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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talked about the importance of seed research and preservation
during a visit to a Colorado State University lab. A substantial number of seed samples
and germplasm collected here allows us to ensure that we will always have the great
diversity. And it enables and empowers folks at Colorado State University and throughout
the United States to do the necessary research that will allow us to continue to focus on
productivity and protection of crops, which in turn allows us to be a food secure nation.
Scientists at USDA's Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, Maryland are also at
the forefront of seed research and preservation efforts.
It is our safeguard to unknown pests and disease and other environmental stresses that may
develop in the future, so if we're striving for a sustainable agriculture part of that
is to sustain our crop genetic diversity. A current problem being addressed by seed
preservation is the threat to ash trees from the emerald ash borer. We can conserve ash
if we can put it in seed storage. We have the science, we have the ability, we have
the understanding to conserve this species through seed storage.
For the U.S. Department of Agriculture, I'm Bob Ellison.