Event brings industry leaders together in Nashville, TN

Written by Chris Lusvardi, Seed Today Editor

For more photos from the ASTA Leadership Summit, see the Seed Today Facebook page.

Dave Armstrong. (Chris Lusvardi photos)
Dave Armstrong. (Chris Lusvardi photos)

Nashville, TN (June 17, 2024) - The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Leadership Summit this week in Nashville, TN has brought together members of the seed industry with a wide mix of career experience.

The theme of the event is GROW, meaning Grow, Reach, Open, and Work. ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne says their goal is for attendees to come away from the conference with a real actionable set of takeaways when they get back to their operation or office. 

The Student Connections program includes younger members of the industry invited to participate in the conference. The students are Amaka Ifeduba, Amare Hailessilase, Gagendeep Kaur, Krista Zapata, Navdeep Godara, and Olivier Ndayiraamije.

According to ASTA Chair Dave Armstrong, the association's accomplishments this year have included plant breeding innovation with a key focus on policy alignment.

"We've made a lot of progress on gene editing alignment and other issues," Armstrong says. 

He notes 80 pieces of seed-related legislation are cascading through the federal and state levels of government. Armstrong adds the Farm Bill is moving forward with ASTA focused behind the scenes. ASTA members should engage with their state and federal lawmakers on issues of importance, especially Armstrong during the election year.

ASTA Awards

ASTA recognized its annual award honorees during a reception Monday evening. Those include the Heritage Awards, Seed Science Foundation "Excellence in Science" Award, Lifetime Honorary Member Awards, and Distinguished Service Award.

Heritage Awards

John Gerard
John Gerard

The Heritage Award was created to preserve and build history and to honor and recognize individuals who have significantly impacted ASTA and the seed industry. It seeks to inspire the next generation of leaders, and instill a sense of pride in the rich history of the seed industry and ASTA.

This year's recipients of the Heritage Award are Harold Loden (1918-2001) and John Gerard.

Gerard says it was quite an honor to receive the award because of the love of the business he serves. It has been a privilege to represent ASTA, he says. Gerard sees the future of the industry at the conference, with those there working to put food on his table and growing grass in his garden.

Roger Krueger Memorial Scholarship

Henry Alexander Cordoba Novoa, right.
Henry Alexander Cordoba Novoa, right.

Henry Alexander Cordoba Novoa was selected to receive the Seed Science Foundation's scholarship this year.

Novoa, a Ph.D student in plant breeding and genetics at McGill University in Montreal, QC, says "all of us have been inspired by someone." He says Krueger was an inspiration to many in the industry and he was honored to feel part of the family, which is what makes the seed community different.

Excellence in Science Award

Ric Dunkle, center.
Ric Dunkle, center.

The Seed Science Foundation's Excellence in Science Award recognizes the outstanding achievement by a public or private researcher whose accomplishments have had an impact in the areas of Breeding Systems, Seed Quality, Seed Production and Technology, Seed Health and Pathology, Digital Agriculture, or Seed Applied Technology.

The award was presented to Ric Dunkle, who worked for ASTA since January 2008 before retiring in December 2023 as senior director, seed health and trade. He began his career working for the USDA and spent over 30 years in the federal government before joining ASTA.

Dunkle says he hoped to apply what he learned from his government experience to help ASTA members out. He is truly humbled to receive the recognition. Earlier in the day, Armstrong presented Dunkle with a book looking back at his career with memories from his colleagues.

Lifetime Honorary Member Award

Jim Radtke
Jim Radtke
Dave Armstrong, left, and Norm Poppe.
Dave Armstrong, left, and Norm Poppe.

ASTA's Lifetime Honorary Member Award is one of the highest awards bestowed by the association and is in recognition of untiring service to ASTA as well as the industry.

The honorees this year were Jim Radtke, Cibus, Inc. vice president, product development; and Norm Poppe, Applewood Seed Co. CEO.

Radtke calls it a privilege to work with the ASTA group.

"When you believe in something, you should support it," Radtke says. "This is an organization I certainly support."

Poppe says he never thought he'd receive such an honor as the leader of a small flower seed company. Working in the industry has provided Poppe with opportunities he never thought possible, including having just returned from Ethiopia in time for the conference.

Distinguished Service Award

The ASTA Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the association and the seed industry.

Stephanie Bloem, who has been the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) executive director since 2015, received the award.

Armstrong says presenting the awards is a great opportunity to recognize so many people who have done great things for the seed industry.