Communication & Members Services Manager, Canadian Seed Trade Association
Although it still feels like winter here in Ottawa, CSTA is looking forward to the spring with several exciting initiatives. We are ramping up our Better Seed, Better Life campaign, progressing towards a new national seed organization and starting the planning for another great annual meeting.
Better Seed, Better Life — Share the Message!
In our industry, we understand that there is a lack of public awareness about seed. The Better Seed, Better Life program is about aligning the industry to tell the story of seed and its impact on our quality of life. Better Seed, Better Life was started by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). They gathered insights from their membership and conducted market research to establish messages about the benefits of seed improvement and the evolution of plant breeding.
CSTA has tailored their information for our audience here in Canada and we have developed a presentation and materials to share with anyone that is interested in spreading the message. Please join us in helping share the story of seed improvements! Please contact CSTA if you are interested in participating.
Moving Closer to the New National Seed Organization
This spring, CSTA members will be receiving a detailed merger package with information about the new National Seed Organization, or NSO. Over the past several months, the Seed Synergy Oversight Committee and the major national seed industry organizations that comprise it (CSGA, CSTA, CSI, CSAAC, CPTA, and CropLife Canada) have worked with an independent consultancy, StrategyCorp, to develop a target operating model for the NSO.
This an exciting time in our industry, with the CSTA member vote anticipated to happen this July. The Seed Synergy Collaboration Project has been underway for several years and a historic change is in sight as we seek to create the seed system of the future.
Throughout the process, we haven’t lost sight of our vision, which is a reformed, industry-led, government-enabled seed system that effectively attracts investment, fosters innovation and delivers new and tailored seed traits to customers efficiently, to create value for our members.
Growing Together in Winnipeg
It’s not too early to start thinking about CSTA’s annual meeting in July. CSTA will host a joint event with the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association in Winnipeg, Man. The annual meeting is one of the most important annual events for our industry, with over 500 attendees at our last meeting in Whistler, BC.
This year’s meeting takes place from July 12-15, 2020. Registration will open in March — please visit CSTA’s website at seedinnovation.ca, email info@seedinnovation.ca or call us at (613) 829-9527 for more information.
