General Information

History

The American Seed Research Foundation, (ASRF), is an extension of the activities of the Seed Laboratory Committee, which was active during the 1940s and 1950s. In 1959, the American Seed Trade Association established ASRF as a tax exempt, scientific, benevolent, and educational organization, to raise and distribute funds for seed research.

Mission

The mission of ASRF is to encourage research in Plant & Seed Biology & to facilitate the transfer of resulting technology to benefit the seed industry, farmers & consumers on a global basis.

Objectives

The primary objective of the Foundation is to encourage research into the basic principles of seed physiology and development.

Basic research in seed sciences takes considerable investment in resources and time. Most basic research can not be justified for the individual seedsmen, regardless of the company size. State and Federal Experiment Stations do some basic research in the area of seed science, but funding and facilities are limited and often prioritized to other activities. One way to increase the knowledge in seed sciences is for the seedsmen to directly underwrite specific projects to enhance the public information on seed growth and development, benefiting all seedsmen.

Accomplishments

Since the inception of the Foundation, over 800 projects proposals have been reviewed, and 54 have been funded. The total investment of ASRF in support of Basic Seed Research has exceeded $800,000. These funds stimulated other sources of research support, with a 3 to 1 multiplier effect, adding another $2,500,000 of matching funds provided by other cooperating organizations. ASRF funds have been distributed to 32 public institutions, and supported 69 individual seed researchers.

A bonus from ASRF research grants is the large number of students who have completed Master's and Doctor's degrees while receiving financial support from ASRF. Following completion of advanced degree requirements, these young scientists have joined seed companies, or been appointed to the faculties at state and federal institutions. Their theses have been the basis of hundreds of research reports and papers. These reports are currently published in Seed Technology.