PSA Scholarship Applications Due December 16, 2022

If you know any college level students please encourage them to apply for the Pacific Seed Association Scholarship.  Students who are eligible are encouraged to apply for a scholarship from the Pacific Seed Association to be awarded at our February convention. In past years, we have awarded three $1,000 scholarships. For students to be eligible, they must be finishing their sophomore year, a Junior, Senior, or first year graduate student.  Applicants must be enrolled as a junior, senior, or graduate student.  Applicants are required to attach an official transcript, or have the college/university send one to the address below, to be eligible. Completed applications must be postmarked by the December 16, 2022 deadline. 

• Link To Scholarship page  - https://www.pacificseed.org/scholarships 
• Application -  https://www.pacificseed.org/_files/ugd/be68b0_f7ece8b742084228bddaedc64acbcff0.pdf

Agencies Directed to Examine National Security Threats to Food, Ag

President Joe Biden signed an updated National Security Memorandum, which “outlines a process for the federal government to identify and assess threats of greatest consequence,” including cyber threats and “the consequences of the climate crisis,” according to a White House fact sheet.
 
The memo directs the Department of Homeland Security, within a year, to "produce a comprehensive risk assessment for the food and agriculture sector" that includes the highest-priority threats to the sector, the memo says. DHS must coordinate with USDA, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department, and other relevant agencies.   The memo also directs USDA to work with HHS to collaborate with state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) agencies, universities and the private sector to “maintain and enhance” the National Veterinary Stockpile and the National Plant Disease Recovery System.

Mark Your Calendars for the 97th PSA Annual Convention

I would like to personally invite you to attend the 97th Annual Pacific Seed Association (PSA) convention on February 12-15, 2023 at The Seabird Resort in Oceanside.  The facility and setting are the perfect combinations for interacting with everyone in our industry.  Our convention program has been carefully crafted to showcase topics of interest for everyone – including updates on internal and external communication strategies, identifying partners for success, succession planning, and career management solutions, creating options for your business in today’s environment, a transportation panel to address the supply chain issues, legislative updates, seed treatment and environmental updates, our PSA Annual Meeting and field crop reports. 

The annual golf tournament will be played at the beautiful Arrowood Golf Course, designed by prominent local architect Ted Robinson Jr, Arrowood Golf Course is a spectacular par-71, 6,721-yard layout imbedded in the Oceanside, CA developed village of the same name. Located adjacent to Camp Pendleton in north county San Diego, Arrowood sits on a scenic hilltop by the San Luis Rey Valley, within 10 miles of the coastline.  We also have the opportunity to participate in a North Oceanside walking food tour of restaurants with a little tasting and a little history along the way.  There will be meet and greets with the local chefs, tasting, and a fun day of camaraderie.

The goal of our program is to reinforce and reinvigorate our efforts to ensure growth and prosperity in the Pacific Seed Association as we continue to tackle new challenges in our markets.  Coming together to network as an industry will be key to our continued success. I encourage you to participate in the 2023 convention.

The PSA Annual Convention traditionally draws attendees from across the nation.  It is an essential link in bringing greater communication and stability to the seed industry.   If you have any questions regarding the convention, please call the PSA office. It has been a pleasure serving as President of PSA.  Your past support and involvement are sincerely appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you in Oceanside this year.

Best wishes,

Nicole Hostert

President

• Program
• Registration Form
• Sponsorship Opportunities

Farm Groups Urge Tai to Take Up ‘Fresh Start’ at WTO

A coalition of farm groups sent U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai a letter urging her to become involved in “a fresh start” at the World Trade Organization. “We believe the negotiations are at a crossroads, and that the post-MC12 environment in Geneva is conducive to efforts — already under discussion among some members — to make a fresh start,” the farm groups said.
 
“We would welcome the creation of a forum at the WTO that would facilitate a productive discussion at the WTO, not only of the traditional core issues — market access, domestic support and export competition – but also emerging trade-related issues, such as the contribution of trade liberalization and innovation-friendly regulatory approaches to agricultural sustainability and climate change mitigation. If the current structure of WTO talks does not allow for such blank- slate negotiations, we encourage you to develop alternatives to address these issues.”

The groups also said, “Finally, a critical element of agricultural trade liberalization will be an effective enforcement mechanism. Indefinitely extending the block on appellate body appointments or agreeing to reforms that weaken dispute settlement will be detrimental to U.S. agriculture producers and future discussions on agricultural trade issues.”

EPA Releases Plan to Address Pesticide Impacts on Endangered Species

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to protect endangered species from pesticides through a “menu” of mitigation measures designed to reduce runoff and spray drift, reports Agri-Pulse. The agency released an update to its plan for addressing species protections early in the registration process and will hold a webinar to discuss it. “While EPA intends for this set of interim ecological mitigation measures to apply widely to many pesticides, EPA will consider the menu of options for any given pesticide depending on the level of risk that it poses to species and the exposure route,” the agency said. EPA has been under legal pressure to address its obligations to protect species listed under the Endangered Species Act, which have delayed the already-long registration process.