Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1960

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department / School

Education

Abstract

In the past few years, due to the competition which certified seed has experienced from commercial brands, more emphasis has been placed on the promotion of certified seed. Different brands, blends, and non-certified seed have been sold with the aid of extensive advertising and promotional schemes. Consequently, many certified seed producers and dealers have begun to publicize their product to meet outside competition. It appears that no longer does certified seed sell to the prospective grower unless the advantages of its use are publicized to encourage the use of this superior seed. Certification of seed is conducted by either a state or national agency or an incorporated non-profit organization of seed growers. The organization or agency responsible for certification should be designated under state legislation and should have a close working relationship among seed growers, agricultural researchers, extension personnel and seed regulatory agencies. The purpose of public certification is to maintain and to make available to the public high quality seed and propagating material of superior crop varieties so grown and distributed as to insure genetic identity and genetic purity. Varieties eligible for certification have resulted from natural selection or from systematic plant breeding programs. In either case, without a planned method for maintaining genetic purity, there is a grave danger of losing varietal identity as well as valuable germ plasm. Many farmers and seed producers are growing certified seed, and in some cases they have not been able to sell their seed. When superior seed is not planted, there is a need for more education of the farmer so that he might see the benefits to be derived from using certified seed. This study is designed to explore the different media used to help promote the sale of certified seed in all sates carrying on certification programs. The opinions of the certified growers as to the effectiveness of the media used in their area were requested. The media effectiveness as reported by growers will be compared with the opinions of certification officials. A great amount of emphasis, in the past few years, has been placed on the educational promotion for increased use of certified seed. This study will help to evaluate the various materials and media, used by certification agencies in all participating states, and endeavor to find possible solutions to problems involved in the promotion of certified seed. Some of the questions which are closely related to such a study are listed below. What are the state certification agencies doing to promote the use of certified seed? What materials and media are being used for educating the farmers and promoting the use of this seed? How does the certification official rate these materials and media in respect to the increased amount of certified seed sold and in respect to the general promotion of the certification programs in the states? What is the state’s budget for the education of the grower and for the promotion of certified seed? What are the opinions of the certification agency official relative to the effectiveness of the materials and media used to increase the amount of certified seed used? Do the county extension agents and other extension personnel actively promote the use of certified seed? To what extent do commercial seedsman actively promote certified seed? Do the county agent and vocational agriculture instructor encourage certified seed production? What can be done to help promote the use of certified seed? The grower’s evaluation of the educational and promotional practices carried on by respective state officials is important. It is the growers who produce and consume the certified seed. The evaluation of the media by these growers will help certification officials identify the effective means and materials being used by the producers of certified seed.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Seeds -- Certification
Seed adulteration and inspection

Description

Includes bibliographical references

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

141

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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