b'CSTA / SEEDINNOVATION.CA / THE INDUSTRY EVOLVES, AND SO DO WEALMOST 100 YEARS OF HISTORY WILL GUIDETHE SEED TRADE INTO THE FUTUREWHEN I BEGAN my time as interim executive director for theOver the past 20 years especially, Canadian Seed Trade Association early in 2020, I knewseed businesses have merged, closed, I would likely be the last executive director to serve thisbeen sold and bought. Membership distinguished organization. of the CSTA has gradually shifted I didnt know that a pandemic was at our doorstep andto encompass more large and mul-the year would turn out to be a tumultuous one packedtinational companies. However, we with challenges. Im happy to say that despite all thatcontinue to welcome members from 2020 brought, it ended on a good note with the officialall walks of life, and in the past few ratification of Seeds Canada. CSTA will join with threemonths we have seen new members of our other industry associations to become something including seed growers and their bigger and bettera national seed organization thatregional businessjoin our ranks in Tyler McCann,intends to pave the path ahead for the seed industry oforder to show their willingness to be Interim Executivetoday and the one of the future. a part of Seeds Canada. Director, CanadianAs we morph into Seeds Canada, I look forward toIndeed, for 99 years we have used Seed Tradewatching the seed trade evolve into something newer,our influence to move our sector for-Associationbigger and better. We cant move forward, though, with- ward. The CSTA played an important out first looking back and appreciating where the seedrole in the adoption of UPOV 91 in trade has been and its accomplishments. 2015. We have worked with govern-For 99 years, the CSTA has helped lead the way in ament to create positive change. shifting business landscape.What currently exists as CSTA has Being an almost century-old organization, its no sur- a tremendous home within the new prise that the CSTA was a product of its time and place.national seed organization. Seeds In the early 1920s, the seed landscape looked much dif- Canadas new committee structure ferent than today. ensures our important work will At the time, the federal government and its agriculturecontinue, but within a larger organi-minister were looking for an advisory board to advisezation that will benefit from a deeper them on matters pertaining to the Canada Seeds Act. Thetalent pool. CSTA was officially formed in 1922 to provide such anCSTAs current committees are advisory board. preserved as Seeds Canadas policy The association began to expand its influence, and inand issues committees. The Advocacy time went from an advisory role to the function it servesand Communications steering com-todayas a major voice for the Canadian seed trade. mittee will also ensure our important It now represents well over 100 member companies in alllobbying and public education efforts matters pertaining to all aspects of seed research, produc- will go on.tion and marketing, both domestically and internationally. As Seeds Canada moves ahead, As Canadas agriculture industry became more variedwe are also engaged in the crucial and began spreading out, the CSTA adapted to suit theprocess of regulatory modernization. changing times. The seed industry gradually expandedThe Variety Use Agreement (VUA) into the Prairie provinces. Seed companies were set up inpilot project will continue in 2021 Western Canada to process and sell seed. and looks to become an important In the 1940s, the CSTA expanded to form eastern andtool for value creation in Canada, western seed trade associations. A consolidated conven- with an important eye toward the tion in the 1940s was where the tradition began of havingpulse sector and beyond.CSTA presidents alternate between East and West. As CSTA has evolved over the past As CSTA has changed to suit a shifting agricultural99 years, Seeds Canada will evolve landscape, its membership has changed right along withjust the same, and well look back it. When it was founded, members consisted largely ofand wonder what took us so long to small, independently owned seed companies. In the ageput our heads together and create a of consolidation, that has shifted. better agriculture sector for all. 42GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2021'