Pictures are linked to hi-res scans Kyle Arvin was appointed director of the New York State Seed Testing Laboratory (NYSSTL) at Cornell’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY, effective July 1. CREDIT: J.Ogrodnick/NYSAES/Cornell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 17, 2006
Contact: Linda McCandless, llm3@cornell.edu, 607-254-5137

Cornell Hires New Seed Lab Director at Geneva

By Timothy P. Krakowiak

GENEVA, NY: Kyle Arvin was appointed director of the New York State Seed Testing Laboratory (NYSSTL) at Cornell’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY, effective July 1. As financial and personnel manager of the unit, his responsibilities are to supervise the day-to-day activities of the lab, provide outreach to the New York seed industry, and support Cornell Cooperative Extension activities related to seed quality.

“We are very pleased that Kyle has accepted the position as director of the NYSSTL,” said Alan Taylor, chairperson of the Department of Horticultural Sciences. “Kyle brings great enthusiasm to the seed lab, and will continue its long tradition of quality work.”

The NYSSTL was designated as New York’s official seed-testing laboratory in 1912. As one of the leading seed labs in the country, it is recognized for its expertise in seed testing, teaching and training activities, and participation in regional, national, and international seed associations. The lab provides seed testing for a fee to residents, growers, food processors, seed companies, and government agencies, and is active in the development of new and improved testing procedures.

As the lab’s director, Arvin is responsible for accurate and timely results and is accountable to Cornell University as well as commercial customers and state agencies like the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

“Having worked with organizations who have dealt with seed for anything from prairie restorations to growing plants for landscaping, it is amazing how little knowledge people have about storing seed properly to minimize damage and increase longevity,” said Arvin. “I routinely experienced how seed testing might have minimized time wasted in planting seed of poor quality.”

“New to this position is an extension responsibility to New York State agriculture,” said Taylor. “This is a positive step to provide outreach to the New York State seed and vegetable industries, and others who benefit from improved seed quality.”

Arvin got his start in the seed industry in 1989 when he was at the Indiana State Seed Laboratory. In 1995 he earned certifications in seed purity and germination. He became manager of the laboratory in 1997.

Born in Fort Rucker, Ala., and raised in Lafayette, Ind., Arvin received a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science in 1992 and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish in 2000, both from Purdue University.

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