b'AOSCA celebrates Bill Foote with Honorary Lifetime MembershipBill Foote, director of the North Carolina Department of Agricultures Plant Industry Division, honored at AOCSAs AGM.Madeleine BaergEACH YEAR,the Association ofCarolina Seedsmen and National Seed Official Seed Certifying AgenciesIndustries are well respected and admired celebrates the long-time and substan- throughout. I had the privilege of working tial efforts of one or two seed industryalongside Bill for almost 10 years. I saw members via an Honorary Lifetimefirst-hand Bills contributions that mod-Membership Award. In 2022, AOSCAernized the certification programs that chose to award Bill Foote, directorare administered throughout the certify-of the North Carolina Department ofing agencies worldwide. - Dustin Auman, Agricultures Plant Industry Division, withexecutive director of the North Carolina the prestigious award. Foote was not ableCrop Improvement Association. to attend the AOSCA AGM in 2022, soThe relationships that Bill garnered AOSCA opted to postpone by a year, rec- within the certifying agencies and ognizing him at this years AGM instead.throughout the Seed Industry during The award, which has been presentedhis tenure has provided growth to the since 1946, is important to AOSCA asAOSCA memberships and strengthen it is a way we can show appreciationthe Certification Brand, says Dr. Sarah for those whom have dedicated theirwas the organizations president duringWilbanks, AOSCA CEO. Bill has and career to the certified seed industry, saysAOSCAs centennial celebratory year incontinues to contribute to the seed indus-Sarah Wilbanks, AOSCAs CEO. At the2018-2019.try. He has served AOSCA in different awards ceremony, held during AOSCAsIn addition to these volunteer leader- capacities over the years, bringing insight annual general meeting, North Dakotaship roles, Foote has served on numer- and expertise to challenging situations. It State Seed Commissioner, Ken Bertsch,ous committees and worked tirelesslyis people like this gentleman who are the described Footes lifetime in agricultureon high profile issues including - but notbackbone of a strong association and I and seed with the following biography: limited to - the creation of hemp stand- am thankful for his years of service. Foote grew up in Cleveland, Ohioards and development of an associa- It was my pleasure to serve on the and is a proud alum of the University oftion strategic plan. Foote served bothAOSCA Board of Directors from June Cincinnati, where he obtained his bach- NC Crop Improvement Association and2015 to June 2021. Bills dedicated service elors and masters degrees in mechanicalAOSCA with distinction from 2012 untilto the Board includes terms as Vice engineering. At the same time - alongsidehis departure from NCCIA in 2021 whenPresident, President, and Past President. intensive studies - he started his own 250- he was appointed by the North CarolinaHis contributions to the development of acre fruit and vegetable farm, greenhouse,Commissioner of Agriculture to lead theworkable hemp standards greatly con-and retail market in northeast Ohio.Plant Industry Division of the Departmenttributed to certification member agencies Within a short time, Foote went on toof Agriculture.ability to provide services to this expand-obtain a Ph.D. in crop science at NorthFoote is proud father to five anding crop group and its seed and plant Carolina State University, where he metgrandfather too.suppliers. Bills dedication to seed certi-his wife, Pattie. Upon graduation from NCSeveral of Footes colleagues wrotefication and AOSCA is unparalleled, and State, Foote accepted the role of directorletters of support for his nomination.he is very deserving of receiving honor-of the North Carolina Crop ImprovementAmong those words were these mes- ary membership. - Ken Bertsch, North Association. He served as the AOSCAsages: Dakota State Seed Commissioner.southern region representative and onDr. Footes service and professionalCongratulations, Bill Foote, on a well-the AOSCA board from 2015- 2021 andguidance that he provided to Northearned award!SW82/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2023'