Crop Science Society of America Plant Science for a Better World

1. Crop Science Society of AmericaPlant Science for a Better World www.crops.org

2. Who We Are International, Progressive, Scientific CSSA is a non-profit scientific organization comprised of members who advance the discipline of crop science by acquiring and disseminating information about crops in relation to seed genetics and plant breeding; crop physiology; crop production, quality, and ecology; crop germplasm resources; and environmental quality.

3. Who We Are • 5000+ Members • Students (Undergrad & Grad), Professionals, Emeritus, Corporations • 15% International • 16% employed by Industry, 30% by Academia, 10% by governments (remaining are students, other employers) • Founded in 1955 • Headquarters in Madison, WI, with a Science Policy Office in Washington, DC • 45 staff (shared with ASA and SSSA)

4. The Value of Membership • Influencing Public Opinion/Science Policy • Publishing Research • Presenting and Attending Annual Meetings • Accessing Career Resources • Networking • Leadership Opportunities • Supporting the Profession

5. Student Activities • Students of Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Sciences – 400+ members • Annual Meeting • Poster and Oral Competitions • Student Leadership • Golden Opportunity Scholars Program • Graduate Students – 900+ members • Sub-Committee of Membership Committee • Annual Meetings – 5 CSSA division student competitions • Branch Meetings – student competitions-oral & poster • Membership • Awards (fellowships, internships, etc.)

6. Influencing Policy • Congress (Congressional Visits) • White House (OSTP, PCAST) • Agencies (NOAA, NSF, DOE, DOD, USGS, EPA, USDA, NASA) • Seek federal funding for agronomic, crop and soil sciences • Advocate for our sciences funded through USDA, NSF, Department of Energy Office of Science, NASA, NOAA and other agencies • Coalitions, Commodity Groups, etc.

7. Science Policy Efforts • Congressional Visit Days • Core Constituent Scientist Teams (CCSTs) • Congressional Science Fellows • Interns • Current Issues: • Climate change, C sequestration, environment, energy, agroecosystems, frontier science, global hunger…

8. Grand Challenge Statements The Obama Administration believes that grand challenges should be an important organizing principle for America’s science, technology and innovation policy. CSSA prepared and submitted a statement of grand challenges for consideration. They may be found here: www.crops.org/science-policy/grand-challenges

9. Publications • Journals • White papers, editorials, new content • Magazines • CSA News • Books • Custom Content

10. New Content: Custom Publishing • Customers select combinations of articles, book chapters and their own front matter (e.g., a syllabus, cover art) • Authors publish their classroom lab manuals with us • make updates each semester • available to other customers for purchase

11. International Meetings • ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Joint Annual Meetings, Long Beach, CA October 31-November 4, 2010 • Keynote Speakers & Symposia • CSSA Plenary Session • Division Symposia • Hot topics, cutting-edge research, social/networking opportunities

12. Science Communications Outreach to the media and public to tell the story of crop science and its importance in everyone’s quality of life. • Press Releases • Extensive Website • Featured Scientific Articles • Follow us on Twitter: @ASA_CSSA_SSSA • Facebook • Subscribe to our RSS Feeds 

13. Explore Job Opportunities • Free resume posting (members-only) • Online job and graduate school postings • Annual Meeting job interviews

14. Career Resources & Awards • Awards, Fellows • Scholarships • Fellowships • Internships • Science Policy (DC) • Science Communications (HQ) • Golden Opportunity Scholars Institute • Online Career Resources

15. CSSA Divisions of Interest • Biomedical, Health-Beneficial, and Nutritionally Enhanced Plants • Crop Breeding and Genetics • Crop Ecology, Management & Quality • Crop Physiology and Metabolism • Forage & Grazinglands • Genomics, Molecular Genetics, and Biotechnology • Plant Genetic Resources • Seed Physiology, Production, & Technology • Turfgrass Science

16. Member Benefits • Monthly CSA News magazine • Discounts on subscriptions and books • Access to the Membership Directory • Access to the Scientific Expertise Directory • Biweekly e-newsletters – Newsflash and Science Policy Report • Opportunity to present poster and oral papers at the Annual Meetings (CSSA Members) • Free online posting of your resume • Membership in Divisions of Interest • Discounts on meeting registrations

17. Membership Opportunities • Awards, Scholarships, Fellowships • Volunteer for Society Activities • Participate in Science Policy Activities • Discount on Compensation Survey • Supporting the Profession

18. Leadership Opportunities • Committees • Task Forces • Divisions • Editorial Boards • Board of Directors • Leadership Development Workshops

19. Leadership: Win-Win! I am trying to do anything that I can to give back to the Societies because the Societies have helped my career a lot. I present research at meetings, write in the journals, review manuscripts and participate on several committees. Palle Pedersen, PhD Syngenta Crop Protection

20. So … Get Involved! • Meet new people • Broaden professional contacts • Become professionally involved • Influence policy • Find a job • Advance your career • Learn new skills • Make Positive Changes!

21. Thank You!www.crops.org/membership