SUBMISSION FORMS
It would be extremely helpful if you would email your submission forms in an Excel document instead of a photocopy whenever possible. An Excel document allows us to do a quicker, more accurate transfer to our system using the copy and paste functions. We are unable to do this with a photocopy. You can find our submission forms on our website. These are mainly for non-health testing customers; however, you are able to adapt them for health testing as needed.
SAMPLE ENVELOPES
We have re-stocked our supply of sample envelopes for this fall. In the past, the Seed Lab has sent these envelopes out free of charge. Going forward, we are happy to continue to supply the envelopes to those customers that would like to use them; however, we are asking that the customer supply either a shipping label or shipping account # to cover the delivery. Please reach out to us at seedlab@iastate.edu or 515-294-6826 if you would like envelopes sent out to you.
PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATES
We get occasional requests asking if we can issue phytosanitary export certificates or what needs to be done to get one. The Iowa State University Seed Lab CANNOT issue phytosanitary certificates, but the seed lab test report will often be needed to obtain a certificate.
A phytosanitary certificate, or “phyto” as it is commonly called, is an official document issued under the authority of USDA-APHIS in the U.S. Each state has plant regulatory officers at the state or county level called Authorized Certifying Officials, or ACOs, who can issue phytosanitary certificates. Many seed industry companies use an online system called PCIT (Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance & Tracking System) which helps to speed the process, or you can reach out to your state Department of Agriculture for more information.
The PCIT website has good help available through the button below.
FIND US IN KANSAS CITY
Tess Howard with the Seed Lab will be at the Western Seed Association and ASTA Farm and Lawn Conference in Kansas City, MO October 30-November 1. Stop by our booth and say hi to her!
UPCOMING RETIREMENT – LAB MANAGER MIKE STAHR
Mike Stahr, Iowa State University Seed Lab Manager has announced his upcoming retirement on December 29, 2023.
Mike arrived on campus in 1979 while he and his wife, Julie, were honeymooning in Ames! Student job options were in the Chemistry Building or Seed Science and it is easy to guess which one he chose. It is now 44 years later and Mike is still wandering the halls of the Seed Science Center.
Mike has worked in every unit of the lab. His first 15 years were primarily in the Germination Lab, then supervising the Trait Lab until 2007. Mike was chosen as the new Seed Lab Manager in 2007. He is certified in germination testing and is a Certified Genetic Technologist. According to Mike, one of the perks of the job is working with many, many ISU Students over the years and having them drop by years later for a tour or a chat.
Mike has been very active in seed testing organizations AOSA and SCST. He twice was AOSA President, twice served on the SCST Executive Board, and chaired several committees, including the Rules and the Vigor committees.
In retirement, Mike’s activities will include farming, gardening, pets, volunteering, and being with family.
If you have any notes, memories or pictures of Mike that you would like to share from over the years, please send them to thoward1@iastate.edu. They will be given to him at his in-house retirement reception in mid-December.
