44 / SEEDWORLD.COM SEPTEMBER 2017 PHOTOS: AGNEWSWIRE. THE AMERICAN SEED Trade Association (ASTA) hosted its 134th Annual Convention, the premier policy meeting for those in the United States, in Minneapolis, Minn., June 21-24. “Voyage of Better Seed” was this year’s convention theme, focusing on the science and policy issues related to the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide. Nearly 300 registrants convened to tackle issues and develop policy to guide the future of the association. “This meeting truly is a policy meeting for us,” says Andy LaVigne, ASTA presi- dent and CEO. “We look at where we are participating at the international level, the national level and the state level, and for all the crops — whether it’s fruits and vegeta- bles, cover crops, grasses and forages, or our traditional row crops. Where are our policies impacting them, and how do we make sure we are the trusted resource at the table?” Additionally, participants had the opportunity to tour El Dorado Packaging and the Syngenta Seedcare Institute to see firsthand the newest technologies and developments being used in the industry. Furthermore, ASTA brought in a panel of experts from food companies to discuss consumer trends and the future of the food industry. This event also marked the end of Mark Herrmann’s service as ASTA chair. For the past year, he has led the group through some major changes and successes, including the passage of a federal GMO labeling bill. “The GMO transparency bill being a federal bill, as opposed to the patchwork that was being done by state bills, is huge — for not just the American Seed Trade Association but the entire food industry in general,” Herrmann said. If you couldn’t be at the American Seed Trade Association’s 134th Annual Convention, here are highlights from the voyage. Julie Deering Take the Voyage of Better Seed Other milestones during Herrmann’s tenure include placing a staff member in China to assist with developing intellectual property rights and processes, along with other bills. The communications team has also released two videos: one featuring a plant breeder, mother and gardener, and a new animated video that seeks to educate the public on a very simple level about what plant breeding actually means. Broadening the View This was also a meeting with a great deal of student participation and emphasis on leadership development. The Future Seed Executives hosted its Campus Connections students, which seeks to expose undergraduate students to the diverse array of careers available in the seed industry and provide them with networking and mentorship opportunities. During the opening general session, the American Seed Trade Association’s President and CEO Andy LaVigne welcomed representatives from food companies to discuss food trends. Mark Herrmann of AgReliant Genetics concluded his year as ASTA chairman.