Before AAS, in the 1920’s and 30’s, consumer
magazine editors knew little about new garden varieties
and had few resources to obtain reliable information.
Articles as a result might be misleading or incorrect.
The “Garden Club” movement was in its
infancy and needed material. Home, farm seed and
florist magazines all were hungry for garden news.
In 1932, W. Ray Hastings was president of the Southern
Seedsmen’s Association of Atlanta, Georgia.
He proposed the idea of All-America Selections
as a way for home gardeners to learn which
new varieties are truly improved. To do so, he
encouraged all
seed
companies to set up trial grounds, cooperatively
test new varieties and agree to develop marketing
efforts for new vegetables and flowers.
Mr. Hastings recommended a national network of trial
grounds throughout North American climates where
flower and vegetable varieties would be grown and
assessed by skilled, impartial judges. The seed trials
would accept only new, previously unsold varieties.
AAS was founded in 1932 and the first AAS Winners
were announced a year later, after 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.
AAS Trials have been conducted every year since 1932.
The number of Judges and sites may vary, but the
trials are conducted each year. In 1984 the AAS Board
of
Directors decided to simplify the award system
and award only two types. There is an AAS Gold Medal
award reserved for a breeding breakthrough. Gold
Medal Awards have been rare, only given once or
twice
a decade. The other AAS Award recognizes a flower
or vegetable for significant achievements, proven
to be superior to all others on the market.
AAS does not advertise the AAS Award Winners. AAS
relies upon a public relations program to inform
gardeners about AAS Winners that are announced each
September. Consumer magazines, newspapers, garden
club bulletins and cooperative extension agents are
depended upon to introduce AAS Winners to home gardeners.
AAS continues as the oldest, most established international
testing organization in North America.
