Alexandria, Virginia
June 23, 2008
The
American Seed Trade Association
(ASTA) announced today the formation of the First the Seed
Foundation, officially launched at the 125th Annual
Convention of the association. The seed industry established the
foundation to provide education and outreach about today's
vibrant seed industry and its promise for the future. The food,
fiber, feed and fuel demands of an ever increasing population
make it more important than ever to educate the general public
about the story of agriculture and the role of seed, as well as
attract the best and brightest minds to agricultural fields of
study. Bud Hughes of Verdant Partners has been named president
of the Board for the foundation.
The mission of the First the Seed Foundation is to conduct
education, outreach and communication on the value of crops and
food produced from seed," said President and CEO Andy LaVigne.
"We, as the seed industry, have a great story to tell about our
contributions to American agriculture, and ultimately, to the
lives of people around the world. The foundation will provide a
platform to educate today's world and tomorrow's work force
about the importance of the seed industry."
Today's consumer demands healthy food for their bodies, improved
feed for livestock, better fiber for the clothes they wear and
cleaner fuel for the vehicles they drive. Recent advancements in
seed innovation using plant technologies have helped to meet the
growing market demand for agricultural products. The progress
made by the seed industry in the last 20 years is greater than
ever before; however, very few people are aware of the
contributions of the industry to their everyday lives.
Fewer than 2 million Americans are actively engaged in farming,
yet agriculture generates some 22 million jobs in the United
States, mostly located off-farm. The efficiency of today's U.S.
farmers allows them to produce 16 percent of the world's food
supply, freeing others to pursue other occupations and career
paths. Many are not aware of the science and technology that
drives agriculture, solves its many challenges and offers many
opportunities.
The highest priority of the First the Seed Foundation is the
education of today's youth. Efforts of the foundation will begin
with outreach about seed to grade schools through multimedia and
web-based curriculum to be used in classrooms, development of an
introductory video on the seed industry's role in American
agriculture, the distribution of seed and informational kits to
schools and youth organizations and the promotion of the value
of quality seed and the impacts of the seed industry on every
person's life who eats food or uses agricultural products.
Contributions can be made to the First the Seed Foundation by
contacting the ASTA office.
ASTA promotes the development of better seed to produce
better crops for a better quality of life. Founded in 1883,
ASTA, located in Alexandria, Va., is one of the oldest trade
organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of
approximately 750 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. |
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