Geneva, New York
August 18, 2006By
Timothy P. Krakowiak
Kyle
Arvin was appointed director of the
New York
State Seed Testing Laboratory (NYSSTL) at
Cornell University’s New
York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY,
effective July 1. As financial and personnel manager of the
unit, his responsibilities are to supervise the day-to-day
activities of the lab, provide outreach to the New York seed
industry, and support Cornell Cooperative Extension activities
related to seed quality.
“We are very pleased that Kyle
has accepted the position as director of the NYSSTL,” said Alan
Taylor, chairperson of the Department of Horticultural Sciences.
“Kyle brings great enthusiasm to the seed lab, and will continue
its long tradition of quality work.”
The NYSSTL was designated as
New York’s official seed-testing laboratory in 1912. As one of
the leading seed labs in the country, it is recognized for its
expertise in seed testing, teaching and training activities, and
participation in regional, national, and international seed
associations. The lab provides seed testing for a fee to
residents, growers, food processors, seed companies, and
government agencies, and is active in the development of new and
improved testing procedures.
As the lab’s director, Arvin is
responsible for accurate and timely results and is accountable
to Cornell University as well as commercial customers and state
agencies like the New York State Department of Agriculture and
Markets.
“Having worked with
organizations who have dealt with seed for anything from prairie
restorations to growing plants for landscaping, it is amazing
how little knowledge people have about storing seed properly to
minimize damage and increase longevity,” said Arvin. “I
routinely experienced how seed testing might have minimized time
wasted in planting seed of poor quality.”
“New to this position is an
extension responsibility to New York State agriculture,” said
Taylor. “This is a positive step to provide outreach to the New
York State seed and vegetable industries, and others who benefit
from improved seed quality.”
Arvin got his start in the seed
industry in 1989 when he was at the Indiana State Seed
Laboratory. In 1995 he earned certifications in seed purity and
germination. He became manager of the laboratory in 1997.
Born in Fort Rucker, Ala., and
raised in Lafayette, Ind., Arvin received a bachelor’s degree in
wildlife science in 1992 and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish in
2000, both from Purdue University. |