Seed Today - Q1 2009 - (Page 22)

ASTA Is Here for You ASTA’s success comes from the involvement of all its members What ASTA Has Meant to Me At the conclusion of 48th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), I reflected once again how important this conference has been to both me and my business. I have been coming to the Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference for over 30 years. Not only has it helped me to grow my business, but it has also helped me to grow as a person and as a seedsman. The contacts I have made throughout the years have been invaluable. The informative sessions provide insight into new ways of doing business, motivating my employees, managing assets, and marketing products. To me, it is an investment. Some would say I don’t have the time or the money but I have learned I cannot afford not to make the investment. The venue offers an immeasurable opportunity to conduct business for the year to come and build partnerships for years to come. It was this first exposure to ASTA, through the conference, that made me sit up and take notice. As most that have moved into ASTA leadership positions, I was encouraged to get involved. I was active in my division, in my region, and then took the opportunity to move into the ranks of the ASTA officers. It has been my ACTIVE involvement in ASTA which has brought me the greatest benefits. I have often said, “You get out of ASTA what you put into it.” I hold firmly to this belief in just about everything that I do, and my work with ASTA is no different. ASTA membership is of even more value when you are actively engaged in the association. credited me with “planting the seed” to run for an officer position in the division. Ron had approached me about ideas he had for the division and for ASTA as a whole. He recounted that it was then that I encouraged him to seek out a leadership role in the organization. Ron remarked, “I decided to get off the fence and get involved.” Membership Value Begins With an Active Member roots. It comes from you. You and your active involvement. ASTA sets its goals based on grass roots initiatives, and ASTA’s staff work to keep members informed of important areas of interest and coordinate grass roots efforts among states and, importantly, as issues arise on Capitol Hill. ASTA’s work with legislators is important, but it is your voice, your email, your letter that has the largest impact whether it is to someone in Washington, DC, or your statehouse. Involvement—that is the key. My involvement was a wise investment. I encourage you to get involved, join a committee, volunteer as a ‘Beyond the Seed’ spokesperson, host a FuSE Education Unit, be a mentor to our new talent through Campus Connections or take advantage of one of the many sponsorship opportunities. ASTA conferences are jammed packed with informative sessions, dynamic discussions and budding business deals. There are so many ways ASTA members can get involved. It is simple—contact ASTA leadership or staff to find out the best fit for your time and talents. “It is your voice, your e-mail, your letter that has the largest impact whether on Capitol Hill or your statehouse.” Kelly Keithly, ASTA Chairman 2008-09 2009 Annual Convention The upcoming 126th Annual Convention from June 20-24th in Scottsdale is a wonderful opportunity to get started on this New Year’s resolution of active membership—become a part of the many activities, efforts and opportunities ASTA has to offer. ASTA is driven by its members—we need you at the wheel! Kelly Keithly is 2008-9 Chairman of ASTA, the American Seed Trade Association, Alexandria, VA (703-837-8140/ www.amseed.org) and Chariman, Keithly-Willimas Seeds, Holtville, CA. Grass Roots Efforts The success of ASTA cannot be traced to a single individual, a single decision or a single event. ASTA’s success comes from the involvement and leadership of all its members. It comes from our grass 22 First Quarter 2009 Getting Off the Fence I had to smile as I listened to Ron Amarel, chairman of the Vegetable & Flower Seed Division, as he made his opening remarks before the division. He http://www.amseed.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Seed Today - Q1 2009

Seed Today - Q1 2009 Contents Editor’s Notes Tri-State Seed LLC Blue Mountain Seed, Inc. Clearwater Seed According to ASTA Risa DeMasi Crystal Fricker AOSCA AOSA/SCST Oxbo International Hamer LLC Perten Insturments Taylor Products BinMaster Level Controls Dean Cavey Farmer Suicides in India: A Social Concern Unrelated to Bt Cotton Ad Index

Seed Today - Q1 2009

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.