AOSCA News

April 10, 2008
Tucson, AZ

Abed Anouti Assumes Executive Position at 
Arizona Crop Improvement Association  

       The Board of Directors of Arizona Crop Improvement Association (ACIA) is pleased to announce that Abed Anouti assumed the position of Executive Vice-President of the Association on April 1, 2008. Previously, Abed was ACIA’s certification specialist and Foundation seed program manager since 1999.  

        As EVP, Abed will supervise the entire range of activities and responsibilities undertaken by ACIA, including Arizona ’s official seed certification program and the Foundation seed program it conducts under an arrangement with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona . He will also be Arizona ’s vested member representative for the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) and will serve on AOSCA’s Certification Standards and Requirements Council.  

        “The directors of ACIA are fortunate to have someone of Abed’s character, experience and knowledge to turn to for leadership of the association,” according to ACIA President Pete Jepsen. “He has developed a great relationship with the state’s seed industry and growers and we look forward to continuing to work with him.”

        “I greatly appreciate the opportunity to manage ACIA, which is celebrating its 75^th anniversary in 2008. And, I look forward to working with other AOSCA members in strengthening seed certification,” says Abed.  

        Abed Anouti is a graduate of the University of Arizona , earning B.S. and M.S. degrees in horticulture. He was employed as a research specialist in arid lands studies at the U of A prior to joining ACIA. He resides in Tucson with his wife, Rula, and their children, Jamil and Reem.  

        Abed fills the position previously held by Allan Simons since 1987. Al will continue with ACIA in a part-time role.

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April 8, 2008
St. Paul, MN

MCIA ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF
BENJAMIN J. (BEN) LANG AS NEW PRESIDENT/CEO  

Tim Backman , Chairman of the MCIA board of directors has announced the appointment of Ben Lang as the President/CEO of the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, effective June 1, 2008.  Ben will take over as President/CEO upon the retirement of Dr. Gary Beil, who has served as the association’s President/CEO since January 1, 1995.  

Mr. Lang is a 1979 graduate of the University of Minnesota and joined MCIA as a field inspector and seed analyst after his graduation from the University.  During his career, he has served the association in several senior management positions, most recently as the Manager of Field Services.  In addition to his University training, Ben has successfully completed extensive training as a National Seed Health Systems Auditor, Organic Handler and Producer Inspector, ISO/IATCA Quality Management System Lead Auditor and Organic Livestock Inspector.  In addition, he has been actively involved on numerous committees of the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) focusing on various quality assurance issues.  

For additional information on Ben Lang’s appointment, contact Cindy Wippler at MCIA.  

MCIA is an innovative Minnesota based non-profit association established in 1903 to provide support services to members to improve their productivity and profitability.  The association conducts programs under recognized quality management systems, including certification and foundation seed services, National Organic Program (NOP) accredited producers, handlers and livestock certification programs, technology marketing, and various Quality Assurance, Identity Preserved and trait verification audit programs.

Contact
Cindy Wippler
Minnesota Crop Improvement Association (MCIA)
612 625 7766 (phone)
612 625 3748 (fax)
mncia@umn.edu

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Mar 21, 2008

Indiana Crop Authorizes Oat Re-Certification

The Indiana Crop Improvement Association advises that seed producers who have seed resulting from the Certified class of the oat variety “Classic” may plant that seed for another year of certification.  “Classic” was released in 1996 by Purdue University and it supports the recertification in 2008.  

If you have questions or comments about this notification, please direct them to the Indiana Crop Improvement Association at 765-523-2535.

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Mar 3, 2008

Kentucky Seed Improvement Association 
Announces New Manager

The KSIA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Mr. Kenny Hunter has been hired to serve as Manager of the Association.  He began working on Monday, February 25, 2008, and is getting settled into the Lexington office.  In the near future Kenny will be meeting with the field inspection staff and preparing for the upcoming small grain season.

Kenny, his wife Jennifer, and three year old son, Riley are residents of Lexington .  Kenny, who has a degree from Berea College, previously worked with F. W. Rickard Seed as a Seed Production Processing Manager since 1993.  

Kenny can be reached at the KSIA office in Lexington , by cell phone at 859-351-5325, or by email at khunter.ksia@gmail.com.  

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