Dr. Harold Loden

Born in Georgia, earning undergraduate and graduate degrees, Loden served in WWII. After the war, he was assigned to manage the Agriculture Experiment Stations in South Korea. Loden earned a PhD in Plant Genetics at Texas A&M in 1949. He worked first as a cotton breeder for Anderson, Clayton & Company, eventually being named General Manager. He served as President of ASTA in 1968 and was named an Honorary Life Member in 1971.

Dr. Loden served ASTA as Executive Vice President of ASTA from 1973-1983. ASTA experienced significant growth and accomplishments during his tenure. He and his staff organized and managed ASTA’s 100th Anniversary June meeting in 1983 when a record attendance to that time of 1100 was recorded.

Retiring from ASTA, Loden formed HDL Agricultural Consultants. In 1986, he became the second American in history to receive Honorary Life Membership in the International Seed Trade Federation.

Dr. Loden’s lifelong commitment to the seed industry and his contributions to ASTA qualify him for the post humous Heritage Award.