USGC And ASTA Remember Dr. Owen J. Newlin
- On July 15, 2020
View the press release on USGC website.
Washington, D.C. – July 15, 2020 – The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) note with deep sadness the passing of industry pioneer Dr. Owen J. Newlin.
Dr. Newlin contributed to tremendous growth in the Council and ASTA during his more than 50 years of involvement, playing an instrumental role in raising funds to support ballet initiatives to create state corn checkoff programs; initiating Pioneer’s overseas missions to educate future farmer leaders; and sustaining efforts to defend the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Market Development (USDA’s FMD) program through more than two decades’ worth of farm bill negotiations.
“The leadership and forward thinking that was the basis of Owen’s participation in ASTA’s Board and grain industry activities was truly monumental,” said Andy LaVigne, ASTA President & CEO. “The leadership of ASTA cannot put into words the impact Owen had on the association and our position on the U.S. and global levels. Our thoughts and prayers are with D.J. and the Newlin family. Owen will truly be missed.”
Newlin joined Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. (now part of Corteva Agriscience) in 1955 as a research assistant, becoming production manager and then division president before serving as senior vice president with responsibility for the finance, information management, human resources and seed production operations of Pioneer’s North American operations.
Pioneer was represented at the Council from the organization’s very first meeting in 1960. Less than a decade later, Newlin became the company’s official delegate. He remained a Council delegate until his death, serving on various committees throughout his tenure including on the USGC Board of Directors from 1976-1980 and as the Council’s chairman from 1978-1979. In 2005, the U.S. Grains Council honored Owen J. Newlin with a tribute award for a lifetime of distinguished achievement and service.
Newlin was also the longest-running ASTA past president who remained an active participant on the ASTA Board of Directors as a lifetime honorary member and chair of the Subcommittee for Strategic and Allied Partnerships. In 2016, ASTA honored him with its inaugural Lifetime Industry Achievement Award – thereafter known as the Owen J. Newlin Lifetime Seed Industry Achievement Award – which recognizes professionals whose career contributions to the seed industry span more than 50 years.
“Dr. Newlin’s influence runs deep as a driving force behind exposing more growers to the international marketplace and ensuring market development organizations, including the Council, had stability with which to do their work. His contributions to our industry cannot be overstated,” said Ryan LeGrand, USGC president and chief executive officer. “He was a larger than life figure in his family, his community and especially in our industry and will be dearly missed.”
The Council and ASTA send the Newlin family our sincere sympathies during this difficult time.
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About the U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.
About the American Seed Trade Association
Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) represents over 700 companies involved in seed production, plant breeding and related industries in North America. ASTA is the leading voice of action in all matters concerning the development, marketing and movement of seed, associated products and services throughout the world. The association’s broad membership offers varieties from alfalfa to zucchini and all production types including conventional, organic and biotech. ASTA promotes the development of better seed to produce better crops for a better quality of life.
