b"GIANT VIEWSCSGA'S ROADMAP TO SUCCESS IS CLEARSEVERAL MONTHS after Canadian Seed GrowersCSGA has already announced that Association members voted down the Seeds Canada amal- it plans to have a new target operat-gamation proposal, Im confident about the future of mying model ready in the new year, association. Anyone looking for a roadmap to the futurewhich will lay out a path forward.of CSGA need look no further than its strategic plan,A recent edition of CSGAs Seed available on the CSGA website. Scoop newsletter notes that, The The plan lays out five main initiatives that CSGA isnew [Seeds Canada] organization undertaking that are designed to move Canadian seedis similar to, but different in some growers into the 21st century. Part of the plan is to mod- important ways, from the version that Ron Markert, ernize Circular 6, including enhancing CSGAs memberCSGA members rejected this past President,services and expanding its business opportunities summer. Markert Seeds which involves developing and implementing a businessIt goes on to say that CSGA looks plan to facilitate CSGAs expansion into the certification offorward to working with the new non-traditional crop kinds and types. organization to ensure that seed CSGAs recent announcement that it has developedgrowers voices are aligned with certification requirements for feminized hemp seed varie- those of the new organization where ties to allow Canadian plant breeders and seed growerswe have similar policy positions and to produce seed for this potentially lucrative market are awhere we do not, to seek common prime example. ground.Thats what seed growers have always donemod- As our national president Joe ernize and keep up with the times. Everything is laid outRennick said in a letter to mem-in the CSGA Strategic Plan, and we are carrying out thatbers back in October of 2020, the vision every day. Canadian Food Inspection Agency Despite the CSGA vote to not become a part of Seedshas just initiated the first phase of Canada, Seeds Canada is going ahead with the participa- its long-awaited process to modern-tion of the other four associations and is expected to beize the Seeds Regulations, with the active as of Feb. 1, 2021.establishment of a Seed Regulatory As it moves ahead as a standalone organization, in myModernization Working Group. personal opinion, CSGA members should be confidentCSGA is at the table, but we are one in the path ahead. All of the articles I have read in vari- of many, so effective partnerships ous media about the Seeds Canada amalgamation focusand alliances will continue to be key on the fact that CSGA members overwhelmingly votedsuccess factors going forward, Mr. against amalgamation. Rennick wrote.To me, the August 2020 no vote was not a voteIll be the first to say that the two against amalgamation so much as it was a vote for CSGAgroupsCSGA and Seeds Canada and what many seed growers see as the path to ensuring will accomplish a lot if we work the best for their businesses. together. As a proud seed grower There was a lot about the Seeds Canada proposal thatand CSGA member, I look forward seed growers like me saw as potentially detrimental toto seeing both organizations work their bottom lines. As CSGA members, we have a strongtoward a common good. voice and strong influence over policy development and we want that to continue. Markert is the owner of Markert The CSGA is preparing to make important decisionsSeeds in Vulcan, Alta. He has sat on about its future and the positions it will take on Seednumerous seed grower boards and Regulatory Modernization. These decisions will set thewas a member of the Seed Synergy course for the CSGA to achieve its vision for a modern seedOversight Committeecertification system by communicating with its members.48GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2021"