AOSCA Celebrates 100-Year Anniversary During Annual Meeting In Chicago

Chicago, IL (June 28, 2019) – The Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) celebrated its 100-year anniversary June 23-26 during its Annual Meeting held at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, IL.

For photos from the event, go to Seed Today’s Facebook page.

The Drake Hotel was selected as the host site because of its historical connections with the organization. The Drake was being built in 1919 at the same time representatives from 13 states and Canada met in Chicago to discuss how they could develop an organization that would uniformly maintain the identity of seed varieties and promote the growing seed trade across North America.

Out of that meeting came the International Crop Improvement Association. Its name was changed to AOSCA in 1968.

During the century following that first meeting, seed certification standards adopted by AOSCA and administered by its member agencies have become the foundation for global seed production systems. Seed customers for generations have benefited from a consistent supply of pure, high quality seed. AOSCA’s Standards are an integral part of Federal and State seed laws and served as the blueprint for global seed certification programs.

The organization has grown in its international reach. Flags of eight countries were displayed on stage during the Annual Meeting in Chicago, representing where AOSCA has member agencies. The countries include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada, and the United States.

The purpose of the 100-year anniversary celebration was to commemorate a century of service to the global seed industry and look forward to the opportunities for service in the years ahead.

“We want to be positive and forward thinking,” AOSCA CEO Chet Boruff says. “It’s simply a matter of how we get there. We want to work collectively to keep being a vital part of the global seed industry so 50, 100 years from now, they might appreciate the path we prepare for them.”

A proclamation from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared June 23-30 Seed Certification Week in the state in recognition of AOSCA’s anniversary. Illinois Crop Improvement Association CEO Doug Miller presented the proclamation during the opening meeting Monday, June 24 and banquet Tuesday, June 25.

Throughout the week, several committees met, including the Industrial Hemp Committee. AOSCA has been at the forefront of developing standards related to the recent increased interest in industrial hemp production, Boruff says.

“None of us has experienced a movement in agriculture like it in our career,” says Boruff, who started as AOSCA CEO on Nov. 1, 2004. “I don’t know where the road will take us.”

Attendees were given time during the week to explore Chicago, including many attending the Chicago Cubs game Monday, June 24 against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won 8-3.

At the banquet held Tuesday, June 25, two new Honorary Members were recognized, including retiring Indiana Crop Improvement Association CEO Alan Galbreth and Minnesota Crop Improvement Association General Manager Cindy Wippler.

Wippler became the first woman in the organization’s history to receive the honor.

Allan B. Simons, AOSCA President from 2003-2005, talked about some of the organization’s history by presenting “Recognizing AOSCA’s 2004 Evolution” and how the group has changed over the years.

Keynote Speaker Gen. John Borling (USAF-Retired) presented “Centennial Sense: Seeding the Next Century.” Borling talked about his experience as a POW during the Vietnam War and the fight to survive by tapping on the walls to communicate with other prisoners.

Old programs, photos, and other regulatory information were on display during the meeting in the group’s Hospitality Suite, which was where Princess Diana stayed while she visited Chicago in 1996.

AOSCA will hold its next Annual Meeting June 21-24, 2020 in Seattle, WA.

Written by Chris Lusvardi, Seed Today editor