Alexandria, Virginia
July 2, 2009Source:
American Seed Trade Association
(ASTA)
Seed E-News
 The
American Seed Research Foundation (ASRF) commemorated its
golden anniversary on June 22, 2009 at the 2009 ASRF Annual
Meeting held in conjunction with the 126th Annual Convention of
the American Seed Trade
Association (ASTA).
In 1959, the members of ASTA recognized the changing dynamics of
agriculture and the seed industry. ASTA forged new ground in all
areas from moving their headquarters from Chicago to Washington,
DC, to the inception of ASRF. The advances in research and the
innovation of the 1950s and 1960s laid the foundation for what
was later called the "Green Revolution" which delivered hardy
and high yielding seeds to feed the growing and often
impoverished people around the world.
 ASTA
remained closely involved with scientific study and advances
during these times, and in 1959, ASRF first opened its doors,
starting what would become a 50-year success story. The
Foundation's primary purpose was to promote research in plant
and seed technology that would benefit seed companies, farmers
and consumers.
Basic research in seed science takes considerable investment in
resources and time. Most basic research can not be justified for
the individual company, regardless of its size. State and
federal experiment stations do some basic research in the area
of seed science, but funding and facilities are limited and
often prioritized to other activities. One way to increase the
knowledge in seed sciences is for the seed industry to directly
offer financial support to specific projects to enhance the
publicly available information on seed growth and development to
be utilized by all in seed research and innovation.
The efforts of ASRF have adapted and grown over time, but the
mission remains committed to encouraging research in plant and
seed biology and to facilitate the transfer of resulting
technology to benefit the seed industry, farmers and consumers
on a global basis. ASRF has seen many successes in its 50 years.
The Foundation has funded 54 project proposals. The total
investment of ASRF in support of basic seed research has
exceeded $800,000. These funds stimulated other sources of
research support, with a three to one multiplier effect, adding
another $2.5 million of matching funds provided by other
cooperating organizations. ASRF funds have been distributed to
32 public institutions and supported 69 individual seed
researchers.
"The American Seed Research Foundation has been the catalyst for
encouraging investment in basic plant and seed biology research
for over 50 years," said Rob Robinson, past ASRF president.
"With a 3 to 1 multiplier on dollars invested, ARSF funded
research has had a major impact on our understanding of why
plants behave as they do. ASRF members, the seed industry and
society at large have all greatly benefited from the good work
of ASRF."
ASRF has expanded its activities to reach deeper into the
research community through various initiatives. Operation
Student Connection (OSC) is an outreach program begun as a part
of the "Re-Energyzing ASRF" strategic planning activities of
2000, which included education as one leading component of ASRF
efforts. ASRF assists and encourages graduate students majoring
in seed biology or seed science and technology to attend and
participate in ASTA's annual convention, thereby sharing
valuable insight into the private sector of the seed industry
and establishing personal contact with members of the seed
trade. Students that have been selected to participate in OSC
may have the opportunity to apply for the Roger Krueger Memorial
Scholarship, directed toward students in agriculture - the
future of the seed industry.
ASRF, in partnership with ASTA and the National Council of
Commercial Plant Breeders (NCCPB), held the first American Seed
Research Summit on Sept. 25-26, 2008, in Chicago, Ill. The
summit brought together leaders in public and private sector
seed research to outline a strategic plan to help address the
various hurdles facing seed research - training and education,
funding, research trends, prioritization and public-private
partnerships. Finding solutions and providing resourceful
partnerships is critical because seed innovation and technology
play a vital role in meeting the growing demand for food, feed,
fiber and fuel. Robinson remarked that the first American Seed
Research Summit was a resounding success. "Some of the brightest
research leaders in industry, government and academia
participated in creating an action plan that promises to move
American seed research forward dramatically in the years to
come."
ASRF also has the legal and administrative structure to disperse
such tax deductible contributions that would support research
which is aimed at specific segments of the seed industry
represented by the various ASTA divisions. In 1991, ASRF assumed
responsibility for the administration of the Vegetable & Flower
Permanent Research Fund, the Corn Permanent Research Fund, the
Soybean Permanent Research Fund and the Fruit Blotch Ad Hoc
Research Fund. |
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