California Crop Improvement Association

The California Crop Improvement Association is officially recognized as the seed certifying agency under the California Seed Law. The mission of CCIA is to provide services and support research that promotes the improvement, production, distribution and use of superior quality seeds and other agricultural products.

CCIA provides seed certification service - a voluntary quality assurance program for the maintenance and increase of agronomic and vegetable crop seed. Each variety that is entered into this program has been evaluated for its unique characteristics such as pest resistance, adaptability, uniformity, quality, and yield. Seed production is closely monitored by CCIA to prevent out-crossing, weed, other crop and disease contamination that may negatively affect seed quality.

CCIA is a non-profit corporation, managed by an executive director who reports to an elected and representational Board of Directors on matters of policy and finance. Eight members of the board are certified seed growers.  The remaining members are composed of representatives from the UC Davis College of Agriculture, UC Cooperative Extension, California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Farm Bureau, California Ag Commissioners Association, California Seed Association, UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center, UC Davis Foundation Seed Program, and two Directors at Large which are also certified seed growers.