2013 Leroy and Barbara Everson Seed & Biosafety Symposium: Seeding the Future: Emerging Policy and Science

Audio and Presentations Now Available Online

135 individuals attended the Iowa State University Seed Science Center's new symposium series, the Leroy and Barbara Everson Seed & Biosafety Symposium. This year’s theme was “Seeding the Future: Emerging Policy and Science."

Activities started with a celebration of the new symposium series at the Seed Science Center April 23rd. The following day the symposium convened for two sessions held at the Gateway Conference Center in Ames. Speakers included:

• Marcel Bruins, Secretary General, International Seed Federation;
• Walter Simon deBoef, Senior Program Officer Seed Systems, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation;
• Margaret Karembu, Director, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA);
• Adelaida Harries presenting for Diego Risso, Secretary General, Seed Association of the Americas;
• Moses Siambi, Senior Scientist and Malawi Representative, ICRISAT;
• Miller McDonald, Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State Univ.;
• Kenneth Ostlie, University of Minnesota;
• Iain Kelly, Bayer CropScience;
• Dave Stimpson, Dow AgroSciences;
• Michael Owen, Iowa State University; and
• Alan Taylor, Cornell University.
  

ISU Scholars Honored at Iowa Seed Association Agribusiness Showcase & Conference

Nine Iowa State students were awarded scholarships at the Iowa Seed Association Agribusiness Showcase and Conference in Des Moines on February 13, 2013.
Pictured (front row from left) are: Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Senior Associate Dean Dr. Joe Colletti; Samuel Vigue; Schylor Altenhofer; Andrew Heath; Taylorann Smith; and ISU Seed Science Center Director Dr. Manjit Misra. Back row (from left): Jon Olsen; Tory Mogler; Kellie Walters; and Dr. Russ Mullen. Not pictured: Jay McCoskey and Elliot Reicks.

Vigue was also named the Manjit K. Misra Outstanding Senior Seed Scholar at the event.

Video Highlights Research in Plant Pathogens

A recent video highlights Seed Science Endowed Chair Gary Munkvold's research on diseases that affect the production and utilization of seeds and the management of mycotoxigenic fungi in corn. View or View/download.

News & Events

ISU/IFPRI Partner Enhancing Biosafety Systems in Africa and Asia

The Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products (BIGMAP) at Iowa State University recently signed an agreement with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to enhance biosafety systems in Africa and Asia as part of the Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS).

The three-year project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was designed to benefit partner countries in Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda) and Asia (Vietnam and Indonesia) that are interested in using biotechnology to promote agricultural innovation. Read More.

VIEW: BIGMAP Distinguished Fellow David Lambert's Article in Journal of Food Law & Policy: "The Quest to End Hunger in Our Time: Can Political Will Catch Up with Our Core Values? Read More.

ISU Seed Science Center, University of Nairobi Establishing African Seed Institute

Iowa State University seed scientists are working with the University of Nairobi and other groups to increase food security and reduce poverty in sub-Saharan Africa with help from a new $4.49 million grant from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Read more.

Grant Improving Quality Seed Access in Sub-Saharan Africa

Iowa State seed scientists are partnering with regional and national organizations in Malawi, Zambia and Nigeria to conduct a pilot study in Africa on enabling better access to improved seed varieties with the help of a new grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Seed Policy Enhancement in African Regions (SPEAR) project is funded by a $1.45 million 3-year grant. Read More