While the ASTA PLDC wasn’t able to meet in person, ASTA continues to recognize the importance of leadership in the seed industry.
Every year, members of the seed industry looks forward to heading to the American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) Policy and Leadership Development Conference (PLDC). And even though this year’s PLDC in Indianapolis was canceled, ASTA is making the most of their virtual space.
“The accessibility of the virtual format affords a whole new group of ASTA members the chance to get to know this new event, which was transformed in 2018 from our former, traditional Annual Convention into a new event that focuses on the core purposes of advancing policy and developing our industry’s emerging leaders,” says Jennifer Crouse, senior director of meetings & services at ASTA. “We are thrilled to find that today’s technology not only allows us to continue to provide valuable programming for our members during a pandemic, but also helps to engage a much larger and more global audience.”
The PLDC Virtual was held with weekly meetings from June until July and centered not only on the usual ASTA Annual Meeting, but also on educational meetings. The virtual conference, offered for free to ASTA members, more than doubled the usual June attendance as well as broadening its reach to attendees in 15 countries. Even though everything was held virtually on Zoom, it seemed like you were attending the in-person meeting.
One thing that didn’t change, though, was the ASTA Annual Meeting, where ASTA brought in their new officers and recognized strong leadership in the seed industry.
“Though we can’t be together, due to this historic COVID pandemic, nonetheless we’re here in this forum to continue the association’s time-honored traditions,” said Wayne Gale, outgoing chair of the American Seed Trade Association and president of Stokes Seeds. “We’re very thankful for the chance to come together as an association.”
State of the Association
“We’re thankful we’re able to connect virtually,” Gale said. “We appreciate everyone for participating in this process. This meeting is required by our bylaws, but we also have to remember that our membership is the heart of our association, and your participation is greatly appreciated.”
One major issue Gale addressed in his State of the Association speech was the topic of COVID-19 — of course, other than just impacting the conference, COVID-19 has affected ASTA and the seed industry in numerous ways.
Every two weeks, the ASTA staff has a COVID-19 focused member call, where they discuss updates they’ve seen in state and federal legislature, potential economic effects of COVID and more. In addition to those calls, ASTA continues to update their COVID-19 hub with new information around legislature and impacts as well.
“As an association, we’re still playing key roles in those industry discussions as we contact state regulators and work with the global authority to make sure that seed is moving globally and has as little interruption as possible,” Gale said. “At the same time, we’re looking at the future.”
Namely, Gale said that they’re looking at what will research and trials look like in the post COVID environment, and what effect that will have on our industry.
In non-COVID-19 related news, Gale said another important task ASTA has been working on is the USDA guidelines on genetic engineered organisms.
“That’s been a top priority of ASTA over the last few months,” Gale said. “ASTA has been pushing for a science-based risk assessment regulatory system, that provides a clear pathway for products that utilize the latest breeding techniques.”
Tariff relief has been another topic on the top-of-mind at ASTA.
“One thing of note is that not only are we exempt from future tariffs, but those that paid tariffs during that tariff period have an opportunity to reclaim those tariffs with the proper paperwork and procedures,” Gale said.
Gale’s final note was a positive one: thanking all the members, as seed was identified as an essential role in the United States.
“Our industry has continued to overcome a number of hurdles,” he said. “Last year wasn’t a great year for a number of our farmers and has added to that financial stress. Working within the COVID rules has been very confusing because of all the different government regulations. The work you do is not easy, but it is critical. Everyone has stepped up to the task at hand.”
New Officers for a New Year
During the virtual annual meeting, one of the tasks was to approve the incoming officers on the ASTA leadership team.
The new leadership officers elected to serve in ASTA positions were:
- Vice President, Central Region: Dan Foor, La Crosse Seed
- Second Vice Chair: Jim Schweigert, Gro Alliance
- First Vice Chair: Brad May, BASF
- Chair: John Latham, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds
Replacing Wayne Gale as ASTA chair for the 2020-2021 year is John Latham, president of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds. And, even though the ceremony was virtual, there was still the ceremonial “passing of the gavel.”
“It’s a true honor for me to follow in your footsteps, Wayne, as I carry on this legacy that my late father did before me,” Latham said.
“On behalf of all of ASTA’s members and the global seed industry, I want to thank Wayne Gale for his tireless leadership over the past, highly unprecedented, year,” Latham said. “As many of you know, my family has a long and rich history of involvement with this association, and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to continue the tradition of service in this leadership role. Our industry, not unlike so many others, is certainly in the midst of challenging times, and I do not take this new role lightly. However, I know that this great industry, as we’ve always done in the past, will continue to rise to the occasion and find new, innovative solutions to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.”
ASTA Awards
Towards the end of the meeting, Gale presented the ASTA Distinguished Service Award to two ASTA members: Mary Smith of the Arkansas State Plant Board and Wayne Parrott of the University of Georgia.
Serving as the Arkansas State Seed Division Director and Seed Control Official since 1990, Smith is retiring after her long years of dedicated service during which she made significant contributions to the seed industry.
Parrott has been a tireless advocate in efforts to reach the public, elected and regulatory communities to address evolving plant breeding methods, including testifying before Congress and serving in a recent Plant Breeding Innovation session for federal regulators in Washington, D.C.
Finally, Gale presented the Honorary Lifetime Member Award, which is an award that dates back to 1907.
“Considering there are so many in the organization who contribute so much, it’s always difficult to narrow it down just to one,” Gale said. “Honorary members distinguish themselves through leadership, vision and service. They set the highest standard for all ASTA members.”
This year, there were two recipients of the ASTA Honorary Lifetime Member Award: Tom Moore of HM. CLAUSE and Bernice Slutsky of ASTA.
Moore is retiring this year, after having served the seed industry for 24 years. He has been a consistent leader within ASTA, participating on numerous committees including the Phytosanitary Committee, the International Executive Committee and the Emerging Diseases Committee. He also served as ASTA representative to the International Seed Federation Phytosanitary Committee.
Slutsky, having served on the ASTA staff as senior vice president for Innovation for the past 15 years, is entering retirement. The coordination and focus that Slutsky brought to the association enhanced ASTA’s strong leadership role in furthering policy around emerging and evolving plant breeding innovation; intellectual property rights policies regarding plant genetic resources; and international trade and policy.
Be sure to be on the lookout for more news concerning the registration and locations ASTA’s upcoming conferences.
