The Joint CSA Field Seed/Seed Certification/Turf Seed and Vegetable/Flower Seed/Grower Shipper Committee meeting will bring together committee members to discuss current issues and developments in field and turf seed production, certification standards, and quality assurance, as well as vegetable and flower seed production, grower-shipper relationships, and plant health.  Committee members discuss issues affecting the industry and collaborative strategies to support industry sustainability, improve communications across the supply chain, and ensure healthy, high-quality seed production. 

The Plant Variety Protection Board is a federal advisory committee consisting of 14 members, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The primary responsibility of the Board is to advise the Secretary on developing rules and regulations to ensure the effective administration of the Plant Variety Protection Act. The Board includes farmers, professionals from the seed industry, members of trade and professional associations, and experts from public and private research institutions. Members serve two-year terms.

This session requires advance registration and completion of this registration form in order to indicate your interest in attending. Contact Kaity Crawford at kcrawford@betterseed.org if you have questions about getting on the list to attend this special, all-day program.

Get to know all about SALT with our new introduction video!

ASTA’s Seed Ambassador Leadership Team (SALT) is a diverse network of ASTA members who actively engage, promote, and support the seed industry with a unified voice. ASTA provides members of this exclusive team with free training and ongoing support to help them become everyday seed ambassadors. Training workshops feature expert speakers providing interactive training in areas such as: answering tough questions, personal branding, social media strategy, communications styles, and how to be an effective every-day ambassador for the industry.

The Industry Communication & Youth Activities Committee meeting focuses on enhancing outreach and engagement across the seed industry and with future professionals. Committee members will discuss communication strategies, educational resources, and youth-focused initiatives that promote seed science, career pathways, and industry awareness.  For CSA attendees only.

This is a meeting of the vegetable and flower technical subcommittee of the Phytosanitary committee. This subcommittee consists of industry members and academic partners that provide updates on (re)emerging plant health issues affecting the reliability of seed production and seed movement. We welcome the participation of ASTA members and invited guests. If you are interested in attending, please contact the chair or vice chair of the subcommittee: Samantha Thomas (samantha.thomas@bayer) or Amanda Khosravifar (amanda.khosravifar@basf.com).

CSA members will meet for the General Session and Annual Meeting, featuring a comprehensive overview of the association’s activities and achievements over the past year. The session includes the Annual Report, the President’s Report, and the Executive Vice President’s Report, providing insight into industry trends, organizational initiatives, and strategic priorities. Invited to provide the California Department of Food & Agriculture update is Nicole Hostert. The meeting concludes with an inspiring keynote from Dr. Tina Huff, who has spent her career helping people succeed in the workplace, offering practical strategies and motivation to enhance professional growth and effectiveness.  Lunch will be served during this session. For CSA attendees only.

** This event is now SOLD OUT. Please email Donna Boggs with CSA to be placed on a waitlist. **

For CSA attendees only. Pre-Registration and Payment Required - $200.

This is a fun and friendly competition event, the CSA Bocce Ball Tournament! This popular event brings together members for a lively afternoon of bocce, camaraderie, and team spirit. All skill levels are welcome, and participants can enjoy a relaxed yet competitive atmosphere while supporting a great cause—a portion of the proceeds benefit the Ginny Patin Memorial Scholarship, Research and Education Foundation, helping to foster the next generation of seed industry leaders.

Trading Room Open for Setup Only

Additional Cost - $100. Registration Required. This event is closed to Media.

Celebrate the year’s achievements at the CSA President’s Dinner, a festive evening honoring the association’s members and leadership. Attendees will enjoy a delicious dinner, engaging conversation, and lively entertainment, providing the perfect opportunity to relax, connect, and celebrate the seed industry’s community and successes.

The V&F Golf Tournament at Torrey Pines is SOLD OUT. For registered golfers, please contact Jordan Gregory for a full schedule of events including shuttle schedules.

Join us for an inspiring session on navigating careers in the seed industry. Hear from experienced researchers and entrepreneurs as they share their career paths and discuss how curiosity, resilience, and flexibility have shaped their professional journeys. This interactive session is designed for students and early-career professionals who want to explore diverse career options, build core skills, expand their professional networks, and learn how to get involved in the seed industry.

The session will focus on current regulatory issues, legislative developments, and the subcommittee’s role in shaping policies that affect the seed.

This subcommittee is dedicated to addressing emerging seed diseases by conducting in-depth analyses of key pathogens and their potential impact on the vegetable and flower seed industry. The session will spotlight critical disease threats, recommending top research priorities, and fostering collaboration between seed industry experts and public research institutions. Participants will also explore effective communication mechanisms to improve industry-wide prevention and response efforts.

Sponsored by: 

The Student Poster Session provides an exciting opportunity for emerging scholars to present their research and innovative ideas in seed science, phytosanitary practices, and related fields. Attendees will have the chance to engage with and support the next generation of scientists, explore fresh perspectives on industry challenges, and discover new approaches that may shape the future of the seed industry.

Join us for happy hour and an opportunity to engage with the future of the industry.

