62 / SEEDWORLD.COM OCTOBER 2018 has worked to encourage basic research in seed biology with the potential application to multiple crop species and then facilitating the transfer of that research to benefit the seed industry, farmers and consumers around the world. Meanwhile, the council encouraged cooperation, partnering and mutual support of private, public and student plant breeders. The new Seed Science Foundation will serve as a valuable resource for ASTA as it works to deliver on its strategic objectives. Dunkle, who will serve as one of two ASTA staff liaisons, explains that the foundation will provide insight and recommend solutions that enable the U.S. seed industry to function with global effectiveness. For example, global discussions of evolving plant breed- ing methods and phytosanitary issues impact all of us, he says. Having this proactive and integrated source of seed and plant science expertise is invalu- able to those who are involved in these discussions. One of the key goals of the foundation is to identify and support funding mechanisms for new plant science research programs, including private indus- try, foundations and public funding. Dunkle says neither of the organizations have historically been too successful in connecting with and attracting dollars from the likes of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, National Security Agency and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture. “Our scope of work directly aligns with the efforts of many of these organi- zations,” Dunkle explains. “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be having conversations, working together and even co-funding projects that have the potential for a much broader impact than just the seed industry.” Additionally, he says the Seed Science Foundation will help facilitate sev- eral student programs within ASTA’s revitalized student connections efforts. Encouraging the next generation of talent to join our industry is extremely important, Dunkle adds. “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be having conversations, working together and even co-funding projects that have the potential for a much broader impact…” —Ric Dunkle