ISU Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business Offers Free Week of Webinars

AMES, Iowa – The Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business (STB), housed at the Iowa State University (ISU) Seed Science Center (SSC), is sponsoring a  free week of virtual  webinars addressing current special topics in seed systems, science, and technology.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the decision was made to cancel the annual November STB on-campus short course in Seed Science and Technology.  While this means the popular weeklong short course  won’t be conducted in person,  the program leaders decided to create these live, interactive webinars for seed industry professionals. The best part – it is all completely free of charge and you don’t have to be an enrolled ISU student to participate.

 “It’s much more challenging now to offer in-person workshops, but we really didn’t want to lose the chance to continue with educational opportunities for the industry,” said Professor Gary Munkvold, STB Program Director.  “I’m really pleased with the creativity and enthusiasm of our staff and the speakers that made this series come together very quickly.”

The webinar sessions are being facilitated by some of the most respected seed experts and scientists in the industry. The webinar sessions topics  include: what you need to know about phytosanitary certification for moving seed across borders; the latest in CRISPR genome editing technology; plant biotechnology regulations; innovations in improved crop production; new plant science technologies for seed companies; current technologies in seed sorting; and lab testing for hemp and cover crops.

“We have a nice mixture of seed industry scientists and Seed Science Center faculty and staff; all have extensive experience in one or more aspects of seed technology that are important to the industry today.” Munkvold said.  “The sessions differ in their focus, so each one might appeal to a different segment of seed professionals, depending on their current job and goals.”

STB program leaders say they hope to be back next year to continue the on-campus, hands-on short course, but until then they invite anyone who is interested to join virtually starting at 11:00 am (CST), Monday, November 2nd, and continuing through Friday, November 6th. Please see the complete schedule of virtual webinar sessions below.

“You only need to register once to have access to the entire week of incredible sessions, with industry renowned seed science and technology experts” said Lori Youngberg, STB Program Coordinator.  “We are really excited about bringing seed industry professionals together for these webinars and look forward to “seeing” everyone in November.

 

About the Seed Science Center: The Seed Science Center at Iowa State is a center of excellence nationally and internationally in seed research, education, technology transfer and international seed programs.

                                                                         

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Contacts:

Lori Youngberg, Seed Science Center, lyoung@iastate.edu

Cindy Robertson, Seed Science Center, cindyr@iastate.edu

Gary Munkvold, Seed Science Center, munkvold@iastate.edu

 

 

 

Schedule:

Monday, November 2, 2020

11am

Phytosanitary Certification for International Seed Movement: Past and Future

Greg Lamka, PhD

1pm

Seed Health Testing to Meet New Phytosanitary Challenges

Gary Munkvold, PhD

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

11am

CRISPR Genome-Editing as a Modern Breeding Technology: How do we do it?

Kan Wang, PhD

1pm

Plant Biotechnology Regulations: Past and Future

Keri Carstens, PhD

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

11am

Revolutions and Changes Underpinning Improved Crop Production: Are we equipped for the future?

Stephen Smith, PhD

1pm

New Plant Science Technologies: What does it mean to Seed Companies and their Customers?

Dave Langer, MS

Thursday, November 5, 2020

1pm

Optical Sorting: Current Technology vs. Traditional Separation Techniques

Alan Gaul, MS

Friday, November 6, 2020

11am

Lab Testing to Reflect Current Needs: Industrial Hemp and Cover Crops

Mike Stahr, MS

1pm

Interaction Between Seeds and their Environment

Susana Goggi, PhD

 

Register NOW