b'CSAAC / SEEDANALYSTS.CA / DESPITE THE UNKNOWN, WE ARE STRONGER WHEN UNITEDTHERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERSA NEW ERA may soon begin for members of theAs part of the NSO, CSAAC itself Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada. would cease to exist, but we would In June we held our virtual meeting. Its the firstdo the work we do now while being time we have ever done so. We had more memberspart of a larger organization that participate than normal, due to the convenience of theallows us to amplify our voice.virtual format. We usually get 35-40 members take partThis is bittersweet for us. CSAAC in an in-person meeting. With our virtual meeting, wewas formed in 1944 by six seed attracted 48 members plus many CFIA Seed Section andanalysts working in the private sector. Seed Science and Technology Section guestsa greatThe goals at the time were uniform-turnout! ity, education, keeping up with new Chantal Lecavalier,Shirley Baraniski and Cathy Breadner both left thetechnologies, and cooperating with Incoming CSAACboard this year. We would like to thank Shirley andregulators. The founding members President Cathy for their time, dedication and support on thewere all women, a trend that contin-board. They have both been a great asset and we willues todayof CSAACs 88 members, miss them. We are welcoming Lisa Greenan and Bonnie66 are female.Benoit. CSAAC has a great relationship On Aug. 12 we will vote on the matter of joiningwith the Canadian Food Inspection Seeds Canada, the proposed National Seed OrganizationAgency (CFIA). Whether or not we (NSO). As incoming president of CSAAC taking over forjoin the NSO, we will continue to Morgan Webb, Id like to offer some thoughts as we forgework with CFIA and its Seed Section ahead. and Seed Science and Technology Section. Well continue our qual-ity seal program and Continuing Education program for our analyst members, plus we will be plugged directly into a larger organization THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC HAS REMINDED USwith members from all corners of our industry. That includes Quebec, ALL THAT WE DONT EXIST IN A VACUUM. where I have lived and worked for over 30 years, currently as qual-ity control manager with Sollio Agriculture (formerly La Coop fdre).The coronavirus pandemic has I believe the NSO would be a great home for ourreminded us all that we dont exist in group of seed analysts. We will be able to amplify oura vacuum. We rely upon one another voice and be heard in the industry more than ever andand are stronger together than apart. get help from the rest of our industry. The problems thatChange is always difficult but leads to arise in the lab affect seed growers and the seed trade inbigger and better things if we choose general. For us to be a formal part of this single organiza- to view it positively and seize the tion will benefit us and the seed growers and businessesopportunities that come our way. we serve.40GERMINATION.CAJULY 2020'