ASTA’s Dr. Sam Crowell Named to USDA/USTR Advisory Committee

Alexandria, VA- U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced Dr. Samuel Crowell, Senior Director, International Programs and Policy for the American Seed Trade Association, was appointed to serve on one of seven agricultural trade advisory committees (ATACs).

Dr. Crowell has an extensive background in agricultural policy spanning trade, regulatory, and foreign affairs, which will allow him to contribute both technical and policy expertise as a member of the ATAC for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds, and Planting Seeds. Prior to joining ASTA in 2022, Sam held a variety of roles in the U.S. government, working in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) as a trade negotiator, the U.S. Department of State on agricultural foreign affairs, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a science policy fellow. He holds a Ph.D. in the plant breeding sciences.

"Seed serves as the foundation of much of the U.S. agricultural sector, and trade is critical to our industry's success. It's a tremendous privilege representing the American seed industry every day here at ASTA, and I'm sincerely looking forward to contributing to the ATACs," Crowell says.

Provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on ATACs:

The advisory committee system was created by Congress to ensure that U.S. agricultural stakeholders have input and insight into U.S. trade policy and negotiating objectives. The Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee is comprised of senior representatives from across the U.S. agricultural community who advise the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on overall trade policy matters, while members of the six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees provide technical advice and guidance from the perspective of their specific product sectors.

This group of appointed advisors will serve until 2028. A complete roster of members and additional information about the committees is available at www.fas.usda.gov/atacs.

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