b'A Seed Industry Reunion The American Seed Trade Association kicked off their first in-person conference since February 2020.Alex MartinITS BEEN Along 16 months without in-personDuring the first session on Monday, June 21, Latham conferences, and with that, no face-to-face announced that Chet Boruff received the first 2021 business. Across the industry, there was an insatiableASTA Distinguished Service Award. desire to have in-person meetings again, but due toChet has been a tireless advocate for the seed COVID-19, it wasnt possible without risk of peopleindustry, said Latham.getting sick. Boruff has had a long careernot only has he In June 2021, with vaccination rates on the riseserved with the Association of Official Seed Certifying in the U.S. and mandate restrictions loosening, theAgencies (AOSCA), but his early career had him serv-American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) was able toing as deputy director of the Illinois Department of host their first in-person conference since the 2020Agriculture for seven years. ASTA Flower & Veg conference.Boruff began his career at AOSCA in 2004 as CEO.Chet Boruff The ASTA Policy and Leadership DevelopmentSince then, he has been responsible for serving as itsserves as CEO Conference (PLDC) met in Washington D.C. for thespokesman, representing seed certifying agenciesof AOSCA, and usual meeting focused on leadership and policy lob- across the U.S. and seven other counties. Hes beenis retiring at the bying. While most lobbying meetings couldnt be heldproviding assistance to AOSCA members to administerend of 2021.in-person due to the events of Jan. 6, 2021, around 90AOSCA seed certifying standards and develop ser-ASTA members were able to gather in one room forvices related to seed and the agriculture industry. the first time, along with a slew of members joining theThroughout his career, Boruff has also operated his sessions virtually.familys cash grain farm in Rock Island County, Ill. Im thrilled to be here with you all, live and inThank you so much for the recognition. This award Washington D.C., said John Latham, outgoing chairmeans the world to me, Boruff said. I was totally of ASTA and president of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds. Wesurprised and honoredASTA pulled one over on me cant all be together in-person due to the historic pan- that I didnt see coming.demic, but we are nevertheless together in this way toOver the years, Ive taken for granted the perfor-continue our associations time-honored traditions. mance and consistency of seed that I buy, but I know I want to extend our utmost gratitude to the ASTAthats no accident, he said. That comes from the hard board of directors who have shown tremendous lead- work of the seed industry. The seed industry does their ership in this challenging year, Latham said. On behalfbest to do it right.of the board, we want to thank you, our members,Its been my great honor to work with all of youBarb Glenn is for your hard work and dedication for keeping thethrough AOSCA, and its a hallmark of my career toCEO of NASDA, essential business of the seed industry moving forwardaccept this award. and also despite the significant disruption toward domestic andBoruff plans to retire this year from AOSCA. announced her global commerce. On Tuesday, June 22, ASTA awarded a secondretirement at 2021 Distinguished Service Award to Barb Glenn, CEOthe end of 2021.ASTA Distinguished Service Awards of the National Association of State Departments ofPHOTO: ASTAThis year, ASTA was able to present two DistinguishedAgriculture (NASDA).Service Awards to members whove shown dedicationGlenn is a scientist with decades of experience as a to the seed industry.researcher, policy leader and advocate for agriculture. 40/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2021'