Seeds are small things, but they represent tremendous technological improvements. Their truest function is to grow and adapt, becoming something else, taking on different shapes and sizes, bringing color and nourishment into our lives and ultimately, giving themselves up so we can use their goodness and potential to help us thrive.
Dr. Roger Krueger was just such a seed. As a long-time Board Member of the former American Seed Research Foundation (ASRF), he lived to make the world a better place and to make agriculture more able to feed the world. Roger took a special interest in mentoring the student participants in American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) programs and never missed an opportunity to challenge them. To honor Roger, the Seed Science Foundation (SSF) has established a Memorial Scholarship of $2,000 to remember and honor Roger, who was taken from us way too soon.
To be considered for this scholarship, you must be a Ph.D. student currently enrolled at least half-time at a U.S. university and have at least 2 semesters (or 30 hours) remaining before degree completion. Further, you must be a student member of a professional organization such as ASTA, NAPB, Tri-Societies, IPSA or APS and have an interest in joining the seed industry upon the completion of your studies. The winner will attend ASTA’s Leadership Summit in June 2026, in addition to either the Field Crop Seed Convention in December or the Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference in February.
Roger Krueger Scholarship Testimonial
“I was fortunate to receive extraordinary support from the SSF board members and ASTA staff. Teresa Mitzel, Syngenta Seeds and a member of the SSF board, became my mentor and partner in adventure. Together we discovered numerous sessions and engaged in conversations with professionals working on areas from product design to commercialization and seed trade. I saw how my research could potentially contribute as a small but valuable piece of a system with global impact, such as plant breeding and seed production. Whether we do fundamental or applied science in different areas, with time, it all contributes to better and more resilient production systems. The opportunities given by this award became a perfect platform to apply my communication and leadership skills. A platform to connect with future colleagues and kind people I hope to call friends one day.” – Henry Cordoba Novoa, 2023 recipient