5. • National network of two types of
trials: Flowers and Vegetables
• Standardized evaluations and
scoring
• Incentives for breeders
• Independent, unbiased testing
AAS created:
12. The Process
Breeder: new,
never-before-
sold variety
Comparison
Committee
To Trial
Judges
Seed from
other breeders
AAS Office
AAS Board of
Directors
AAS Winner
Announcement
Sales
Commence
Scoring and
Evaluations
In 1932, the idea of All-America Selections for testing and evaluating new varieties of flowers and vegetables was started by Ray Hastings, a prominent seedsman who was ending his term as president of the Southern Seedsmen’s Association. He created National network of two types of trials: Flowers and Vegetables
Standardized evaluations and scoring
Incentives for breeders
Independent, unbiased testing
1934 AAS Winners announced by Ray Hastings
32 Flower Winners including 6 Gold
12 Vegetable Winners including 3 Gold
Originally there were 3 types of AAS Awards – Bronze, Silver, and Gold. In 1984 the AAS Board of Directors, deciding the award types were too confusing, eliminated the bronze and silver awards. There are now two awards, an AAS Award and a Gold Medal AAS Award which is reserved for a breeding breakthrough.
Ten trial grounds for vegetables and ten for flowers were established under seedsmen in whom the seed industry had the greatest confidence. These judges already had trials for their own firms and had most cultivated varieties in commerce for comparison ratings.
1952 AAS Gold Medal Winner Snap bean ‘Wade’ bred by Dr. J. H. Wade, USDA
The 1952 AAS Gold Medal Vegetable Winners Snap Bean ‘Wade’ and Lettuce ‘Salad Bowl’ are still available in 2013.
During World War II, Ray Hastings was one of those called to Washington when the Victory Garden Campaign got underway. The campaign promoted the cultivation of available private and public lands, resulting in over five million gardens and foodstuff production exceeding $1.2 billion by the end of the war. Talk about the project I did last year about number of flower vs. vegetable winners.
Mention similar programs abroad
Mention similar programs abroad—40 years and 20 trial grounds
Mention similar programs abroad
Michigan Bedding Plant trial
Kansas State Olathe—Judge Cary Rivard
Website—shows Display Gardens—Anne Wildeboor
Website—show tab for trial grounds and signs and brochures
Website—show tab for trial grounds and signs and brochures
Website—show tab for trial grounds and signs and brochures