Organization

Bylaws

The bylaws are currently under review for updating. A vote will be held for the general membership at the Annual Conference. Here are the proposed bylaws:

Code of Ethics

All active members of the association shall subscribe to the following code of ethics.

We possess the greatest faith in the future of the seed industry.
We recognize seeds as a fundamental part of the agricultural success of our country.
We pledge our earnest cooperation and sincere effort to protect the interests of the public, our industry and our association members through honest and upright business practices; our sincere effort to breed, grow, buy, and sell quality seeds, and to conduct ourselves in a business manner where just compensation for ourselves and our fellow seedsmen can flourish.
We believe in the Texas Seed Trade Association, subscribe to the principles for which it stands, and agree to its Rules, Constitution, and Bylaws.

Policies

Arbitration assistance

The seed Texas industry has arbitration assistance programs, administered at the state level.
Texas Department of Agriculture - Seed Arbitration: Click here

NORAM

The NORAM Seed Rules are rules and usages applicable to the trade in all categories of seeds for sowing purposes and reproductive plant material. When the code letters NORAM have been embodied in a contract pertaining to seeds, these Rules apply in full.
What NORAM Covers:
- Quality checks and analyses
- Control of trueness to variety
- Dispute resolution procedures
- Complaints handling
- Force Majeure provisions
- Arbitration procedures
How It Works: Seed contracts can reference NORAM Seed Rules and Usages to govern the terms of sale. This provides a standardized framework for seed transactions in North America, similar to how the International Seed Federation Rules govern international seed trades.
Key Link: American Seed Trade Association (ASTA)

Note: ASTA administers the NORAM Seed Rules for North American seed trade

The NORAM rules are particularly useful for providing consistent arbitration procedures and trade standards across the United States and Canada seed industries.