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Gearing Up for ASTA's 131st Annual Convention- Start Your Engines!
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ASTA's an nual convention is just around the corner. Held June 11-14, this is your opportunity to work with your peers to craft policy on issues facing the industry. We hope you can join us in Indianapolis for exciting opportunities such as hearing from speakers like Purdue University President Mitch Daniels and World Food Prize Laureates Phillip Nelson and Gebisa Ejeta.
New sessions and committees offer opportunities to get involved. Learn more about cover crops and the role the seed industry can play in the future. The Biotechnology Committee has been expanded and renamed as the Innovations and Policy Committee. It will discuss new breeding techniques and development of an ASTA position paper on breeding innovation and seed Low Level Presence. Attend the Legislative and Legal Concerns Committee and you'll hear updates on the latest happenings from state capitals and Washington, D.C.
The fun doesn't stop there. With events like the Gary Arthur Memorial 5K Fun Run/Walk, First- the Seed Foundation Sport Shooting Contest, ASTA Night at the Ballpark and Gala Banquet featuring the Galaxy Band, there is sure to be something for everyone.
Don't miss out on this event! Registration and hotel information can be found here.
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New Cover Crops Session at ASTA's 131st Annual Convention
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ASTA has recognized that the increasing use and promotion of cover crops in recent years provides opportunities and challenges for the seed industry. In Indianapolis, we will be kicking off a new Cover Crops Working Group. On Wednesday, June 11 from 8:00 a.m.- noon, hear from representatives from federal and state government, non-governmental organizations and seed companies including the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, the Conservation Technology Information Center, NRCS and the Indiana Seed Administrator.
They will share information on building cover crops utilization, pollinator initiatives, cover crops and seed laws, and what farmers need from seed companies. Our meeting location in Indianapolis provides an excellent chance to hear what factors have helped Indiana become a leader in cover crop adaption.
Registration for ASTA's 131st Annual Convention is required to attend the cover crops session.If you have any questions, contact Jane DeMarchi.
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FuSE Events During ASTA Annual Convention
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FuSE & Management Skills Committee Meeting
FuSE and the Management Skills Committee will host a meeting Thursday, June 12 from 2:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. Doug Austrom of Turning Point Associates will present 'The Power of Inclusive Leadership.' Turning Point Associates is an Indianapolis based consulting firm specializing in strategy deployment, leadership development, improving organizational effectiveness and customer satisfaction.
An RSVP is preferred in order to accurately prepare meeting materials, but not required to attend. Those planning to attend can RSVP here.
FuSE/American Seed Research Foundation Reception
The FuSE and ASRF Reception will be held at the NCAA Hall of Champions on Thursday, June 12 from 3:30 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
There will be several awards presented, including the ASRF Roger Krueger Memorial Scholarship, Future Giants of the Seed Industry Award and the FuSE Founder Awards. FuSE's 10th birthday will also be celebrated with cupcakes and interactive exhibits around the hall.
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ASTA International Session Survey
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ASTA International Session facilitators have created a short survey to get you thinking before the International Session. This 5-question survey will help ASTA staff managing international programs understand what markets and issues are most important to your company and adjust efforts so that ASTA can address the issues that matter most to membership. The International Session will be held on Friday, June 13 from 3:30 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6WJVSYM
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State of the States
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Jackson County, Oregon GMO Ban Initiative Passes
By almost a 2-1 margin, the residents of Jackson County, Oregon passed a ballot initiative to ban GE crops in the southwestern Oregon county. As passed, the ordinance bans any person from propagating, cultivating, raising or growing genetically engineered plants in Jackson County.
Barry Bushue, president of the Oregon Farm Bureau, said, "Regrettably ideology defeated sound science and common sense in Jackson County."
Garnering national attention, almost $1 million was raised to defeat the proposed ban. "The voters here have many generations of fruit and vegetable growing, so they're among the most educated voters," said Chuck Burr, president of the Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association. "The opposition spent a million dollars and couldn't convince the people."
Nearby Josephine County had a similar vote with a similar outcome. However, because the Oregon legislature passed a pre-emption law last session, the courts will ultimately decide the validity of that vote. Jackson County was specifically exempted in the bill because the ballot initiative was already underway when the law went into effect. Three other counties plan to have similar initiatives in the near future, defying the state pre-emption law.
Enforcement by the county is estimated to cost $219,000 per year. Farmers are required to harvest, destroy or remove all genetically engineered plants within 12 months.
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Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus Brochure Available
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Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus first appeared in the U.S. in 2013. However, the disease affecting cucurbit species has long since been an issue in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
ASTA and the California Seed Association, in partnership with HM.CLAUSE and other companies, has released a brochure detailing the causes and sources of the virus, how to diagnose it and recommendations for control.
The brochure can be found here.
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FuSE Offers Workshop on Seed Processing and Farming
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FuSE is  hosting an educational unit in Rocky Ford, Colorado, September 23-25, 2014. The workshop will include a session on seed processing at Oliver Manufacturing, a session with Hollar Seeds, and a session on Rocky Ford's recent rebranding efforts, as well as a discussion on irrigated farming and water laws in a dry state.
Tentative Agenda
� Tuesday, September 23, 2014
- Evening Reception in Rocky Ford
- Discussion on irrigated farming and water laws in a dry state
� Wednesday, September 24, 2014
- Session on seed processing/gravity separators at Oliver Manufacturing
- Session with Hollar Seeds
� Thursday, September 25, 2014
- Session on rebranding of the Rocky Ford name
- Departure
Please visit the FuSE Upcoming Events webpage for more information on the workshop.
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Seeding Success
It's your membership and financial support that allows ASTA to do this work and get you the information you need. Please encourage other seed industry colleagues to join ASTA and contribute to the success of the industry.
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American Seed Trade Association
1701 Duke Street, Suite 275
Alexandria , VA 22314
(p) 703.837.8140 │ (f) 703.837.9365
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ASTA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact ASTA at 703-837-8140.
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