Meet OSC Scholarship Recipient: Kailee Macy

Annually, the Oregon Seed Council recognizes three exceptional students for its scholarship program. This year, the Oregon Seed Council had 18 students apply and is pleased to announce one of three recipients of this year’s award: Kailee Macy.

MEET KAILEE

Kailee Macy is from Culver, Oregon. She will be entering her sophomore year at Oklahoma State University this fall and is majoring in Agricultural Communications with a minor in agronomy. 

Kailee is fourth generation on her family’s farm and a seventh generation Oregon agriculturalist. 

On her family’s farm, they produce seed potatoes, carrot seed, grass seed, mint for tea leaf, parsley seed, and wheat. 

She hopes to help increase agricultural literacy among the general public and wants to advocate for agriculture. She hopes my impact will make it so consumers know the implications of their actions at both the supermarket and the ballot box to the agricultural industry. 

The Oregon Seed Council is pleased to award Kailee with the 2025 Oregon Seed Council Scholarship.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Executive Director



Meet OSC Scholarship Recipient: Tegan Macy

Annually, the Oregon Seed Council recognizes three exceptional students for its scholarship program. This year, the Oregon Seed Council had 18 students apply and is pleased to announce one of three recipients of this year’s award: Tegan Macy.

MEET TEGAN

Tegan is a senior at the University of Idaho in the fall of 2025. She is majoring in crop science and will receive a minor in animal science. 

She grew up working on her family’s farm, Macy Farms, which produces a variety of specialty crops including seed potatoes, carrot seed, Kentucky bluegrass seed, perennial ryegrass seed, parsley seed, and peppermint for tea leaf. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she plans to return to Macy Farms.

In college, she has served as a member of the soil judging team and had the opportunity to compete in seven states, and at the 2025 National Collegiate Soil Judging Competition where the University of Idaho received first place as a team. 

She is also an Ambassador for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and served as the treasurer of the Student Idaho Cattle Association last year. During the summers Tegan works on Macy Farms where she irrigates, operates equipment, completes equipment maintenance jobs, and serves as the farm’s main swather operator.

The Oregon Seed Council is pleased to award Tegan with the 2025 Oregon Seed Council Scholarship.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Executive Director



OREGON SEED COUNCIL WINS PRESTIGIOUS OREGON CONSULAR CORPS AWARD

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Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Treasurer Orin Nusbaum

Meet the Oregon Seed Council Treasurer: Orin Nusbaum

 

ABOUT ORIN NUSBAUM

 

In addition to representing the Oregon Ryegrass Commission on the Oregon Seed Council, Orin Nusbaum serves as the Oregon Seed Council Treasurer.

 

He is a 6th generation farmer at Nusbaum Farms LLC located in Bellfountain. He farms with his wife and parents and they focus mostly on seed crops. For most of his career, his activities have been centered around production, but he is now becoming more active in the processing, marketing, and shipping areas of the business.

 

ABOUT THE OREGON RYEGRASS COMMISSION

 

The Oregon Ryegrass Commission was formed by growers in 1965 for the purpose of promoting Oregon-grown Ryegrass seed use and developing new markets. It also contributes funding for continuing production and market research of Ryegrass. The Commission is a non-profit organization which neither sells seed nor quotes prices. In his service on the Oregon Ryegrass Commission, Orin enjoys focusing on advancing the industry through careful investment in research and promotion.

 

WHAT INTERESTS ORIN ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY

 

“My goal is to leave the seed industry in better condition than I found it. This includes all areas – access to markets, research capabilities, soil and environmental health, profitability, and more.”

 

WHAT ORIN LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

 

After serving as President and Immediate Past President, Orin took a break from Oregon Seed Council to focus on other things. He ended up missing the information and industry insights that he was able to glean from the monthly meetings so when the opportunity arose to go back to the Board, he was happy to re-engage.

 

WHAT ORIN SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

 

As the industry faces continuing regulatory pressures from the Legislature, federal government, and agencies, Orin said he is excited to “get more growers informed and involved in our efforts to protect and further the seed industry.”

 

He said, “[o]ut of the hundreds of seed farms in the state, we generally see the same couple dozen faces around the table at Oregon Seed Council, Commission, and other industry meetings,” and he’s excited to build awareness around the work of the Oregon Seed Council and drive engagement in the industry’s government affairs work.

 

WHAT ORIN WISHES THE PUBLIC KNEW ABOUT THE OREGON SEED INDUSTRY

 

“I wish Oregonians were more informed on the positives that the seed industry brings to the table such as job and revenue creation, sustainability, and worldwide recognition.”

 

HOW ORIN GOT INVOLVED IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

 

Orin grew up as an integral part of his farm and the grass segment was always his favorite. He said he has been very fortunate in having the ability to expand their acreage gradually over the years and adopt new technologies and practices as they became available and practical.

 

WHAT ORIN DOES OUTSIDE OF THE SEED INDUSTRY

 

Orin has served as a volunteer firefighter/emergency medical responder for over 22 years and was recently promoted to Assistant Chief for the Monroe Rural Fire Protection District. He enjoys the camaraderie in serving the community with their blend of career and volunteer members, as well as acting as a mentor to new recruits.

