Salinas, California, USA
October 1, 2015
American Takii, Inc. one of the world’s preeminent vegetable and flower seed companies, has pledged a gift of $100,000 toward the $2.5 million fundraising goal set to establish an endowed chair position at the Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC).
The announcement was made on September 30 at the California Seed Association (CSA) mid-year meeting in Monterey, California. Steve Wiley (pictured), General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of American Takii, Inc., addressed the gathering of 150 seed producers, seed dealers, government agencies and academics about the significance of their gift.
“Takii has been a supporter of UC Davis and the Seed Biotechnology Center since its founding in 1999,” Wiley said, “We wish to provide this gift to the Kent J. Bradford Endowed Chair specifically to provide continuing financial support for a faculty member who will be focused on seed biology and technology, as well as serve as the director of the Seed Biotechnology Center. These activities provide the agricultural industry with technological advancements that benefit our industry and humanity as a whole.”
Wiley added, “Takii is celebrating our 180th anniversary this year and it is our desire to constantly move forward with advances in seed technology at a pace sustained by other industries in our ever changing world.”
This gift brings the amount raised to about 25 percent, or $640,000 of the $2,500,000 from four separate donors. HM Clause made the lead gift of $500,000. Takii has now given $200,000 having made a previous gift of $100,000 to help establish the SBC.
The Seed Biotechnology Center at the University of California, Davis, recently called on members of the agriculture, biotechnology and seed industries to help meet a $2.5 million fundraising goal set to establish an endowed chair position at the center. The position is being created in honor of Dr. Kent Bradford, the center’s founder and director, and a plant sciences professor. “Reaching this goal will allow for the ongoing management and operation of the center and help to preserve its leading position in research and education,” said Helene Dillard, Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
About American Takii
American Takii, Inc., located in Salinas, CA is a breeder/producer/marketer of vegetable and flower seeds, and is a subsidiary of Takii & Company, Ltd, headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. Marking its180th anniversary this year, the family-owned company is dedicated to continuous efforts toward the best science, research and ingenuity within the company and the worldwide industry.
About the Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC)
The Seed Biotechnology Center, located at UC Davis, was established in 1999 by an insightful and forward-thinking group of partners from the seed industry and at UC Davis to provide advanced research, education, training and scientific information on seed issues and technologies. The center’s research efforts have helped identify molecular markers in vegetables and wheat that have contributed to the ongoing advancement of the agriculture industry. SBC also offers professional development courses and workshops for seed industry professionals as well as trains skilled breeders and geneticists for the workforce.
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