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Minutes of the April 25, 2001 FRSA Meeting
Submitted by Mike Bricker, FRSA Secretary, National Seed Storage Laboratory, Fort Collins, Colorado

Due to inclement weather, the scheduled April 11, 2001 FRSA meeting was rescheduled for April 25, 2001.  Location of the meeting was at the Plant Sciences Building on the Colorado State University campus.  Host organization was the Colorado Seed Laboratory.  Our thanks to the Colorado Seed Laboratory for hosting the April meeting.

Members present at the meeting were: Barbara Atkins, Carri-Ann Bard, Mike Bricker, Jim Bruce, Pat Conine, Mike Dideriksen, Brigette Fishburn, Jane Hall, Tim Loeffler, Marilyn Milhous, Annette Miller, Linda Munk, and Laurie Thoma.  Guests present at the meeting were Phyllis Pahlke and Marjorie Stover of STA Laboratories, and Sherry White of the Colorado Seed Laboratory.

In the absence of Billie Lundberg, President, Mike Bricker, Secretary, presided at the meeting.  The meeting was called to order 1:07 PM MDT.  The minutes of the January 10, 2001 FRSA meeting were approved.  The January 10, 2001 minutes can be accessed on the FRSA web site, www.frsa.org .

Mike Bricker reported on the current 2001 FRSA membership with 15 individual members, 9 supporter members, and 14 sponsorships.  Mike reported on two donations by FRSA, a $200 donation to the Thornton Lecture Fund at Colorado State University, and a $200 donation to the Colorado Seed Industry Scholarship presented to Colorado State University.

Pat Conine, Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s report.  The treasury is in good standing.  An audit of the 2001 treasury books was conducted by Brigette Fishburn and Tim Loeffler prior to the meeting.  The audit found the books to be in good standing.  A thank you to Brigette and Tim for providing the audit and to Pat Conine for her excellent record keeping.

Annette Miller presented the Web Page Administrator’s report.  There remains one year of Seed Forum newsletter archives to download.  Annette participated in a web page development course that demonstrated new web page writing software.  This new software is pricey, and Annette suggested that FRSA remain with the current web page format. A number of members, present at the meeting, commented that they had received compliments from associates about the FRSA web site. The existing FRSA web page format will remain as is.  Annette indicated she has been unable, due to time restraints, to complete the new CD for the “Seeds of Cultivated Flowers”.   The CD will not be available by the May AOSA/SCST Annual Meetings.  A recommendation was made to provide FRSA business cards with the FRSA web site address at the AOSA/SCST Annual Meetings.  Annette agreed to print 100 cards for distribution at the upcoming Meetings.

Tim Loeffler, director of the Colorado Seed Laboratory, introduced Sharon White, newly hired seed analysts at the Colorado Seed Laboratory.  Sharon comes from the Montana State Seed Laboratory.  An FRSA welcome to Sharon on her move to Colorado.

Old Business
Marilyn Milhous and Laurie Thoma presented the July Seed Analysts Forum Planning Committee report.  The committee provided a list of topics for the members to select.  The Forum will focus on Section 2.7 of the AOSA rules for Testing Seeds, with emphasis on questionable pure seed of Kochia and winterfat, and detectable endosperm in wheatgrass and bluestem.  A review of seed family morphology will be interspersed throughout the day’s agenda.  Members are encouraged to bring unidentified seed samples to the Forum to see if the membership can assist with identification.  The membership approved the dining arrangements to honor Dr. Arnold Larsen on the evening of Friday, July 13.  A registration form will be developed for the July Seed Analysts Forum. 

The members discussed possible community service projects that FRSA could initiate.  A number of ideas were expressed and the decision was made to create an Outreach Committee to explore possibilities.  Outreach Committee members are Pat Conine, Carri-Ann Bard, Annette Miller, and Mike Dideriksen.

Jane Hall reported on poster publication costs for printing the Colorado Noxious Weed Seeds poster which was displayed at the December 2000 Colorado Seedsmen’s Meetings.  Approval given to have one poster printed, by inkjet printing, at a cost of $36 to review for quality.  Hopefully, the poster will be available for viewing at the May AOSA/SCST Annual Meetings, with purchase order forms available for
poster purchasing by request.

Carri-Ann Bard circulated a draft of the SCST Continuing Education Application Form.  Members made change/addition comments.  FRSA shall trial test the form for the July FRSA Seed Analysts Forum, submitting the form to SCST for approval of continuing education points for the Forum.

New Business
Prior to beginning the review of the 2001 AOSA Proposed Rules, new business was discussed.  Mike Dideriksen presented a question to the members regarding a new coating method being used on sugarbeet seeds.  The coating adds uniform weight to the seed for planting purposes, but does not obscure the physiological shape of the seed, ie the seed is still identifiable as sugarbeet seed.  Mike’s question was “How would you catagorize this seed with this new coating according to section 2.1b. Definitions, in the AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds?”.  This new coating process adds more than ‘minimal weight’ to the seed, thus section 2.1b(4) Film-coated seed definition does not apply, and section 2.1b(5) Coated and encrusted seed definition which indicates the seed’s original shape and size are obscured, does not apply.  Not being able to catagorize to either (4) or (5) with the new coating the question is “What germination procedures should be followed?  Should the seed be rinsed prior to performing the germination test?”.  The concern regarding germination testing procedures is that non-rinsed lots may show lower germination than rinsed lots in pleated towel or on blotters.  The members suggested Mike write up this question and present it at the Buzz Session at the May AOSA/SCST Annual Meeting. 

Members, present at the meeting, held a review of the 2001 AOSA Proposed Rules.  Access to the review is available on the FRSA web site (www.frsa.org) at ‘FRSA Review of 2001 AOSA Proposed Rules’. 

Annette passed around photo images of Tagetes spp. (marigold) seedlings from the marigold referee. 

There being no additional business, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 PM MDT.

Next FRSA meeting will be the FRSA Seed Analysts Forum on Friday, July 13, 2001, at the National Seed Storage Laboratory, Fort Collins, Colorado.  The Forum will start at 9:00 AM MDT.  There will be a tribute dinner on Friday evening to honor Dr. Arnold Larsen for his long standing support and contributions to FRSA.  Contact person is Mike Bricker, FRSA Secretary at (970)495-3245 or e-mail at mbricker@lamar.colostate.edu .
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