The Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC) at the University of California-Davis received a significant contribution during the annual California Seed Association (CSA) Convention last week to create the Kent J. Bradford Endowed Chair in Seed Science.
The state budget cannot afford to replace Bradford when he retires in five years, so the seed industry must raise the money.
“The CSA Convention is the perfect opportunity to make this announcement, as the CSA is comprised of many of our customers in California and Arizona who have been essential to the success of Sakata," John Nelson, Sakata Seed America’s senior director of sales and marketing, said. "What better time to announce Sakata’s dedication to the future of seed breeding, technology and the industry as a whole?”
The SBC is a collaboration of industry partners and UC-Davis to provide research, education, training and scientific information on seeds and technology. Since 1999, SBC has invested over $13 million in research on seed genetics, genomics, breeding tools and technology.
“This pledge is not solely an investment in the future of Sakata, but in the industry as a whole," Sakata Seed America President and CEO Dave Armstrong said. "A contribution to this cause represents an important piece of our overall investments in the research, education and progress necessary to advance this dynamic trade."
Alerts Sign-up