Ceremony dedicates largest public seed lab in world
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The largest public seed laboratory in the world is now at Iowa State.
A dedication ceremony was held Tuesday at the new addition Seed Science Center.
According to the center’s brochure, the center holds the largest seed lab in the world, testing more than 40,000 seed samples from 300 different species. A $2 million, 5,000-square-foot addition to the Seed Science Center is now complete.
The mission of the center, according to its Web site, is to improve the production, quality assurance, marketing, utilization and regulatory environment of seed through research, testing, teaching, outreach and international programs.
“Seeds are truly the foundation of all life and here at the Seed Science Center — seeds are the focus. We have quality seeds to feed the world,” said ISU President Gregory Geoffroy.
Geoffroy also said Iowa State has seed programs in more than 70 countries across the world.
The dedication service was consumed with people from all over the world, including James Aketch Okeno, post-doctorate research associate in seed science, member of the Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products and visiting scientist from Africa, working on policies and regulations.
“I believe seed science is a part of the development to tackle global hunger, the silent killer of our time. This facility will go a long way in partnership to develop novelty solutions in this respect,” Okeno said.
Namanga Ngongi, president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and keynote speaker for the ceremony, agreed with Okeno.
“The Iowa State University Seed Science Center is known as one of the best seed centers in the world. [They] can assume any role in setting systems, policies and safety. They are already doing that, but with the expanded facility, they can do more,” Ngongi said.
According to the alliance’s Web site, the alliance is a dynamic partnership working across the African continent to help millions of small-scale farmers and their families lift themselves out of poverty and hunger. The programs develop practical solutions to significantly boost farm productivity and incomes for the poor while safeguarding the environment. The alliance advocates for policies that support its work across all key aspects of the African agricultural value chain from seeds, soil health and water to markets and agricultural education.
Geoffroy said students will also benefit greatly from the addition by being able to participate in several different research programs. The programs are designed to improve testing methods and develop new testing and research safety with genetically modified organisms.
“It’s important for students to understand that we have a world class input facility aimed at providing quality seeds. Seeds are of growing importance around the world,” Geoffroy said.
A dedication ceremony was held Tuesday at the new addition Seed Science Center.
According to the center’s brochure, the center holds the largest seed lab in the world, testing more than 40,000 seed samples from 300 different species. A $2 million, 5,000-square-foot addition to the Seed Science Center is now complete.
The mission of the center, according to its Web site, is to improve the production, quality assurance, marketing, utilization and regulatory environment of seed through research, testing, teaching, outreach and international programs.
“Seeds are truly the foundation of all life and here at the Seed Science Center — seeds are the focus. We have quality seeds to feed the world,” said ISU President Gregory Geoffroy.
Geoffroy also said Iowa State has seed programs in more than 70 countries across the world.
The dedication service was consumed with people from all over the world, including James Aketch Okeno, post-doctorate research associate in seed science, member of the Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products and visiting scientist from Africa, working on policies and regulations.
“I believe seed science is a part of the development to tackle global hunger, the silent killer of our time. This facility will go a long way in partnership to develop novelty solutions in this respect,” Okeno said.
Namanga Ngongi, president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and keynote speaker for the ceremony, agreed with Okeno.
“The Iowa State University Seed Science Center is known as one of the best seed centers in the world. [They] can assume any role in setting systems, policies and safety. They are already doing that, but with the expanded facility, they can do more,” Ngongi said.
According to the alliance’s Web site, the alliance is a dynamic partnership working across the African continent to help millions of small-scale farmers and their families lift themselves out of poverty and hunger. The programs develop practical solutions to significantly boost farm productivity and incomes for the poor while safeguarding the environment. The alliance advocates for policies that support its work across all key aspects of the African agricultural value chain from seeds, soil health and water to markets and agricultural education.
Geoffroy said students will also benefit greatly from the addition by being able to participate in several different research programs. The programs are designed to improve testing methods and develop new testing and research safety with genetically modified organisms.
“It’s important for students to understand that we have a world class input facility aimed at providing quality seeds. Seeds are of growing importance around the world,” Geoffroy said.
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