Alexandria, Virginia
June 22, 2009
 The
First the Seed Foundation announced today the launch of its
new Web site promoting education and outreach on the importance
and value of seeds. The Web site was officially debuted by the
Foundation President Thomas F. ("Bud") Hughes (photo) of Verdant
Partners LLC at the 126th Annual Convention of the
American Seed Trade Association
(ASTA), where the not-for-profit Foundation itself had been
launched one year prior.
The new Web site
will be a tool to advance projects now underway as a result of
founding donors who helped established the Foundation's initial
funding. The Foundation's first projects include Web-based and
multi-media educational curricula on the importance of seeds for
grade schools, development of an introductory video on the seed
industry's role in American agriculture, the distribution of
seed and informational kits to schools and youth organizations
and promoting the impacts of quality seeds on every person's
life who eats food or uses agricultural products.
The mission of First the Seed Foundation is to conduct
education, outreach and communication on the value of crops and
food produced from seed. "We, as the seed industry, have a great
story to tell about our contributions to American agriculture,
and ultimately, to the lives of people around the world," said
ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne. "The Foundation will
provide a platform to educate today's world and tomorrow's work
force about the importance of the seed industry."
 Other
events at the convention related to the Foundation included a
special children's learning project in which seed education was
provided as children planted seeds in flower pots to be used as
special centerpieces at the convention's Gala Banquet the next
evening.
Today's consumer demands healthy food for their bodies, improved
feed for livestock, better fiber for the clothes they wear and
cleaner fuel for the vehicles they drive. Recent advancements in
seed innovation using plant technologies have helped to meet the
growing market demand for agricultural products in an efficient
and environmentally sustainable way. The progress made by the
seed industry in the last 20 years is greater than ever before;
however, very few people are aware of the contributions of the
industry to their everyday lives or of the wide array of careers
available in crop agriculture.
 Fewer
than 2 million Americans are actively engaged in farming, yet
agriculture generates some 22 million jobs in the United States,
mostly located off-farm. The efficiency of today's U.S. farmers
allows this small population to produce 16 percent of the
world's food supply, freeing others to pursue different
occupations and career paths. Many are not aware of the science
and technology that drives agriculture solves its many
challenges and offers many opportunities.
The highest priority of
First the Seed Foundation is the education of today's youth.
Future Foundation projects include development of life-sciences
curriculum including seeds for high schools, the distribution of
career kits for high school and college students, and
establishment of important educational partnerships. Tax
deductible contributions can be made online or by contacting
First the Seed Foundation, located within the ASTA office. |
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