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

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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.

News & Events

ISU/IFPRI 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. The goal of the project is to empower the countries by fostering science-based decision making at each stage of product development and use, while strengthening capacity for the implementation of biosafety regulatory systems. Read More.

The Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products (BIGMAP) is the first institute of its kind in the nation. BIGMAP was established in 2004 as an independent, science-based institute to help provide guidance to the public and policy makers on genetically modified agricultural products. As part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the institute develops tools and methodologies to analyze the risks and benefits of genetically modified plant and animal products and to provide strategies for mitigating the risks to safeguard consumers and the environment.

Grant Improving Quality Seed Access in Sub-Saharan Africa

Iowa State University 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 three-year grant. As part of the grant, Iowa State University scientists will work to advance harmonization policies into actionable reality in western and southern Africa. They will improve varietal evaluations and timely releases of candidate seed varieties. 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.