n 1980 several companies involved in vegetable and specialty seed production formed the Willamette Valley Specialty Seed Association. With the assistance of the Oregon State University Cooperative Extension Service, this group was formed to promote quality seed production. One of the major activities is to maintain maps where fields are marked and recorded to ensure adequate isolation distances between crops and to ensure buyers that seed is true to type. Membership in the association is required in order to participate in mapping and may include growers. Procedures, priority rights, fees, exceptions, and arbitration rules are voluntarily adhered to by the members.

Other activities of the association include herbicide trials in conjunction with the weed specialists from Oregon State University, and promotion of the Willamette Valley as a quality seed production area. Promotion can include supporting state seed law, such as that regulating the production of canola seed.