All-America Selections History
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
All-America Selections (AAS) promotes new garden seed varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials across the United States and Canada. AAS is the oldest, most established, international organization in North America testing flowers and vegetables from seed.
When the idea for All-America Selections was conceived in 1932, there were only a few flower or vegetable testing locations around the country. If a person or seed company wanted to introduce a new variety, the plants were usually tested in one geographic area. There was neither a national independent testing program nor a uniform standard for evaluation of new plant varieties.
1n 1932, W. Ray Hastings proposed a national independent network of testing locations where new, unsold flower and vegetable varieties could be tested in various climates by impartial, unpaid horticultural experts. He presented his proposal to the Southern Seedsman’s Association in Atlanta, Ga. His idea took root and the Association donated “seed” money to begin All-America Selections. Mr. Hastings guided AAS, serving as Executive Secretary from 1932 to 1971.
The first AAS Winners were announced a year after the organization was founded, when the results were tabulated for the first trial. AAS Winners have been introduced each year since 1933. In 1934, there were 30 AAS Award Winning new varieties introduced, a record number. There have not been that many AAS Winners introduced since 1934.
Now, more than 7 decades later, All-America Selections remains true to the original mission—to test and introduce new varieties that have proven their performance. AAS introduces only the significantly improved new varieties as AAS Winners for gardeners in North America.
All-America Selections was presented the Garden Writers Association Wilfred J. Jung Award for distinguished service to horticulture in 2005.
