The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) names Bethany Shively as its new director of communications. Shively comes to ASTA from the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) where she led the association’s communications efforts for the past five years.
“We’re excited to bring Bethany on to the ASTA team as we continue to communicate the exciting advances occurring in the seed industry,” says ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne. “Bethany brings a great deal of experience from agriculture associations, to political positions in previous Administration’s and to Capitol Hill. Her broad background will be extremely beneficial to the association as we seek to communicate the evolution of the American seed industry.”
As director of communications for ASTA, Shively will work with ASTA’s staff and the association’s leadership to promote the seed industry’s regulatory and legislative positions, as well as its many initiatives to support education and research, careers in the seed industry, and the quality management, movement and stewardship of seed.
“I’m excited to take on this new role and utilize my experience and knowledge of the agriculture sector to be an advocate for the seed industry,” says Shively. “The seed industry has a great story to tell, and I’m eager to help ASTA bring that story to life. I look forward to working on behalf of our members to raise awareness about the new and emerging issues impacting seed production, and how our industry is working to meet the world’s growing demand for food, feed, fiber and fuel.”
Prior to her time at NACD, Shively held communications posts at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Senate. Originally from Boston, Shively is a graduate of James Madison University, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with a degree in journalism and marketing.
