GCIA

GCIA had a great time at the 49th Annual Peanut Farm Show in Tifton!

🚨 Leadership Update! AOSCA proudly announces Doug Miller, Executive Director of Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA), as our next President for 2026–2027! 🌱👏

Doug Miller brings deep expertise in seed certification, innovation, and collaboration. We also thank Billy Skaggs for his outstanding leadership from 2024–2026. 🙌

Photo credit: Billy Skaggs, GCIA receives Past President Award from new 2026-2027 President Doug Miller, CSGA at the 2025 AOSCA Annual Meeting.

The 2025 Georgia/Alabama Seed Association's Annual Convention @ The King and Prince Golf & Beach Resort in beautiful St. Simons was a huge success! There were a good group of speakers including Dr. Sarah Wilbanks, CEO of AOSCA and Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Department of Agriculture. At our Annual Banquet, Dr. Roger Boerma, GSDC was awarded with the Hall of Fame Award. John Raley, R&R Seed was awarded with the Distinguished Service Award and Cole McNair, Birdsong Peants received the Seedsman of the Year Award. Congratulations to these well deserving men!! Blake Fleeman, GSDC was nominated as president and Russ Beckham, Merit Auctions/Ag Pro was awarded for his service and leadership as president for 2023-2025. Thank you to all the members, sponsors, speakers and staff that made this convention so successful!

Planting season is here, and it’s a BIG deal for Georgia! 🌱🥜 Our state grows over 50% of America's peanuts, supporting farmers, local economies, and your favorite peanut products.

The Southern AOSCA Region had a wonderful business meeting this week hosted by GCIA (Georgia Crop Improvement Association). Over 8 states gathered to discuss certification standards and other important business. We had industry representatives present with thoughtful input. AOSCA staff would like to thank all of you for your time and dedication to the seed industry and our association. We look forward to seeing you again in June at our Annual Meeting in Kansas.

Southern Seed Certification Association, Inc
Georgia Crop Improvement Association GCIA
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
North Carolina Crop Improvement Association
North Carolina Foundation Seed Producers Inc.
Tennessee Crop Improvement Association
Virginia Crop Improvement Assocation
Oklahoma Crop Improvement Association
Clemson University, FRCS

Huge thank you to our Sponsors:
Athens Seed Company
Georgia Seed Development
Kelly Seed Company
The Turfgrass Group
Birdsong Peanuts
Patten Seed / Super-Sod
North Georgia Turf
Ogletree Seed, Inc.
Sunbelt Turf Farms

From GCIA Executive Director, Billy Skaggs: GCIA held our annual membership meeting this week in Athens. Seed and turfgrass members from around the state gathered at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. We heard from policy experts, economists and UGA's premier scientists. Highlights included the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to Ken Morrow of The Turfgrass Group, Inc. (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-turfgrass-group-inc.?trk=feed-detail_main-feed-card-text)
In addition, Becki Hicks and I received years of service awards. All in all, a very good week!

Merry Christmas from GCIA!