ASTA Awarded $1M in New RAPP Grant Funding

Alexandria, VA—December 20, 2024— The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is pleased to be the recipient of a $1,000,000 award from USDA’s new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) grants. These programs are intended to help the U.S. agricultural sector diversify sales into export markets in regions with rising purchasing power, including Africa, Latin America/the Caribbean, and South/Southeast Asia.

“Through international engagement and partnerships, ASTA will continue to advocate across the globe on policy issues that impact the seed sector’s ability to operate and deliver improved seeds to farmers,” said Andy LaVigne, President and CEO of ASTA. “By advocating for aligned phytosanitary regulations, intellectual property approaches that spur innovation, and streamlined policies for plant breeding innovations (PBI) like genome editing, ASTA will continue to build new market opportunities for the seed sector.”

Please email Sam Crowell, ASTA’s Senior Director, International Programs and Policy, if you’re interested in learning more about ASTA’s overseas engagement.

Click here to read the funding announcement from USDA.

###

Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) represents nearly 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. Visit www.betterseed.org to learn more