[citation needed] Its membership consists of over 700 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America.
As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues related to the development, marketing and movement of seed, associated products and services throughout the world.
ASTA values and promotes diversity of membership, in terms of company size, products and geographic area served.
Programs are designed as regional opportunities to expand learning, cultivate management skills, promote networking, and improve general understanding of the seed industry.
In 2014, the ASTA attended a lobby meeting with the European Seed Association (ESA) and the official US and EU delegations to discuss the industry's interest in the ongoing Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations.