From a Rodeo Ground to a Football Field
Every year, the St. Paul Rodeo Grounds is reseeded into a grass football field for Friday Night Lights, and Oregon grass seed makes it possible.
OSC Releases 2024-2025 Annual Report
Another fiscal year has come and passed, and I am excited to share with you our achievements from 2024-2025.
The Oregon Seed Council has made exceptional strides in delivering services for our members and In implementing our strategic planning work, in government affairs, public relations, and organizational funding.
In the OSC 2024-2025 Annual Report, you’ll see a snapshot of our work over the last year, however, it’s challenging to encapsulate all the great things our Board has done and is doing in one document. So, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Some highlights we are proud of this year include:
- Implementing year one of OSC’s Strategic Plan; Development of social media platforms;
- Development of an internship program in partnership with OSU;
- A successful trip to Washington D.C. for industry advocacy and education;
- Building policy priorities representing feedback from all of our member organizations;
- Having significant engagement from our members during the State Legislative Session and in D.C.
- And – significantly, this year, OSC was honored to accept the Oregon Consular Corps Global Trailblazer Award! A major achievement, recognizing the grass seed industry’s global impact in trade. More on this in later pages of the report.
A special thank you to the OSC Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Committee Chairs, committee and industry members, and partners for your work this year.
Your feedback, support, and commitment to advance the Oregon Seed Council and elevate the seed industry overall is greatly appreciated and drove our success.
We simply cannot do what we do without you!
Click here to view the 2024-2025 OSC Annual Report
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Oregon Seed Council
Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Oregon Meadowfoam Growers Association Cooperative Representative, Charles Ortiz
ABOUT CHARLES ORTIZ
Charles Ortiz is the Oregon Meadowfoam Growers Association (OMGA) Cooperative representative on the Oregon Seed Council Board of Directors. Charles is an OSC Past President, and serves on multiple OSC Committees. In addition, Charles chairs the OSC Scholarship Committee and contributes to the industry’s public relation efforts, by helping make OSC’s Exhibit at the Annual Oregon AgFest a great success.
ABOUT OREGON MEADOWFOAM GROWERS ASSOCIATION COOPERATIVE
OMGA Cooperative is a meadow farm seed production and vegetable oil production cooperative based in the Willamette Valley. OMGA formed Natural Plant Products, Inc. (NPP) as their marketing subsidiary. NPP markets Meadowfoam seed oil domestically and worldwide. OMGA consists of almost 50 member farms all dedicated to the sound production of meadowfoam and daikon radish seeds.
WHAT INTERESTS CHARLES IN THE SEED INDUSTRY
When asked what interests Charles in the seed industry, he says he most enjoys “helping farmers.” Charles’ interest in volunteerism and supporting farmers shows. He is heavily engaged in policy discussions and helping the next generations learn about the importance of agriculture.
WHAT DOES CHARLES LOVE ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
When asking Charles what he loves about the Oregon Seed Council, Charles says that he loves the “sense of cooperation” it brings to the industry.
WHAT CHARLES SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
In the Oregon Seed Council’s future, Charles sees a “continued success being an industry problem solving leader.”
WHAT CHARLES WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY AND THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
When asked what Charles wishes people knew about the Oregon Seed Council and Oregon seed industry, Charles wishes people knew “how hard the Oregon Seed Council and the seed industry as a whole work to find solutions for seed industry problems.”
HOW CHARLES GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY
Charles got an early start in the agricultural industry through moving irrigation pipes as a youth, which led him to to love and learn more about the industry and lead him to where he is now.
WHAT CHARLES DOES OUTSIDE OF THE SEED INDUSTRY
When not working, Charles can be found gardening.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Oregon Seed Council Executive Director
Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Tee-2-Green Representative, Terry Plagmann
ABOUT TERRY PLAGMANN
Terry Plagmann serves on the Oregon Seed Council Board of Directors as the representative for Tee-2-Green Corp. Terry serves as President of Tee-2-Green, a grower-owned seed company, created in 1973 for the purpose of raising and marketing several varieties of creeping bentgrass with distribution worldwide to the golf industry. Tee-2-Green is located in Canby, OR.
ABOUT TEE-2-GREEN
Tee-2-Green is a grower-owned company and the exclusive marketer of industry-leading bentgrasses for golf course greens, tees and fairways, including the revolutionary Penn’s and Pure’s high-performance varieties. Their other bentgrass varieties include Penncross (the world’s best-selling bentgrass), Penn A-1 & A-4, Crystal BlueLinks, Pure Distinction, Pure Select and more. These products each uniquely help create championship conditions and legendary courses around the world.
Penn State University developed and released the first seeded Penn bentgrass, Penncross, in the 1950s. Since then, it has become the world’s leading bentgrass variety. With the guidance of Dr. Joseph Duich, Penn State continued to produce many other successful and revolutionary bentgrass varieties. These varieties continue to be the standard in the golf course industry.