This meeting brings together members of the California Spinach Seed Committee to discuss the latest developments, challenges, and best practices in spinach seed production. The group works together to support the growth and sustainability of the California spinach seed industry.  For CSA attendees only.

The fresh produce and horticulture industries are at a pivotal moment, shaped by evolving consumer preferences, sustainability imperatives, regulatory pressures, and technological advancements. For seed businesses, understanding these dynamics is critical to driving innovation and aligning breeding priorities with market realities.  This leadership-focused panel provides a high-level view of the state of the industry and the forces shaping its future. Speakers will share perspectives on global market trends, challenges and offer research‑driven insights into consumer behavior and the demand for differentiated products.  Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how shifting consumer expectations, policy developments, and market trends create opportunities for varietal development and strategic partnerships across the supply chain.

This session serves as a vital forum for identifying and addressing emerging challenges and trends in the vegetable and flower seed sectors. During this session, participants will gain insights from regional experts on new and evolving policies that have significant implications for the vegetable and flower seed industry. The discussion will highlight key regulatory developments, market dynamics, and strategic considerations to help stakeholders stay informed and prepared.

Christine Diepenbrock is an Associate Professor in Plant Sciences at UC Davis. Their research group is focused on improving crop nutritional quality and tolerance to drought and high temperatures in staple and specialty crops, including breeding/genetics of grain legumes.  Eloy R Corona, COO for SC Solutions AI will share some commercial examples of how earth observation and artificial intelligence can be applied in the seed industry.

This dynamic session of lightning talks will showcase cutting-edge innovations aimed at addressing the pressing challenges of plant breeding, seed health and the complexities of global seed trade. Industry experts and innovators will present rapid-fire insights into the latest technologies, strategies, and breakthroughs designed to enhance seed quality, ensure phytosanitary compliance, and streamline international seed movement. 

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APHIS is developing the National Seed Testing Onshore Program (NSTOP), a new option to meet import requirements for restricted seeds.  Under NSTOP, imported seeds may be tested upon arrival at an approved U.S. facility, providing an alternative to current requirements.  Initially, NSTOP will focus on tomato and pepper seeds.  The program aims to address operational considerations that may influence industry participation, including: 1) Seed processing needs; 2) procedures for re-export or destruction of lots that test positive for quarantine pests; 3) logistics for moving shipments from ports to testing facilities; and 4) other factors that may affect participation.

APHIS invites all interested seed companies and testing laboratories to join the discussion and share input on these issues.

Sponsored by: 

The seed industry is at the heart of innovation in fresh produce, influencing everything from flavor and shelf life to sustainability and regional adaptability. As consumer expectations shift and retailers demand differentiated products, seed companies have a unique opportunity to shape what’s next. This session brings together leaders from growing, retail, and distribution to discuss how collaboration across the supply chain drives success—from genetics to the grocery aisle. Moderator Randy Riley will guide a conversation with the panelists on how varietal development, local sourcing, and strategic partnerships are creating new market opportunities. For seed professionals, this is a must-attend session to understand emerging trends, align breeding priorities with retail demands, and position your business as a key player in tomorrow’s produce and horticulture landscape.

Plant breeding innovation, including genome editing, is poised to dramatically improve the effectiveness and efficiency of plant breeding programs across the agricultural sector. This session brings together leading voices from government and industry to explore the policy frameworks and innovation strategies shaping the future of plant breeding, offering a comprehensive look at how scientific advancements move from concept to market.

Leaders from USDA Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) and EPA’s Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (BPPD) will examine the evolving regulatory landscape for plant breeding innovation, discussing agency oversight approaches, interagency coordination, and the implications of current and emerging policies for developers, consumers, and the environment.  Industry leaders from Simplot Plant Sciences, Pairwise, and Larks Seed will share insights on plant breeding innovation in the plant improvement process and advancing new varieties to market. The discussion will explore the challenges and opportunities in development, regulatory navigation, and consumer adoption. Discover how cutting-edge science becomes real-world solutions, and what it takes to succeed in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

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Seeds cross borders before they reach fields. This session breaks down that journey—and what today’s trade policy and geopolitical realities mean for the seed industry. Dr. Scott Huechlin (Iowa State University Seed Science Center) sets the stage, followed by a panel discussion with Sam Crowell (ASTA Senior Director of International Programs and Policy) and Martha Malapi (ASTA Director of Seed Health and Trade), moderated by LEAD Committee Chair Jonathan Shaver, on navigating regulations, risk, and opportunity in global seed movement.

This session will provide an overview of the subcommittee’s work, key policy issues, and ongoing efforts to protect intellectual property in the evolving landscape of seed innovation. This may include reporting from the U.S. Plant Variety Protection Office, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and other relevant government agencies.

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This committee meeting convenes members to address key issues affecting vegetable and flower seed production, grower-shipper relationships, and plant health. Committee members discuss issues affecting the industry and collaborative strategies to support industry sustainability, improve communication across the supply chain, and ensure healthy, high-quality seed production.

Trading Room open for Tear-Down Only. Exhibitors are prohibited from tearing down displays before the Trading Room formally closes for the conference at 5 pm.