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Foundation Seed Conditioning

Foundation Seed Conditioning

Completed in 1956, Foundation Seed is the source for pure genetics of varieties developed by the Agricultural Experiment Station crop-breeding teams. The primary purpose of Foundation Seed is to increase new varieties as quickly as possible, working closely with the plant breeders at SDSU and neighboring foundation seed organizations.

Building Description

As little as a few pounds up to 10 bushels of seed (breeder seed) are turned over to Foundation Seed from the crop breeder. In two to three years. this amount could be 500 to 15,000 bushels, depending on growing conditions and the crop involved.

Seed is then distributed to seed companies and farmer seedsmen throughout the state based on a set of criteria approved by the South Dakota Crop Improvement Association. This seed is then grown by these producers and sold to farmers or traded with other seedsmen as registered seed. The registered seed is then planted, and the seed harvested as certified seed. This "limited generation system" of breeder, foundation, registered and certified seed is followed by neighboring states and promotes interstate sales of seed.

Physical Address:

1211 North Campus Dr.
Brookings, SD 57007

Interactive Map

The interactive map allows users to plot directions between buildings and show locations of highlighted features and services across the SDSU campus. Click on the image below to direct you to the SDSU interactive map.

Map snapshot of Foundation Seed Conditioning