About Us

The Missouri Crop Improvement Association (MCIA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization providing unbiased, third-party services in the areas of seed certification, quality assurance (QA), identity preserved (IP) and source identified. In addition, MCIA operates a full service laboratory providing testing and analysis services for seed & grain products.

MCIA was formed in 1904 as a student club at the University of Missouri. Early work focused on the improvement of corn, eventually branching out into other crops. MCIA was known as the Missouri Corn Growers Association from 1904 until 1946, when the name was changed to the Missouri Seed Improvement Association. The name was changed to the Missouri Crop Improvement Association in 2004 in response to the addition of programs and services that branched out beyond the traditional seed programs.

MCIA is appointed annually by the Director of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station as the official seed certifying organization for the State of Missouri and is the only entity that may perform official seed certification functions. This appointment is authorized in section 266.092 of the Missouri Seed Law.

MCIA is an active member of the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) and holds a seat on that organizations Certification Standards Council. AOSCA is the international body charged with developing and maintaining seed certification standards and procedures.

Currently, MCIA provides inspection and testing services on over 800 brands and/or varieties of over 100 different species/crops.

For additional information on MCIA or any of the services provided, please contact us at:

Missouri Crop Improvement Association
3211 Lemone Industrial Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65201-7600
PH (573) 449-0586
FX (573) 874-3193
E-mail: moseed@aol.com

Officers, Directors, and Staff