The Iowa State University Seed Science Center will present the 2017 Leroy and Barbara Everson Seed and Biosafety Symposium “Next-generation Agriculture: Emerging Innovations and Opportunities,” April 12-13 in Ames at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center.

“The seed industry has seen several major changes recently, spurring conversations among stakeholders,” notes Manjit Misra, director of the Seed Science Center at ISU. “In light of increased company mergers and acquisitions, stakeholders are trying to maneuver through this uncharted territory, while identifying how these changes will impact the industry, the economy and farmers, and ultimately, consumers. Also, on the forefront are emerging seed innovations and technologies, and discussion of how these scientific advances will propel the industry into the next generation of agriculture. This year's symposium will focus on these timely topics and will offer the opportunity for an important dialogue.”

Symposium registration for the April 12 sessions is complimentary for ISU faculty, staff and students; $50 for non-ISU faculty and staff; $20 for non-ISU students; and $125 for all others. Registration for the April 13 extended session is $25.

April 12 symposium
The first day will be a full day, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. The program starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m.

• Session 1 — “Seed Industry Outlook: Challenges and Opportunities”

• Session 2 — “Next Generation Innovations and Technologies in Agriculture”

• Speakers — Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation; Jim Schweigert, president, Grow Alliance; Michael Gumina, CEO of RiceTecAg Inc.; and Steve Sonka, emeritus professor of economics, University of Maryland

• Student poster competition — Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to present research posters related to seed science and food security. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three posters.

April 13 extended session
A special half-day extended session April 13 will provide a broad overview of the new CRISPR-Cas-9 gene editing technology for crop development. Speakers will focus on methodology, public and private activity, regulation status, and societal questions.

• Session —“Genome Editing for Crop Improvement”

• Speakers — B.M. Prasanna, research director of the Global Maize Program; Jeff Sander, research scientist at DuPont Pioneer; and Kan Wang, professor of agronomy at Iowa State University

Seating is limited for the symposium, and early registration is encouraged. Registration is available online at register.extension.iastate.edu/eversonsymposium/register. For more information, contact coordinator Cassie Welch at 515-294-5681 or [email protected]. The symposium is sponsored by a generous contribution from the family of Leroy Everson, former director of the seed laboratory at the Iowa State Seed Science Center.

Source: Iowa State University