American Seed Trade Association

08/15/2026

Bees play an important role in seed production. On , we’re highlighting how these pollinators support the seed industry.

08/13/2026

Last month, ASTA's Director of State Affairs, Jordan Gregory, attended the American Association of Seed Control Officials' (AASCO) 40th Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Jordan shared updates on ASTA's advocacy efforts and joined discussions with seed industry leaders, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service staff, and other stakeholders on issues shaping the industry. The meeting also included Federal Seed Act training, a tour of the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, and discussions on the importance of native seed to Minnesota's ecosystems.

Participating in meetings like AASCO helps ASTA stay engaged with industry partners and regulators while contributing to the conversations shaping the future of the seed industry.

08/12/2026

? High-quality seed is the foundation of a strong agricultural system. Better seed helps drive sustainability, strengthen food security, and advance across . When farmers start with , everyone benefits.

08/11/2026

As the busy fall season approaches, ASTA is looking forward to bringing members together through a variety of events and engagement opportunities.🗓️

Attending an ASTA conference is a great way to connect with peers and contribute to the conversations shaping our industry.

We look forward to seeing you at an event this fall!

08/10/2026

📦📥Update your records because we've moved locations!
Our new mailing address is 1900 Duke Street, Suite 505, Alexandria, VA 22314

08/06/2026

While we are disappointed the farm bill did not advance today, ASTA continues to urge all sides to keep working together to deliver certainty to America's farmers, seed producers, and families.

08/03/2026

🍉 ? 92% of all watermelon sales in America are of the seedless variety.
Seedless watermelons are a result of decades of plant breeding and seed innovation.

www.watermelon.org/the-slice/where-does-seedless-watermelon-come-from/

07/31/2026

? Avocado seeds make up 17% of the fruit and contain 60% of the total nutrients. These seeds contain various functional and bioactive components, including proteins, lipids, minerals, and vitamins.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9789361/

07/30/2026

🎉July was full of wins for ASTA and the seed industry!
From attending industry events to commenting on legislation, the ASTA team has been hard at work this month.

Four outstanding highlights were:

🌎 The USTR exempted planting seeds and other ag products from its Section 301 forced labor tariffs across 60 economies after years of sustained advocacy by ASTA staff and members

🌱 Jordan Gregory contributed to a treated seeds panel at Seeds Canada Conference

📝 ASTA submitted comments on 9 pieces of seed industry legislation advocating for our members

🤝 Collin Cisco networked with western state representatives at the annual Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture (WASDA) meeting

07/29/2026

🔬💻USDA is inviting companies and universities to contribute images, field observations, or lab data to assist in the development of cutting-edge AI tools.

This software will help researchers identify valuable plant and seed traits more efficiently and turn data into actionable insights that can accelerate the development of more productive crop varieties and strengthen the innovation pipeline.

ASTA supports the USDA's efforts towards advancing plant research and agricultural innovation.

🌱Read more about the challenge here:
https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/07/22/usda-asks-partners-develop-ai-solutions-accelerate-crop-innovation

USDA Asks Partners to Develop AI Solutions to Accelerate Crop Innovation USDA Office of Communications sent this bulletin at 07/22/2026 01:04 PM EDT View as a webpage / Share Office of Communications | [email protected] USDA Asks Partners to Develop AI Solutions to Accelerate Crop Innovation (Washingto...