At its awards night held in Victoria, B.C., the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association honoured some major industry influencers with its Honorary Life, Robertson Associate and Clark-Newman-Clayton Awards.
The Quiet Giant of Bean Breeding Gets His Due
After more than four decades of groundbreaking research, mentorship, and impact on Canadian agriculture, Dr. Peter Pauls, professor emeritus at the University of Guelph, was recognized with a prestigious award from the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association — the Honorary Life Award.
With over 50 registered bean varieties and nearly 200 scientific publications to his name, Pauls’ legacy in public plant breeding is monumental. But colleagues say it’s his humility and dedication that truly define him. “He always said, ‘Forget about the doctor part,’” one longtime collaborator shared. “He’s just Peter — down-to-earth, committed, and a true believer in public science.”
Pauls credited much of his success to those who stood beside him — fellow breeders, graduate students, industry partners, and Ontario’s bean growers. He also praised organizations like CSGA for helping get innovations out of the lab and into farmers’ hands. “Canada needs more groups like this to achieve its innovation goals,” he said.
Ron Markert Helped Farmers Work Together — and Win
With a career that spans nearly half a century and a family legacy rooted in Canadian agriculture, Alberta’s Ron Markert was honoured for his extraordinary contributions to the seed sector, receiving the Robertson Associate Award.
Markert, who produced his first pedigreed crop in 1977, has played a vital role at both the provincial and national levels, helping build a stronger, more collaborative seed industry. A founding member of SeedNet and a long-time presence on numerous boards, Markert has not only adapted to the shifting tides of agriculture but helped steer them.
“Ron has always been a visionary,” said longtime friend and SeedNet partner Richard Stamp. “He saw early on that the seed industry needed to collaborate, not compete, if we were going to thrive.”
Through SeedNet, Markert helped pioneer a grower-owned model that shared production, benchmark pricing, and new opportunities — laying the groundwork for a network that remains vital to Canadian agriculture today.
But it wasn’t just about strategy and seed lots. Markert reminded the audience that the real reward was the people he met along the way.
For young people just getting into the industry, Markert offered simple advice: “Get involved. You’ll learn how the seed system really works — and you’ll meet some of the best people you’ll ever know.”
Joe Rennick Recognized for a Lifetime of Steady Leadership
Joe Rennick may not have been able to attend the ceremony in person to receive his Robertson Associate Award, but his presence was deeply felt.
A third-generation seed grower from Saskatchewan, Rennick has devoted more than 20 years to the leadership of the CSGA — including a pivotal term as president. Known for his calm resolve and deep commitment to growers, Rennick helped guide the organization through times of change, always keeping one principle at the forefront: decisions must serve the people who plant the seed.
“Joe’s vision and steady hand carried us forward,” said Jonathan Nyborg, who spoke on Rennick’s behalf. “This award means a great deal to him — so much so, he got emotional just thinking about what he wanted to say.”
Though he couldn’t be at the event, Rennick was surprised earlier this year with an impromptu visit from CSGA directors, who presented him with the award during a quiet celebration at home. It now sits proudly in a spot where he can see it every day.
André Lussier’s Unlikely Path to Impact
André Lussier didn’t grow up on a farm — but you’d never know it from the impact he’s made in Canadian agriculture. He also received the Robertson Associate Award.
Born and raised in Montreal, Lussier charted an unconventional path to farming, eventually becoming a leader in the seed industry and a passionate voice for innovation and sustainability. He was honoured by the CSGA for his outstanding service and leadership at both the provincial and national levels.
“I didn’t have the traditional background,” Lussier told the audience. “But I had the passion.”
That passion first sparked during childhood visits to his uncle’s dairy farm and grew stronger when he met his wife, whose family farmed near Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Lussier joined the farm — despite never having seen a pig before — and helped grow it into a thriving operation. His fresh perspective and openness to new ideas became one of his greatest strengths.
“With no farming background, I had a blank page,” he said. “Innovation came naturally.”