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Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Immediate Past President Kate Hartnell

Meet the Oregon Seed Council: Immediate Past President Kate Hartnell

 

ABOUT KATE

Kate Hartnell is the Immediate Past President of the Oregon Seed Council and current President of Operations for Saddle Butte Ag in Shedd, Oregon.

 

Kate’s grass seed story is one of love. She had lived in the valley for most of her life but was completely oblivious to the grass seed industry until she met her now husband. They started farming shortly after Kate graduated college and started working for Saddle Butte Ag as an assistant bookkeeper. Now the President of Operations for Saddle Butte Ag, she says that she’s “picked up a few things.”

 

WHAT INTERESTS KATE IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

When it comes to the seed industry Kate says she “appreciates the seed industry’s dedication to innovation, constantly developing new varieties to improve crop yields and resilience.”

 

She is excited for the industry’s “growing commitment to sustainable practices ensures a more resilient and eco-friendly agricultural future.”

 

WHAT KATE LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Kate loves that the Oregon Seed Council is a place for collaboration and truly a place for the industry to come together. She says, “I appreciate the monthly updates from all the industry organizations and delving into detailed conversations on issues that impact the industry as a whole.”

 

WHAT KATE SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

“I hope to see the Oregon Seed Council continue to grow as an industry representative across multiple platforms, specifically legislative involvement at the state and national levels.”

 

WHAT KATE WISHES THE PUBLIC KNEW ABOUT THE OREGON SEED INDUSTRY

When asked what she wished more people know about the seed industry, she said, “I wish more people understood the vital role the seed industry, including organizations like the Oregon Seed Council, plays in global food security and agricultural sustainability.”

 

Kate said, “I truly believe that I work in one of the greatest industries in the world!”

 

WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORK

When she’s not busy working, Kate enjoys hunting and camping with family and friends.

 

Contributed by: Mandy Vanderpool | OSC Intern

Oregon Association of Nurseries Financial Aid Night

Oregon Seed Council partner, the Oregon Association of Nurseries is hosting an agriculture industry financial aid night on Wednesday, April 16th at 5 p.m. This will be an online event for college or high school students for the Class of 2026. Jenn Satalino, director of The College Place-Oregon, will lead the event. She has assisted numerous agricultural and ranch families traverse the process of college finance and scholarships and collectively has over 35 years of experience helping students pursue higher education. Satalino is a Certified Financial Aid Administrator, the highest certification offered by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

 

Register for the event here.

To set up an individual appointment, click here.

Click here for the TCP Registration Form.

Contact Jenn Satalino at JSatalino@ecmc.org for more information.

 

Contributed by: Mandy Vanderpool | OSC Intern

Meet the Oregon Seed Council: 1st Vice President Dave Goracke

Meet the Oregon Seed Council: 1st Vice President Dave Goracke

 

ABOUT DAVE

Dave Goracke serves on the Oregon Seed Council Board of Directors as First Vice President and representative of the Oregon Tall Fescue Commission.

 

He owns and manages Cala Farms, Inc. in Shedd, Oregon, a family-owned seed production farm that focuses on regenerative practices. Dave is most interested in soil health. He grew up on his family’s grass seed farm and said that “farming or being involved in ag is what I always knew I wanted to do.”

 

ABOUT THE TALL FESCUE COMMISSION

The Oregon Tall Fescue Commission funds promotion and research to benefit Oregon tall fescue growers and industry.

 

WHAT INTERESTS DAVE IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

Dave is most interested the benefits the seed industry can have on soil health.

 

WHAT DAVE LOVES ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

He said, “It is a collaboration of positive efforts and clearing house for the good of the seed industry.”

 

WHAT DAVE SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

“Organization, direction, education, purpose.”

 

WHAT DAVE WISHES THE PUBLIC KNEW ABOUT THE OREGON SEED INDUSTRY

He wishes that the public knew more about the good things the Oregon seed industry brings to our state.

 

WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORK

“There are two things I enjoy outside of work. I have restored several vehicles to different levels.  Currently, I’m restoring the first vehicle that I owned, a 1976 Ford Bronco. I also enjoy riding dirt bikes.”

 

Contributed by: Mandy Vanderpool | OSC Intern

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Meet the Oregon Seed Council: President Alex Duerst

Alex currently serves as Oregon Seed Council’s president.

 

ABOUT ALEX

Alex works at Ioka Farms in Silverton, Oregon. Ioka Farms is a vertically integrated, multi-generational, family-owned and operated farm, specializing in grass seed production, processing, and distribution.

 

Some Ioka Farms’ production crops include fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, meadowfoam, oats, wheat, forage brassicas, and hazelnuts.

 

WHAT INTERESTS ALEX IN THE SEED INDUSTRY

“I have been interested in grass seed production and farming in general since I was a small boy. Growing up on the farm, I had many opportunities to come to work with my dad. I think that exposure at a young age really steered my career choice. I also love what I do. The varying tasks going on all year really make grass seed production something that never gets boring or monotonous.”

