The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Bruce Knight recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) to promote better exchange of seed technology.

“This partnership will ensure that quality native seed is available for future conservation efforts. Native seed supplies are essential and must be available for conservation program participants,” Knight said.

The NRCS Plant Materials Program selects plants that are important to conservation efforts and develops innovative planting technologies that make the plants more effective in solving conservation concerns. The program includes a network of 26 plant materials centers that work with commercial seed producers to make sure that high quality seed needed for conservation work is available.

In addition, NRCS works closely with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to make recommendations for reseeding after wildfires and other major disturbances, as well as to improve rangeland quality in the West.

The five-year MOU to exchange cultivation information and technology extends to those activities of ASTA, the NRCS Plant Materials Program and related programs that apply to conservation of natural resources.

Signatories to the MOU were Knight and Dick Crowder, ASTA President and CEO.

Additional information on the NRCS Plant Materials Program can be found at http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov

Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), located in Washington, DC, is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of about 850 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues of industry importance. Its mission is to enhance the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide.