Steve Knox, Nebraska Crop Improvement Association secretary/manager and affiliate with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, retired July 1. Knox has led the NCIA since 2001. He started with the Association on March 1, 1998, as the field services supervisor. In 2000, he stepped into the interim manager position and was named secretary/manager in 2001 by the NCIA Board of Directors.

“It has been a real joy to work with the seed producers and seed companies in Nebraska for 23 years,” Knox said. “I wish the best to all the members of the Association and for the future success of Nebraska Crop Improvement Association.”

Knox grew up working on the family farm that produced alfalfa, wheat, corn, soybeans and sorghum on 1,000 acres with cow/calf operation, feedlot and confinement hog operation. He took a research position with the University of Nebraska before working for the University of Wyoming for 10 years as superintendent of the Torrington Research and Extension Center and then as director of Extension and Research for Lincoln County Wyoming.

During his tenure at NCIA he was able to guide the Association to a strong financial position and established the Nebraska Seed Tracking System, a web-based system for seed growers to apply for field inspections and to receive most all of their field inspection and seed test reports electronically.
Knox served on the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies Board of Directors from 2005 through 2011. He served as President of the AOSCA Board in 2010. He served on the AOSCA Board during a time of transition from a part-time executive director to a full-time director, helping to edit the AOSCA by-laws and developing staffing policies.

AOSCA membership consists of 46 United States agencies and 10 global member agencies. The purpose of AOSCA is to assist its members in providing and promoting seed certification, quality assurance, identity preservation and other services which facilitate the production and distribution of seed, grain and other plant products. Its members provide a global network of organizations with the experience and resources necessary to provide these important services to the seed industry and related businesses.

The NCIA Board of Directors is currently conducting a search to fill the secretary/manager position.