 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Alex says that he loves that his family has a long history of being involved with the Oregon Seed Council. He stated, “I am glad to continue that tradition with myself now being an active member of the organization. The Seed Council is a very important aspect of the grass seed industry. I like how it provides a place for information to be shared amongst industry stakeholders.”

 

WHAT ALEX SEES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

Alex says that having a new executive director has given the Oregon Seed Council a bright future with many new opportunities ahead.

 

“Committees have been revitalized and the overall function of the Board seems to be improved in a short amount of time. I would like to see the Oregon Seed Council in the coming years be a more widely recognized name with the public. I think we’re heading in the right direction to reach that goal.”

 

WHAT ALEX WISHES PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE SEED INDUSTRY AND THE OREGON SEED COUNCIL

“Seed producers care about the environment and are good stewards of the land. That the seed industry has a larger impact on the Oregon economy than most may realize.”

 

SERVICE TO THE SEED INDUSTRY

In addition to serving as the Oregon Seed Council President, Alex served on the Oregon Tall Fescue Commission from 2007-2013, Oregon Ryegrass Commission from 2017-2023, and the Oregon Seed Growers League Board from 2014 to present.

 

Contributed by: Mandy Vanderpool, Oregon Seed Council Intern

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OSC and Partners Testify in Opposition to Fertilizer Mandate, Highlight Need for Policy Development to Include Stakeholders it Proposes to Regulate

A hearing was held Tuesday February 4th for SB 747, it would require every landowner in the state with more than 200 acres of irrigated agricultural land to register and annually report fertilizer use, with a goal of having the Oregon Department of Agriculture “identify persons who are over applying fertilizer” and impose civil penalties for violations.

 

Agricultural groups have NOT been engaged on this bill. Nearly 100 letters were submitted in opposition as of Thursday, February 6. Oregon Seed Council Executive Director Megan Chuinard submitted written testimony on behalf of Oregon Seed Council.

 

“The bill was crafted without intimate knowledge of the agriculture industry. There is no universal or standardized guidance on fertilizer application. This bill does not recognize that fertilizer rates, needs, and application will vary year-to-year, by soil-type, and are dependent upon the crop being grown,” she stated in her testimony.

 

“In addition, fertilizer inputs are expensive, and our farmers are producing products for food and fiber on tight margins. There is no incentive for growers to oversupply inputs, and as stewards of the land, they work diligently to ensure the health and viability of their crops, soils, water quality, and the overall health of the environment. Their land is their livelihood.”

 

Oregon Seed Council Immediate Past President and current Government Affairs Committee Co-Chair, Kate Hartnell testified virtually on behalf of Oregon Seed Council.

 

“Requiring producers to report raw fertilizer use data disregards the complexity of applications, creating a misleading narrative that application rates as a stand alone data point can clarify what ‘overapplication’ is,” Hartnell stated.

 

“It is disappointing to see that this measure was drafted without consultation of the industry it proposes to regulate.”

 

“Our members work closely with Oregon State University, the United States Department of Agriculture, agronomists, and other experts on research, for trials, and for support on a number of agronomic needs, including the application of fertilizer.”

 

Legislators that are members of the agricultural community also testified: including Representative Shelly Boshart Davis, Representative Bobby Levy, and Representative Anna Scharf.

 

Those who testified in opposition made a strong case that rates alone cannot determine overapplication, and there is no standardized guidance on rates based on the variety of factors that impact nutrient needs and uptake. The bill as drafted reflects a lack of understanding of both crop nutrition science and groundwater impacts. Two-hundred acres is an arbitrary number with no connection to data or evidence. The proposal, if passed would likely be a multi-million-dollar program that would not yield the information proponents are seeking. For effective policy, stakeholders and experts in the field should be included in policy discussions.

 

Additional information and video of the hearing will be available here.

 

Contributed by: Mandy Vanderpool, Oregon Seed Council Intern

OSC Releases 2023-2024 Annual Report

The Oregon Seed Council is proud to release its 2023-2024 Annual Report.

The 2023-2024 Fiscal Year has come to a close and the organization has a lot to celebrate.

The Oregon Seed Council has come a long way in charting our path for the future and enhancing the organization to be one that embodies the goals, ambitions, and desired direction of the seed industry.

The report provides a snapshot of the organization’s work over the last year.

Key accomplishments for OSC include:

  • Establishing a Mission, Vision, and Values Statements.
  • Developing and implementing member training and resources.
  • Enhancing our public relations platform – increasing publications to the industry and development of new tools and partnerships.
  • Increasing our engagement and partnerships in the government affairs world and getting active in big policy discussions – like the Federal Farm Bill and regulatory challenges.
  • Reinvigorating OSC’s Committees and seeking active input from industry members on critical issues and programs.
  • Strategic planning – this critical step will set us up for success far into the future.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 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 appreciated.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Oregon Seed Council

Contact

(503) 585-1157
info@oregonseedcouncil.org

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