About KCIA
Organization
The Kansas Crop Improvement Association (KCIA) is the official seed and plant-part certifying agency in Kansas. It is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. KCIA consists of an open membership of growers and seed dealers who elect from among themselves ten members to serve on the 13-person KCIA board of directors.
Mission
To create the opportunity for our members to participate in integrity-based quality assurance programs that provide superior seed and plant products. We utilize research, education, certification and uniform standards that result in safe, stable, secure seedstock supply.
Membership
All activities of the Association are financed entirely through fees. Anyone interested in and supportive of the objectives of KCIA may become a member by paying an annual membership fee.
Certified Seed Grower Categories
The following categories of growers (applicants) are established for determining privileges. See the General Standards for more information.
Category I: an individual or company with KCIA membership in good standing who as at least three years of certification production experience.
Category II: an individual or company who has less than three years of certification production expeience. The following restrictions apply to Category II Growers
- May not initiate resales
- May not be approved to print own labels or pre-print bags
- May not use Bulk Distribution Centers
Approved Conditioner Categories
Category I: an individual or company with KCIA membership in good standing with a fixed base of operations equipped with the minimum equipment listed in the Conditioner Standards and may clean certified seed on a custom basis.
Category II: a conditioner that may be stationary or portable that is equipped with the minimum equipment listed in the Conditioner Standards and may clean certified seed on a custom basis.
Grower COnditioner: a conditioner that may be stationary or portable that is equipped with the minimum equipment listed in the Conditioner Standards and may only clean their own certified seed.
Code of Ethics
As a Kansas certified seedsman, I agree to:
1. Recognize my individual responsibility for increasing and maintain the genetic purity of seed for the public good.
2. Properly represent all products and services.
3. Comply with all applicable federal and state laws.
4. Comply with all KCIA standards.
5. Use honest business practices.
6. Consider my individual part in the local, state, national and international seed industry.
7. Recognize my responsibility in reflecting on the image of fellow seedsmen.
8. Maintain adequate equipment and study the operating manuals.
9. Keep up to date on all new procedures, technology and other developments.
10. Resolve complaints in a prompt, businesslike fashion.
Board of Directors
The ten elected directors, from various regions of the state, along with one director appointed by the Kansas Seed Industry Association, the head of the Agronomy department at K-State and the director of the Kansas Cooperative Extension Service, govern and establish policy for the membership. Officers are elected from the existing board members. Serving under the Board is the Executive Director and staff of professional employees.
- KCIA Bylaws (effective 2-22-24)
Cooperation
Coordination with other state certification agencies is accomplished through the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). A close working relationship is maintained with state and federal seed law enforcement agencies and seed laboratories.
History
KCIA was organized in cooperation with the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station in 1902 to improve the kinds of corn grown in Kansas. The group was first known as the Kansas Seed Corn Breeders Association.
In a short time, it was realized that varietal improvement of other crops should be included as well. In 1914, the group changed its name to the Kansas Crop Improvement Association. In 1919, Kanred wheat became the first variety inspected for certification. Since then, KCIA has certified seed of all principle crops in Kansas.
KCIA has been the sole agency responsible for seed certification in the state. In 1937, the state legislature passed the Kansas Certification Law, authorizing Kansas State University to designate the states official seed certifying agency.