The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) will hold its fifth annual Conservation Seed Workshop March 15 and 16 in Washington, D.C. “Partnerships for Native Plant Materials Development: Local Ecotypes,” will be jointly hosted by ASTA, the USDA’s National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Plant Materials Program, the U.S .Forest Service and the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

“Our goal is to bring together seed professionals, government agencies and non-profit groups to explore opportunities to improve native plants used in conservation, reclamation and restoration activities,” said Wayne Vassar, chair of the ASTA Environmental and Conservation Seed Committee, and president and CEO of Sharp Bros. Seed Co., Clinton, Mo. “Finding the right ecotypes, or plants that have adapted to their local environmental and habitat conditions, is essential to the preservation of native grasses and wildflowers.” ASTA members participating in the workshop will also meet with Congressional leaders to discuss issues affecting conservation programs, alternative fuels, and the 2007 Farm Bill.

Vassar noted that USDA officials would provide updates on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) renewals for 2007 and 2008, which will have a direct impact on the seed industry. “We recognize that the Administration’s major push for more ethanol production from corn and other cellulosic inputs will increase pressure to remove acres from CRP and we need to look at how that may affect our industry.”

Officials from the Federal highway Administration will also provide an update on the uses of grasses and forbs on roadsides.

The policy-oriented discussions will examine the “big picture” needs of end-users, the existing plant selection process, and the realities of the commercial sector to produce appropriate materials. “We are hopeful that these discussions will lead to a better understanding of the entire process, so that we can develop better ways to meet the needs for conservation and native seeds,” said Vassar.

ASTA members are responsible for growing and delivering the bulk of the native seed used in USDA conservation programs as well as seeding other government lands (e.g., Forest Service and BLM).

The meeting will be held at USDA facilities in Washington. For additional details and to register, contact Leslie Cahill, lcahill@amseed.org or call (703) 837-8140. A reduced room rate for ASTA member participants is available at the Hotel Washington; contact Jennifer Lord (jlord@amseed.org) at ASTA, to request reservations.

Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), located in Alexandria, Va., 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.