Flags of eight countries were displayed on stage in the Drake Hotel Grand Ballroom during AOSCA's Annual Meeting June 23-26 in Chicago, representing where AOSCA has member agencies. The countries include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Canada, the United States, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. (Chris Lusvardi photo)
Chicago, IL (July 5, 2019) - In December 1919, representatives from thirteen states and Canada met in Chicago to form an organization that would set uniform standards for seed certification across North America. Out of that meeting came the International Crop Improvement Association. In the century following 1919, the name has been changed to the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) and its membership has grown to include the United States, Canada, and six other nations. AOSCA seed certification standards have expanded to include over 60 major crop types grown around the world, are the basis for Federal and international seed standards, and are the foundation for practices used by the global seed industry for the production of high quality, pure seed.
AOSCA members and their guests, invited dignitaries, and seed industry representatives returned to Chicago and the historic Drake Hotel to celebrate the Association’s 100th Anniversary and annual meeting June 23-26, 2019. The event culminated with a Centennial Gala and Awards Banquet on Tuesday evening, June 25.
Two AOSCA members were recognized for their many years of service to the Association and the seed industry. Alan Galbreth, Chief Executive Officer of Indiana Crop Improvement Association, and Cindy Wippler, General Manager of Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, were announced as the newest recipients of AOSCA Honorary Membership. Not only was AOSCA celebrating its history, but it was making history as well, because Cindy Wippler is the first woman to be recognized as an AOSCA Honorary Member.
The high point of the evening was a keynote address from Major General John Borling (Retired – USAF) entitled “Centennial Sense: Seeding the Next Century”. On his 97th mission as a pilot flying missions over North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, Borling was shot down and spent the next 6 ½ years in captivity in the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison. His only means of communicating with other captives was by using a code of taps on the walls of their cells. To keep his mind active, he composed poems that he shared with his fellow prisoners using the code. The poems and other reflections became the theme for his book, “Taps on the Walls”.
General Borling retired after spending 37 years in the Air Force and he has received numerous commendations and awards for his service.
Two meetings take place concurrently when AOSCA members meet. The general membership meeting is held to deal with Association business and the Certification Requirements and Standards Council (Council) meets to deal with specific issues related to seed certification standards. Several commodity committees met and made a number of recommendations, in addition to amendments to existing AOSCA Standards. The Council adopted changes to certification standards for industrial hemp, sunflowers, and PVG programs.
For photos from the event, go to Seed Today’s Facebook page.