The ASTA Advisory Council (AC) held its summer meeting on June 11, 2025, following the ASTA Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. As your Regional Vice President, I want to take this opportunity to provide you an overview of the key issues of discussion and outcomes from the meeting. Attached is the agenda for your reference; if you would like more information on any of the topics, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
ASTA Internal Matters
The ASTA Advisory Council approved the proposed FY 2025-26 budget for the association and approved nine new members. Additionally, the AC agreed to move forward with the draft ASTA Value Proposition, to be used in outreach efforts to current and potential members.
ASTA Leadership Summit Recap
The 2025 Leadership Summit was a great success with 179 total registrants; 148 participated in 87 meetings with representatives and senators representing 24 states for ASTA’s Advocacy Day From running into other each other while we traversed the halls of Congress as we went from one meeting to another, to engaging with members of Congress and their staff about our industry’s policy priorities, our advocacy day left an impact on policymakers and Leadership Summit attendees alike. I was proud to join one of the 17 teams who met with congressional members and staff on June 10.
Washington D.C. can seem like a big place, with lots of high ranking, powerful people….and IT IS. But as a member of one of the many teams of ASTA members that collectively made over 80 visits to Congressional and Senate offices, the small group visits made the place seem smaller and the people more relatable. The ASTA staff had done their work and had us well prepared to have conversations to be the voice and advocate for seed and agriculture as well as finding the things that staff members and elected officials needed from us.
I have personally participated in half a dozen visits over the years and highly recommend EVERY member of ASTA participate in at least one visit in their lifetime. Put it on your bucket list if you haven’t done it! You will find how valuable this day of investment can be in your overall life learning experience and in building relationships with others. You don’t have to know much to join a group, you just need to be willing to ask questions, listen, and pay attention to what our leaders and staff members need.
Take a look at the photos from the 2025 Leadership Summit here.
Meetings
After listening to feedback from ASTA membership, the Meetings Committee is discussing future opportunities for the summer meeting. A potential option is hosting the meeting every other year (odd-numbered years) in Washington, D.C., with a focus on advocacy and political engagement. The Committee will continue to meet to refine the options and come to a final decision in the coming months.
Additionally, ASTA staff is working on building the 2025 Field Crop Seed Convention program, and it is anticipated that registration will open in August. Save the date for December 9-12 in Orlando, FL!
National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) Advocacy
Dr. Neha Kothari, National Program Leader at USDA ARS, made a presentation about the NPGS and its importance for the U.S. seed industry and requested assistance in supporting the U.S. germplasm system. If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact Sam Crowell.