Join us for this important kick-off session for this year's Farm and Lawn Seed Conference! The session begins with special words of welcome from the Western Seed Association, our annual partnering organization in Kansas City each year when the conference is typically held live. Then, presentations include a service update from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a grass seed issues update and then a special ASTA state and federal policy issues update - on the day of the United States presidential election! Don't miss it!

1:30 pm – 1:45 pm Western Seed Association Welcome:  Matt Fenske, President & CEO, Millborn Seeds / President, Western Seed Assn

1:45 – 2:15 pm-------------- Natural Resources Conservation Service Update:  Kevin Norton, Acting Chief – NRCS

2:15 – 3:00 pm------- Grass Seed: Issues Update

• “Kentucky 31”, Elizabeth Savory, PhD, Program Manager, Oregon Department of Agriculture & Ernest Allen, Director, USDA, AMS, S&T Seed Regulatory and Testing Division
• “Oregon Seed Import Program Process Change (APHIS)”, Mindy Duerst, Ioka Marketing
   
• “Korean Testing Issue” by Ric Dunkle, Sr. Director, Seed Health and Trade, ASTA
   
• “Shipping & Trade”, Abigail Struxness, Sr. Director, International Programs & Policy, ASTA
  • “International Trade Issues”
  • “West Seattle Bridge Closure”
  • “Counterfeit Blue Tags”