b'of the Manitoba Seed Growers Association.Churko and Sparry said that misinformation concern-ing Seeds Canada is still prevalent among seed growers,THE CSGA 2.0 WORKING GROUPSand referenced a letter issued by the Seeds Canada amal-gamating partners which comments on details concerningFour CSGA task teams have been established in three core its fees and finances. theme areas to guide the CSGA as it develops a vision for One of the major changes to the [Seeds Canada] amal- the future.gamation package has been to remove everything related to seed crop certification. That role will continue to beTheme 1 Seed Policy / Seed Regulatory Modernizationthe purview of the Canadian Seed Growers Association.TASK: Develop an environmental scan of Seeds Canada will not change seed crop certification, thetrends and developments in agriculture letter states. and agri-food (including technology), Finding Out Why regulatory policy and public-private Nyborg said CSGA needs to analyze why membersScott Horner,partnerships in Canada and other rejected the amalgamation proposal as part of revisitingChair countries; review and appraise CSGAs its Strategic Plan. CSGA is currently developing a surveyStrategic Plan and the Seed Synergy White to go out to members regarding this. Paper; and develop an analysis framework Feedback that we get from those surveys is certainlyof the current seed regulatory system with very important to help us make the decisions that werecommendations for change.need to make going forward. That engagement is how were able to make decisions that benefit growers andTheme 2A CSGA 2.0 Modernization branches and certainly, in turn, the seed sector. TASK: Recommend how CSGA 2.0 can The meeting touched on the CSGA 2.0 target operatingimprove its value proposition to members, model. Nyborg said CSGA 2.0 will continue to offer thirdthe seed industry, and Canadian party oversight and certification and expand on CSGAsagriculture and agri-food sectorstoday value-added services. The process will include moderniz- and in the future. Seed certification ing CSGA governance, its relationship with branches andGlenn Logan, looking at CSGAs structure and fees. Chair modernization, technology, seed grower According to a slide presented during the meeting,accreditations, service offerings, and CSGA is looking to develop several different workingrequired changes to policy, regulations, groups/subcommittees as it moves forward as CSGA 2.0. and standards will be reviewed.Well be looking at ourselves and looking at theTheme 2B CSGA 2.0 ModernizationAdvocacychanges that we may need to make to bylaws, to policies, looking at our governance, our membership, our branchTASK: Recommend advocacy priorities models and services that we provide, Nyborg added. and strategy while respecting CSGAs Nyborg said the working groups will conduct theirdelegated regulatory authority. Define what work over the next four to six months and a businessCSGA advocates for, to whom and how the plan is expected to be developed in 2021, possibly asAndre Lussier,branches will support a robust advocacy soon as spring. Chair mandate.He encouraged members to stay engaged in the coming months by reaching out to their provincial seed grower board, the CSGA national board, and to fill outTheme 3 CSGA 2.0 Target Operating Modelthe member survey. TASK: Develop a comprehensive CSGA We want to be able to have the leeway to explore2.0 Business Plan, including outlines some innovative and novel solutions to some of the issuesfor governance, service, membership, we may have, and we trust the membership will give usand branch models, along with any that leeway. We want to continue to commit to our mem- required changes to bylaws, policies, and bers with the opportunity for regular input, whether itsJonathan Nyborg, direct input through correspondence with the board, withChair procedures.the office, or whether its a member survey, he added. Source: CSGAWere continuing to listen to our members and to take your feedback into consideration to help us move forward. with files from Ashley RobinsonJANUARY 2021 GERMINATION.CA 15'