In the 1960s, Penn State University declared Penncross a proprietary or “private” variety to discourage “unauthorized” sale of the product. Through a formal agreement, Penn State authorized the Penncross Bentgrass Growers Association of Oregon to produce and market the bentgrass. The association created the brand name Tee-2-Green and ensured that all Penn bents sold under that name would be certified.
Tee-2-Green has taken great steps to ensure that all of the Penn Bents developed by Dr. Joe Duich at Penn State University and the Pure Bents developed by Pure Seed are covered under the Plant Variety Protection Act. In addition, Tee-2-Green guarantees that bentgrass cultivars may only be sold as certified seed. By taking these steps, Tee-2-Green made sure to preserve the legacy of Dr. Duich and uphold the celebrated reputation of our bentgrass varieties with turf professionals around the world.
Penncross has now been replaced with the PC 2.0 variety after 60 years of Penncross being the top variety.
WHAT INTERESTS TERRY IN THE SEED INDUSTRY
When asked what interests Terry in the seed industry, he said “all phases of growing and marketing grass seed interest me.”
WHAT TERRY LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
Terry said he most enjoys “the opportunity to keep current with all things pertaining to seed production” through the Oregon Seed Council.
WHAT TERRY SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
On the Board, Terry is a strong advocate for integration of new, and efficient technology. In the future, Terry says he sees “more advancements in technology for better productivity,” utilized by the Board, and the industry overall.
WHAT TERRY WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY AND THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
Terry wishes people knew “just how diverse the industry is.”
HOW TERRY GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY
Deeply rooted in the seed industry, Terry is a fourth generation farmer in the Albany area. He and his family have grown most varieties of grass seed, along with other commodities.
WHAT TERRY DOES OUTSIDE OF THE SEED INDUSTRY
When not working or helping with the Oregon Seed Council, Terry enjoys rebuilding classic cars.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Oregon Seed Council Executive Director
Meet the Oregon Seed Council Second Vice President, Rachel Hankins
ABOUT RACHEL HANKINS
Rachel Hankins serves as the 2025-2026 Oregon Seed Council Second Vice President, representing the Oregon Seed Association on the Board. Rachel is the Grower Services Business Manager, Production at Barenbrug USA, a global leader in the seed industry committed to sustainably feeding the world and enhancing green spaces. Barenbrug USA contracts seed production across Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, and Wyoming, operating two seed cleaning facilities in Othello, Washington, as well as a packaging and coating facility located in Tangent, Oregon.
ABOUT THE OREGON SEED ASSOCIATION
The Oregon Seed Association is a non-profit agricultural trade association that has been serving the agricultural seed industry in Oregon for over 50 years. The mission of the Oregon Seed Association is to represent and promote the interests and importance of the Oregon seed industry, fostering cooperation and communication among members, suppliers, customers and regulators throughout the state, the nation, and the world.
WHAT INTERESTS RACHEL IN THE SEED INDUSTRY
Rachel is most interested in the seed production process and seed regulations.
WHAT RACHEL LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
As Second Vice President of the Oregon Seed Council, Rachel plays an important part in OSC’s operations. When asked what she loves about the Oregon Seed Council, Rachel commented, “I love the open and honest feedback of ideas. Each of the organizations we represent are diverse with different priorities, but we are all participating with a common goal.” The Oregon Seed Council members represent the Oregon seed industry in its entirety, from when the seed is planted until ultimately it makes it into the hands of the consumers.
WHAT RACHEL SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
Looking into the future of the Oregon Seed Council, Rachel said, “I see OSC carrying on the legacy of serving the seed industry, but in new and improved ways. The increase in engagement with stakeholders over the past few years has been incredible.”
WHAT RACHEL WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY AND THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
Rachel said she wishes that members of the Oregon seed industry knew “you don’t have to be on the OSC Board to participate in its committees. We are always looking for people who want to get involved. You won’t regret the experience!”
HOW RACHEL GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY
She grew up in the Lebanon area where her dad owned and operated a small grass seed and sheep farm. She initially did not plan to work in agriculture, but in 2008, she found her way into a position at Oregon Seed Certification Service, and the rest was history. After making the jump to the private sector, she discovered a whole new side of the industry. As someone who always wants to be learning, the seed industry offers endless opportunities to keep expanding her knowledge.
WHAT RACHEL DOES OUTSIDE OF THE SEED INDUSTRY
When she’s not at work or helping with the Oregon Seed Council, Rachel can be found spending time with her family, working in the garden, traveling, and staying active.
Contributed by: Khloe Free | OSC Intern
OSC Releases 2025 Legislative Report
The Oregon Seed Council has released its 2025 Legislative Report.
