Willamette Valley Specialty Seed Association

The Willamette Valley Specialty Seed Association (WVSSA) was formed in 1980 by companies involved in producing vegetable seeds and other specialty crop seeds. With the assistance of Oregon State University Extension Service, this group was created to promote quality seed production.

One of its major activities is to maintain maps where fields are marked and recorded to ensure adequate isolation distances between genetically compatible crops. WVSSA isolation guidelines help guarantee the seed you purchase for your farm or garden is true to type. This quality control gives seed buyers of the world confidence in vegetable seed crops grown and harvested in the Willamette Valley.

In conjunction with OSU Extension Service, WVSSA maintains a map in Marion County for the north valley and a map in Linn County for the southern portion of the Willamette Valley. Membership in the association is required to participate in mapping, and may include growers. WVSSA also provides the opportunity for seed savers to pin their crops with the assistance of a WVSSA member.

The Willamette Valley is one of only five areas in the world where vegetable seed can be successfully produced. The unique growing characteristics, such as weather and climate, contribute to the success of its specialty seed production. Because of these important characteristics seed production must be protected so growers can continue to provide high quality seeds for the United States and the rest of the world.

For more information, visit the website at http:// www.thewvssa.org/. To learn more about the WVSSA, its purpose, isolation guidelines and pinning procedures contact any of the officers at http://www.thewvssa.org/documents/Board- Members.pdf.