ASTA's Policy & Leadership Development Conference Underway In Denver, Colorado

Denver, CO (June 16, 2019) - The American Seed Trade Association's (ASTA) Policy & Leadership Development Conference (PLDC) started over the weekend in Denver, CO. The conference continues through Wednesday, June 19.

Highlights from the weekend included tours Sunday of Applewood Seed and Westrup, Inc. in Arvada, CO.

For photos from the conference, see Seed Today's Facebook page.

Applewood Seed General Manager Norm Poppe introduced the company to the attendees. He says it is a 53-year-old business started by Gene Milstein in 1965. Milstein, the company's president, greeted the visitors as well.

The tour included the company's warehouse, office, seed testing lab, and test plots.

Following the visit to Applewood Seed, the group saw the new office and warehouse for Westrup, Inc. in the United States. The company moved its U.S. operations from Texas to Colorado earlier this year.

Kevin Kidwell, Westrup sales manager North America, led the tour.

Other sessions Sunday included the Phytosanitary Committee meeting, lightning talks in the afternoon featuring Lisa Ryan, Grategy Chief Appreciation Strategist, on preparing your top talent for tomorrow and in the afternoon featuring Colorado's new FFA leadership team.

Leadership sessions included presentations about personal branding and networking.

The New Frontiers Welcome Reception was held Sunday evening.

Earlier, attendees heard insights Saturday from experts in talent management and multi-generational workforce.

Ag1Source Vice President Mark Waschek started the session by sharing four critical components to talent management. He shared a process companies can implement immediately for recruiting, hiring, retaining and growing new employees.

Ryan illuminated ways to navigate today's multi-generational workforce. She shared the challenges that come with working with multiple generations, the high-level values each generation has in the workforce, and how to "fix" it.

On Saturday evening, a group of ASTA members attended the Colorado Rockies baseball game at Coors Field against the San Diego Padres. The Rockies won 14-8.

The PLDC continues Monday with a general session "The Farmer of 2040" in the morning and "Hemp Seed: Opportunities and Challenges" in the afternoon. The IPR Committee will present a visit Tuesday to the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation. The Gala Banquet is scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Written by Chris Lusvardi, Seed Today editor