The 2025 Legislative Session totaled 158 day and saw 3,466 bills introduced. The long Legislative Session, held in odd numbered years, is authorized for 160 days by the Oregon Constitution and focuses on biennial budgets and larger policy issues. And this one came down to the wire.
A record number of bills and precession filed bills prompted introduction of legislation that proposed limiting the number of bills that could be introduced during a Session.
While budgets are a mandatory action of the long session, the general policy goals remained generally unclear until the end.
The State’s Top Issues
A smattering of topics piqued the interest of legislators and the public at various points of the session. Those topics included housing, transportation, water, labor, and employment.
Oregon Seed Council
Importantly to the Oregon Seed Council (OSC) members and industry partners, we monitored over 400 bills. Issues ranged from employment to land use, to climate, to water, to taxes, to transportation – and many more.
This year, OSC set its first policy priorities, and quickly put those policies to use allowing our organization to react, engage, and adapt to policy conversations quickly with broad input from our member organizations.
We were able to see some positive policy and conversations advance, and importantly to our members, we were able to help kill – or water down significantly detrimental policy proposals – including the Agricultural Workforce Standards Board proposal – more on this in the policy section.
First Lobby Day!
The Oregon Seed Council partnered with the sugar beet industry, supporting its first lobby day at the Oregon State Capitol. The event included meetings with Oregon Legislators who cover agricultural issues in their committees; viewing House and Senate Floor Sessions; and a reception with legislators and industry members in the evening. Our members were able to build relationships and help decision-makers understand the importance and interconnection of each part of the industry.
Presentation of Oregon Seed Council’s Global Trailblazer Award from the Oregon Consular Corp
This year, the Oregon Seed Council was honored with the prestigious Global Trailblazer award presented by the Oregon Consular Corps. This exceptional award recognizes Oregon individuals, companies and organizations for their contributions to international trade, the Northwest’s economy, and way of life. This year’s theme was Oregon “punches above its weight” in sports, outdoor, and recreation sectors. The Oregon Seed Council, whose members supply turfgrass seed to sports organizations, golf courses, stadiums and municipalities around the world, was honored to receive the award on behalf of the industry.
We were also delighted that Representative Boshart Davis (R- Albany) and Senator Fred Girod (R-Stayton) presented the Oregon Seed Council’s achievement on the House and Senate Floors. We are grateful to these two legislators for helping elevate the industry and support Oregon’s world-renowned grass seed.
Legislative Relationships
OSC met with numerous legislators and staff to build relationships, elevate the partnership of the seed industry overall, and begin the conversations of how OSC can be a resource for the Legislature. We are excited to get our legislative partners out to farms to learn more about the seed industry and how every section of the industry plays an important part in bolstering our economy, supporting a healthy environment, and supporting healthy communities.
Thank You
Finally, I want to thank each of you for thoughtful conversations, your input, and your support as we navigated the 2025 Session.
A special thank you to the OSC Board of Directors, Government Affairs Committee, and Executive Committee for quick action and in-depth discussion on policies and how OSC can best support industry in the legislative process and policy discussions.
Our industry members were quick to react to Action Alerts and engage legislators, and for that, we want to offer a big thank you! Your engagement truly makes a difference, and this, we hope will be clearly evidenced in our report.
Click here to view OSC’s 2025 Legislative Report
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Oregon Seed Council
Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Willamette Valley Specialty Seed Association Representative, Angie Smith
ABOUT ANGIE SMITH
Angie Smith is the executive director of the Willamette Valley Specialty Seed Association (WVSSA) and serves as the representative of the organization. Angie works at Pac/West Resources, a communications and government affairs firm in Tigard, Oregon. At Pac/West, she assists clients with a variety of needs including marketing and communications, as well as managing non-profit trade organizations.
ABOUT THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY SPECIALTY SEED ASSOCIATION
WVSSA was founded to facilitate the growing of quality specialty seed in the counties of western Oregon that comprise the watershed of the Willamette River. The WVSSA Seed Quality Management Program includes the use of an electronic mapping system, and policies to isolate seed production fields of related species, or other crops with contamination potential, to maintain genetic purity.
WHAT INTERESTS ANGIE IN THE SEED INDUSTRY
When asked what interests her in the Oregon seed industry, Angie said, “the vast variety of crops that Oregon producers grow, and the science and technical nature required to do so. It is so much more than the average person understands agriculture to be.”
WHAT ANGIE LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
“The collaboration amongst council members on issues where members may not always see eye-to-eye, and the flow of information regarding the industry that may not exist without the organization,” Angie said.
WHAT ANGIE SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
Angie says that she feels the organization is in a really good place. She sees the organization continuing to grow in the future with the actions being implemented now.
