Department Affiliate
Brad Erker
Director of Colorado Seeds Program
C143 Plant Science Building
brad.erker@colostate.edu
970-491-6202 office
970-491-1173 fax
Research Interests
As Director of Seed Programs, Brad is responsible for Seed Certification, the Colorado Seed Laboratory, and the Foundation Seed program in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University. He provides leadership and direct supervision of the unit managers in each program and manages all activities of the Colorado Seed Growers Association.
Colorado Seed Programs a) promotes the use, acceptance, and marketing of Certified seed in Colorado; b) conducts seed quality tests on small grains, dry beans, range and turf grasses, shrubs, forbs, and flowers seeds;c) produces and markets Foundation seed, and d) in conjunction with the CSGA Board of Directors and CSU, formulates and implements policies consistent with the purpose of seed certification. Extension activities include developing CSU Cooperative Extension educational seminars, workshops, written and electronic information on Colorado seed activities. Colorado Seed Programs at CSU interacts closely with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, USDA/APHIS, the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation (NCGRP), Seed Certification and Foundation Seed agencies in other states, the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA), Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), commodity seed groups and private seed companies.
Previous experience:
- Agronomist, Crop Quest Agronomic Services, Wiggins, Colorado
- Corn Breeder, Holden’s Foundation Seeds, Williamsburg, Iowa and Franklin, Indiana
- Agronomist, Coors Brewing Company, Monte Vista, Colorado
Certifications:
- Certified Crop Advisor