and content for ASTA student members. Contact Ellen Zimmerman or Kaity Carpenter at 703-837-8140, ezimmerman@betterseed.org or kcarpenter@betterseed.org.

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Innovation and Policy Committee

Covers policy and regulatory issues in the areas of new plant breeding innovations, research and transgenic seed products. The focus is on those policy and regulatory issues that have an impact across the seed industry. Examples of topics addressed by the Committee are: regulatory policies for seed products developed through innovative breeding technologies, seed Low Level Presence (LLP) and U.S. policies related to breeding and seed research. Advocacy and development of ASTA positions are initially developed through topic-specific working groups that report back to the committee. Contact Bernice Slutsky at 703-837-8140, bslutsky@betterseed.org.

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Intellectual Property Rights Committee

Involved domestically and internationally, this committee develops and recommends policy positions on matters related to intellectual property protection schemes for adoption by the Board of Directors. The committee 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 committee also advises ASTA representatives to the International Seed Federation’s Intellectual Property Committee. This committee conducts many activities through ad hoc working groups as the need arises. Contact Abigail Struxness at 703-837-8140, astruxness@betterseed.org.

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International Executive Committee

This committee plays a vital role in developing ASTA’s global agricultural policy development and international programs. It is comprised of the chairs of the Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation & Policy, Phytosanitary, and Seed Industry Relations committees; ASTA’s representatives to the International Seed Federation; the chairs of the five Country Working Groups; the chair of the Adventitious Presence Working Group; and the chair of ASTA’s Board of Directors. Working to set global and country priorities, develop strategies for ASTA representatives to ISF, and design strategies for USDA Cooperator Programs, including Foreign Market Development, Market Access Program and Emerging Markets Program, the committee provides guidance and participates in ASTA’s Priority Country Working Groups, and advocates ASTA’s message to U.S. government and stakeholders on the value of addressing these global seed issues. Contact Abigail Struxness at 703-837-8140, astruxness@betterseed.org.

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Legislative and Legal Concerns Committee

This committee is responsible for setting legislative priorities and policy positions that are representative of ASTA’s diverse membership. Primary to ASTA’s legislative agenda is to ensure that state and federal regulations relating to the seed industry remain consistent and practical. This committee provides a forum for ASTA’s membership to communicate with policymakers, including providing support resources and personal visits with elected and regulatory officials, when important measures are under consideration. Contact Virginia Houston at 703-837-8140, vhouston@betterseed.org.

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Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) Committee

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. Contact Ann Jorss at 703-837-8140, ajorss@betterseed.org.

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Meetings Committee

The ASTA Meetings Committee continually monitors, evaluates and seeks to enhance ASTA meetings in order to maintain and increase the value of ASTA events for its members and grow participation and engagement in those events. Contact Jennifer Crouse at 703-837-8140, jcrouse@betterseed.org.

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Molecular Marker Subcommittee

Formerly the Corn Variety Identification Subcommittee, this sub-committee is focused on the technical aspects of utilizing molecular markers for variety identification and as part of the process of showing distinctness for Plant Variety Protection. Projects are conducted jointly with the U.S. Plant Variety Protection Office and are on a crop-specific basis. The subcommittee meets primarily through webinars with an in-person meeting at the ASTA CSS & Seed Expo. Contact Bernice Slutsky at 703-837-8140, bslutsky@betterseed.org.

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Organic Seed Committee

The 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 for approval by ASTA’s Board of Directors to be submitted to the USDA National Organic Program. The committee supports the organic seed industry for all commodities and interfaces with the USDA-NOP and the National Organic Standards Board. Contact Jane DeMarchi at 703-837-8140, jdemarchi@betterseed.org.

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Phytosanitary Committee

Representing ASTA in all national and international regulatory matters dealing with seed health, this committee focuses on the phytosanitary aspects of seed movement. It maintains a close relationship with USDA’s APHIS and foreign government plant quarantine bodies including the International Plant Protection Convention, the North American Plant Protection Organization and other regional organizations, including national and regional seed associations. Through this network, the committee monitors plant quarantine developments that might affect the movement of seed. Contact Ric Dunkle at 703-837-8140, rdunkle@betterseed.org.

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Seed Industry Relations Committee

Serving as a liaison with related industry associations, the Seed Industry Relations Committee fosters communication and cooperation on issues of mutual concern. The committee keeps abreast of domestic and international developments in seed testing methods, regulations, and policy. Contact Pat Miller at 703-837-8140, pmiller@betterseed.org.

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Seed Treatment and Environmental Committee

The STEC committee serves as a source of information to the industry on issues relating to the regulation and labeling of seed treated with pesticides, as well as how treatments relate to the environment, health, safety, and well-being of employees and 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. Contact Jane DeMarchi at 703-837-8140, jdemarchi@betterseed.org.

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Stewardship Committee

Established to develop and implement a living work plan focusing on seed product quality, the committee is able to address related emerging issues. Developing industry guidelines and educating/reaching out to domestic and foreign governments, growers, and other stakeholders who have expertise in stewardship and quality assurance and management are a few of the committee’s activities. Working groups are often utilized to develop and draft guidance related to seed quality management. The committee primarily works on a project by project basis. Contact Bernice Slutsky at 703-837-8140, bslutsky@betterseed.org.

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Vegetable & Flower Permanent Research Fund Committee

The committee determines the need for basic research relating to the vegetable and flower sector. Meeting once a year at the Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference, committee members vote on and fund research projects. A 3-year financial commitment is required, which entitles committee members access to all previous and current research results. Contact Ann Jorss at 703-837-8140, ajorss@betterseed.org.

