1. All-America Selections A Presentation at the KA Plug Autumn Trials October 2010 Jim Nau

3. AAS BRAND PROMISE All-America Selections is an independent, non-biased organization of horticulture experts who research, observe and judge the best varieties of flowers and vegetable plants across North America. Over 55 trial judges select the best products for consumers across a range of criteria.

4. History of All-America Selections

5. W. Ray Hastings Founder of AAS

7. Mission To test and evaluate the latest breeding developments in seed propagated flowers and vegetables through impartial trials across North America.

8. Purpose Encourage breeders to develop new varieties for improved quality and performance. To provide home gardeners with new flowers and vegetables that have won the AAS award based on proven performance. Assist garden writers with informative press releases and photography of the AAS winners.

9. Benefits To seed companies – the honor of winning a nationally recognized award To bedding plant growers – tested new varieties, a national publicity program and “seed in the bag” To home gardeners – proven superior garden performance

10. Structure AAS Council AAS Judges (Full & Provisional) AAS Officers & Board of Directors

12. The Trial Programs Bedding Plant Trial Flower Trial Vegetable Trial Cool Season Trial

15. Trialing Procedures

16. Trialing timeline: Entries submitted July through October Comparisons selected Seed gathered from breeders & mailed to judges Seed germinated, grown and transplanted Summer = judging period September/October - final judging and scores submitted November – first Winner introductions

17. Improvements such as: Earliness Unique color, flower form Free Flowering Higher yield on vegetables Tolerance to stress Disease resistance Better garden performance for the home gardener

18. Publicity Program

22. 2009 Publicity Program AAS was able to track 203 unique printed articles of the AAS winners for the calendar year of 2009. Of these articles 169 were in media AAS was able to measure in terms of circulation or exposure to the public Overall 149,067,670 documented media impressions were seen January thru December of 2009

23. Of the 203 articles 24 internet sources 30 magazines 48 newspapers 9 blogs 34 trade journals Miscellaneous

35. The Emblem means: A living seed, a new flower or vegetable The Winner has been thoroughly trialed across North America It has been judged superior to varieties on the market It’s a WINNER!