The last time I wrote a column for this magazine it was as executive director of the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC).
Seed analysts in Canada are now represented by the Seeds Canada Seed Testing and Quality Assurance Steering Committee. The committee works directly with myself as Seeds Canada’s staff liaison and we will provide members with information, engagement, education, training, and professional development opportunities on issues related to seed testing and seed quality.
The committee has seven main tasks:
- Consult with members and make recommendations to the board on issues directly related to seed testing and seed quality assurance;
- Work with other Seeds Canada committees on seed testing and quality issues as required;
- Develop new and/or expand existing professional development programs which will raise the proficiency and competency of Seeds Canada’s Professional Class members;
- Review and assess the Professional Development (formerly CSAAC’s Continuing Education) Program and Seal Program requirements for Seeds Canada’s seed analyst Professional Class members;
- Engage and consult with Seeds Canada’s members and provide guidance to the Seeds Canada staff liaison on areas of focus for training development, workshops, and programs relating to seed testing;
- Engage with Seeds Canada’s members and address issues that may arise in seed testing methods with respect to uniformity and quality.
We are happy to have 12 dedicated committee members. They are:
- Dianne Gilhuly — Chair of the Kent Agri Lab in Chatham-Kent, Ont.
- Amanda Hodges — Quality & Safety Manager for J.S. Henry & Son inOak River, Man.
- Chantal Lecavalier — Quality Control Director, Sollio Agriculture in Longueuil, Que.
- Dave Toneguzzo — Product Manager, Stokes Seeds in Hamilton, Ont.
- Erick Lutterotti — General Manager, Gold Medal Seeds in Brooks, Alta.
- Ian Rumble — Regional Production Manager, Soybeans, Syngenta in Blenheim, Ont.
- Janek Bartel — Assistant Lab Manager, SGS in Sherwood Park, Alta.
- Kimiko Epp — Quality Systems Manager, HyTech Production in Lethbridge, Alta.
- Lisa Greenan — Senior Seed Analyst, Seed Check Technologies in Leduc, Alta.
- Monica Garcia —Quality Testing Lab Manager, Corteva Agriscience in Chatham-Kent, Ont.
- Pat Brownfield — Seed Lab Manager, ADM Edible Beans in Twin Falls, ID
- Shari Lafreniere — Senior Analyst, 20/20 Seed Labs in Winnipeg, Man.
This is a Seeds Canada steering committee. The chair will always be a board director. Other members are Seeds Canada members. Membership terms for this committee are one year.
I’m happy to answer questions you might have in regard to the committee’s work and any ideas that might be top-of-mind for you as we move ahead to further the discussion around seed testing quality assurance in Canada.
Feel free to email me at kerickson@seeds-canada.ca for information on this committee or any others, or to inquire about Seeds Canada membership and getting involved.