Lussier’s journey into seed production was driven by that same curiosity and desire to do something meaningful. As he became more involved with the CSGA and its Quebec chapter, he brought new energy and ideas to the table — all while staying grounded in his core values of sustainability, family, and community.
The Leader Who Brought Canada’s Seed Sector Together
He’s known for his big laugh, bigger heart, and unwavering dedication to the Canadian seed industry. This week, Jonathan Nyborg — the “gentle giant from the Maritimes” — was awarded the prestigious Robertson Associate Award for his lifelong service to the CSGA.
A third-generation seed grower from New Brunswick, Nyborg chose the tractor over the toque, turning down a culinary career to join his family’s farm straight out of high school. He founded Nyborg Farms, producing high-generation pedigreed seed with his two sons — but his impact reached far beyond the farm gate.
Nyborg’s leadership resume is long and impactful: president of the CSGA Maritime branch for a decade starting in 2001, national board member from 2012, and president from 2018 to 2020. During his national term, he helped steer the seed sector through the high-stakes Seed Synergy Collaboration Project — a demanding, multi-year effort that reshaped how Canada’s seed organizations work together.
Known for his humility and inclusive spirit, Nyborg turned every meeting into an open-door conversation. Accepting the award, he compared the recognition to winning an Oscar — but quickly turned the spotlight on others.
“I want to thank my producers, affiliate members, fellow directors — and all the incredible people who make this organization what it is,” he said. “You’re more than colleagues. You’re family.”
The Man Who Turned a Rainy Field Into a Lifelong Calling
Art Gorda didn’t set out to become a legend in the seed industry. In fact, his first day on the job — trudging through a wet Timothy field in brand-new shoes that didn’t survive the shift — could’ve gone very differently. But instead of turning back, he fell in love with crop inspection.
That moment sparked a 51-year career dedicated to upholding quality, training the next generation, and serving Canada’s seed growers with heart and humility.
Tonight, Gorda was honoured by the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association for a lifetime of service that helped shape seed inspection in Western Canada, receiving the CSGA Honorary Life Award. From his early days with the federal government to his current work with Westgreen Crop Inspection, Gorda has never stopped walking fields — or telling stories along the way.
“I ruined my shoes, but I found my calling,” he said, reflecting on that pivotal first inspection.
After earning his diploma in plant science at Olds College, Gorda joined Agriculture Canada, where he spent 35 years before transitioning into private inspection. Over the years, he trained more than 70 inspectors, many of whom now carry forward his passion and precision. Even retirement didn’t slow him down. When government priorities shifted, he pivoted to Westgreen, where he continues to work more than five decades later.
Postman’s Grandson, Prairie Innovator
Dr. Pierre Hucl isn’t just one of Canada’s most prolific plant breeders — he’s a storyteller, an historian, and a tireless champion for food security. This week, the CSGA honoured Hucl with the prestigious Clarke-Newman-Clayton Award, recognizing his outstanding achievements in plant breeding research.
Since joining the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre in 1990, Hucl has released over 90 wheat varieties that have bolstered yields, improved disease resistance, and enhanced sustainability across Western Canada. His scientific contributions — rooted in innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact — have helped transform the country’s ag landscape.
But Hucl’s journey into agriculture didn’t start in Saskatchewan — it started in central France, where summers spent with his grandfather sparked a lifelong fascination with farming. “He was a postman, beekeeper, gardener, farmer — he did it all,” Hucl recalled. “That’s where my love for agriculture began.”
After stumbling into plant breeding as an undergrad assistant, Hucl knew he’d found his calling. Over the years, he became a strong advocate for public plant breeding and farm-funded research — even crediting early-career CSGA grants as formative to his success. “Those small grants helped guide my direction,” he said. “CSGA has been with me since the start.”
In keeping with award tradition, Hucl selected the University of Saskatchewan to nominate a graduate student for a $2,500 CSGA grant, ensuring the next generation of scientists carries the torch forward.