“I see real growth in the organization with the new sponsored membership category, the improvement with lines of communication, and efforts to reach the general public through several social media channels. The organization was stagnant for many years, until Megan Chuinard was brought on. It is very obvious that she sincerely wants to improve the industry in a way that benefits everyone involved along the product chain – from growers, to researchers, to the companies that sell the seed and their customers, and everyone in between.”
WHAT ANGIE WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY AND THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
Angie said she wishes people knew “that this small, niche industry (specialty seeds) existed and that it is a huge contributor to the state’s overall economy. And how these crops are almost exclusively grown in our little valley and yet known worldwide for its quality.”
HOW ANGIE GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY
Pac/West was retained as the lobbyist for another seed association, then to manage its organization. A board member of both organizations, Greg Loberg, formerly of WCBSC, suggested Pac/West be hired when WVSSA was looking to transition from a volunteer-run organization to hiring a professional administrator.
WHAT ANGIE DOES OUTSIDE OF THE SEED INDUSTRY
When she’s not at work or helping the Oregon Seed Council with public relations efforts, Angie enjoys baking homemade, custom-decorated cakes and cupcakes, as well as cookies and specializes in gluten-free. Baking is Angie’s love language and it makes her happy to bake things for others.
Contributed by: Khloe Free | Oregon Seed Council Intern
USDA Risk Management Agency Makes Grass Seed Crop Insurance More Accessible for 2026 and Subsequent Years
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) is making changes to the Grass Seed crop insurance program to make it more farmer-friendly for the 2026 and succeeding crop years. Grass Seed coverage is available in select counties of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Meet Oregon Seed Council’s Inaugural Intern: Mandy Vanderpool
Mandy Vanderpool is currently at Oregon State University, studying to get her master’s in agricultural and natural resource communications.
Originally from Lake Oswego, Mandy found a love for agriculture through seven years of 4-H in Clackamas County. After graduating high school, she went on to earn an associate’s in agricultural business management from Linn-Benton Community College and a bachelor’s in agricultural sciences from Oregon State University (OSU).
After graduation from OSU, she went on to work on Wilco’s marketing team before working in Pratum Co-op’s agronomy division. After working with farmers, she realized she wanted to do more to help them and decided to go back to OSU in fall 2024 so that she could one day gain a position in outreach in some capacity.
Since starting in January, Mandy worked in marketing and communications for Oregon Seed Council, helping develop the organization’s social media platforms, doing some policy work, and working on internal communications. While working for Oregon Seed Council, she was also taking classes and working as a graduate teaching assistant for the OSU Department of Agricultural Education and Agricultural Sciences.
Mandy had a wonderful time at Oregon Seed Council and learned a lot and met some really great people. She wants to thank all of the producers and industry partners that she had the privilege of working with and Executive Director Megan Chuinard for being such an amazing mentor. She looks forward to running into members in the future!
The Oregon Seed Council is grateful for Mandy and expects she will do amazing things in her future!
Contributed by Mandy Vanderpool | Oregon Seed Council Intern
Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Fine Fescue Representative Trevor Duerst
Meet Oregon Seed Council’s Oregon Fine Fescue Representative Trevor Duerst!
ABOUT THE OREGON FINE FESCUE COMMISSION
The Oregon Fine Fescue Commission is industry funded agency that operates under the auspices of the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Commission Program. Fine fescues have earned a reputation as a widely adaptable, high-quality solution for professional turf. They thrive on sandy, well-drained soils. They respond to irrigation when needed but are persistent under drought conditions. Fescue grass is naturally salt tolerant. They are eco-friendly as they require little maintenance, less water, and less fertilizer.
ABOUT TREVOR
Trevor owns and helps to manage his family’s farm in Silverton. Ioka Farms primarily grows grass seed and small grains, along with a few specialty crops. Ioka also has a seed sales operation and a commercial seed cleaning operation.
WHAT INTERESTS TREVOR IN THE SEED INDUSTRY
When asked what interests Trevor in the seed industry, he said, “the opportunity to provide high quality seed grown in Oregon.”
WHAT TREVOR LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
He said, “the Oregon Seed Council is the only organization in the industry that represents all aspects of seed production from growers to dealers to industry professionals.”
WHAT TREVOR SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
Trevor is excited for the Oregon Seed Council to grow and further elevate and advocate for the industry at the state Capitol, in Congress, across agencies, and with partners.
WHAT TREVOR WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL
“How important it is to have an organization that brings the whole industry together.”
HOW TREVOR GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY
He started farming when he was very young. Trevor started his work with the grass seed commissions in 2012 when he was appointed to the Oregon Ryegrass Commission.
WHAT TREVOR LIKES TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK
In his free time, Trevor enjoys riding snowmobiles.
Contributed by: Mandy Vanderpool | Oregon Seed Council Intern