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Vegetable Technical Subcommittee

A subcommittee of the Phytosanitary Committee, this committee focuses on phytosanitary issues of concern to the vegetable industry. Comprised primarily of plant pathologists, seed scientists, and lab people from vegetable seed companies, the VegTech Committee addresses technical issues concerning pests and pathogens of concern. Contact Ric Dunkle at 703-837-8140, rdunkle@betterseed.org.

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Cover Crop Working Group

The working group shares information about cover crop programs and research between ASTA members. Agronomic and market research on cover crops are of increasing interest to the seed industry as the number of initiatives promoting cover crop adoption continues to grow. Contact Jane DeMarchi at 703-837-8140, jdemarchi@betterseed.org.

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Emerging Diseases Working Group

An ad hoc working group under the Phytosanitary Committee, the group was first formed in response to Watermelon Fruit Blotch. It has since expanded its role to include other emerging diseases of concern. This group provides in-depth analysis of target diseases, recommends research, coordinates with research scientists in the seed industry and in public research institutions, and develops communication mechanisms to aid the seed industry in prevention and responses to seed diseases. It meets as needed at conferences and via conference calls. Contact Ric Dunkle at 703-837-8140, rdunkle@betterseed.org.

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Plant Breeding Innovation Working Group

Formed under the Innovation and Policy Committee, the working group develops and recommends positions related to regulatory and policy issues for seed products developed through innovative breeding technologies. Background materials on these technologies and plant breeding are also developed by the working group which meets regularly through both in-person meetings and webinars. Contact Bernice Slutsky at 703-837-8140, bslutsky@betterseed.org.

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Intellectual Property Rights Emerging Issues Working Group

Formed under the IPR Committee, the IPR Emerging Issues Working Group identifies key emerging IPR issues and develops draft positions and recommendations for consideration by the IPR Committee. The working group normally meets at least quarterly through both in-person meetings and webinars. Contact Abigail Struxness at 703-837-8140, astruxness@betterseed.org.

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Food Safety Working Group

Formed in 2008 in response to California’s E.coli outbreak, the group is responsible for developing and maintaining a database of research findings on food safety pathogens concerning the seed industry. In addition, the group developed the ASTA statement on testing seed for human pathogens and periodically reviews and proposes changes or amendments to the statement based on new scientific information. Members also monitor food safety incidents for potential impacts on the seed industry. Meetings are held as needed at ASTA’s Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference, the Policy & Leadership Development Conference and via conference calls. Contact Ric Dunkle at 703-837-8140, rdunkle@betterseed.org.

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State Governmental Affairs Working Group

The ASTA State Governmental Affairs Working Group’s purpose is to provide a forum for identification, discussion, and resolution of state and local seed issues, in coordination with the ASTA Legislative and Legal Concerns Committee. The working group develops and implements strategies to ensure that the seed industry’s policy positions are fully addressed and communicated. The group also explores opportunities for proactive partnerships and coalitions. Contact Pat Miller at 703-837-8140, pmiller@betterseed.org.

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Vegetable & Flower Emerging Issues Working Group

The working group is a working group under the Vegetable and Flower Division. The V&F EIWG identifies emerging issues to the vegetable and flower sector in order to ensure these issues are being addressed in the appropriate ASTA committees or working groups. The EIWG reports to the V&F Division. Contact Jane DeMarchi at 703-837-8140, jdemarchi@betterseed.org.

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Country Working Groups

These groups provide an interactive forum for ASTA members, staff, and regional contacts in each country to discuss specific issues, identify international program goals, and implement activities specific to each of ASTA’s priority markets. These include Argentina, Brazil, China, India and Mexico. The groups meet via conference call throughout the year. Contact Abigail Struxness at 703-837-8140, astruxness@betterseed.org.

• Argentina Working Group
  Intellectual property rights, royalty collection, brown-bag seed, and emerging risks to trade are topics of special interest to the Argentina Working Group. Current work includes an IPR educational outreach project, partnering with Argentina Seed Association (ASA) and the Seed Association of the Americas to host workshops on phytosanitary and adventitious presence and low-level presence in seed.
• Brazil Working Group
  Phytosanitary trade barriers, re-export issues, pest lists, intellectual property rights, and emerging risks to trade are topics of special interest to the Brazil Working Group. Current work includes facilitating government to government and industry meetings in Brazil with the Brazilian Seed Association and hosting workshops with the Seed Association of the Americas on phytosanitary issues and adventitious presence and low-level presence in seed.
• China Working Group
  Intellectual property rights, plant variety protection, variety registration, emerging risks to trade, trade expansion and enhancement, and seed quality management are topics of interest to the China Working Group. Current work includes Ministry of Agriculture and Provincial government workshops, meetings and U.S. visits, and participation in China seed expos and summits
• India Working Group
  Property rights, plant variety protection, emerging risks to trade, trade expansion and enhancement, and seed quality management are topics of special interest to the India Working Group. Current work includes Seed Quality and Learning Initiative, Ministry of Agriculture meetings, and U.S. visits.
• Mexico Working Group
  Phytosanitary trade barriers, re-export issues, pest lists, and emerging risks to trade are topics of special interest to the Mexico Working Group. Current work includes assessing the market in Mexico and hosting workshops with the Seed Association of the Americas on phytosanitary issues and adventitious presence and low-level presence in seed.
• Global Working Group
  This group provides an interactive forum for ASTA members, staff, and regional contacts to discuss specific issues, identify international program goals, and implement activities in countries not currently identified as an ASTA priority market, but are important to the global seed trade industry. This group meets via conference call throughout the year.