b'FROM THEtractor seat to the boardroom, Barry Senft isThats what weve done with Seeds Canada. Were cre-rejoining the corporate world as executive director ofating a brand-new culture of collaboration, he continues. Seeds Canada. That involves respecting the contribution that each After ending his years-long career with Grain Farmersof our legacy organizations have made, but that said, you of Ontario this past year, Senft said he wanted to wait[still need to] turn the page and move forward toward a for the right opportunity to get back into the workforce.common goal. Our members all made the wise choice to While some people might say he came out of retirementget in on the ground floor. The elevator has nowhere now for the Seeds Canada job, the Lipton, Sask., farmer saysto go but up.thats not really the case.However, there are more challenges still for Senft, and In addition to leading Seeds Canada, Senft farmshes ready to take a seat at the table when it comes to with his brother and son on their fourth-generation farmshaping the seed regulatory environment.where they grow spring wheat, canola, barley, pea and oat. He knows first-hand what challenges farmers endure, because he is one.I dont know that I ever really retired, because I am working daily here on the family farm, says the 64-year-old former executive director of the Canadian International Grains Institute, who was also chief com- OUR MEMBERS ALL MADE THE WISE CHOICE TO missioner for the Canadian Grain Commission and second vice-president of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. But fromGET IN ON THE GROUND FLOOR. THE ELEVATOR a formal engagement-with-the-industry standpoint, I guess you could say Im coming back into it. HAS NOWHERE NOW TO GO BUT UP.Farming is not easy, and Senft says that inherent chal-Barry Senftlenge is why we now have Seeds Canada, the countrys new national seed organization, formed last year when four long-standing industry associations amalgamated. As he watched the development of Seeds Canada as the legacy organizations worked to come together, he thought it would be the perfect organization to begin the next phase of his career. He has experience with this, including overseeing theThe world isnt getting any less complex. Since merger of three organizations to form GFOthe OntarioI started to get involved in the farm again, seed has Corn Producers Association, Ontario Soybean Growersadvanced a great deal. Progress made in seed devel-and Ontario Wheat Producers Marketing Board. opment has helped keep farming viable. We need to Seeds Canada is the future of the seed industry, andcouple that with a regulatory environment conducive when you are in the stage of your career that Im at, youto innovation, he says, alluding to the Seed Regulatory want to be part of something new and significantandModernization initiative currently underway. I think I have something to offer, Senft says. You wantOverhauling the seed regulatory framework wont be to help create the future, not look back on the past. Seedseasy, according to Senft. The key is developing a diverse Canada will be the go-to organization to represent theand inclusive seed sector-led and government-enabled seed industry, and were going to have a lot of peoplepartnership that works properly for all stakeholders. looking to us for guidance. Throughout the consultations, Seeds Canada will be That includes investors, a priority for Senft, who heat the table to advocate for regulations that foster innova-says need to know the Canadian seed sector is open fortion, growth, and support continuous improvement. business.Business has changed, and people have to put their Changes within our industry are coming to a headmoney where they think the biggest return is going to right now and we need to ensure we do things properly,come from. If Canadas regulatory environment doesnt because those investors wont wait for Canada to get itssupport that, it doesnt do our industry any good at all. house in order. One of my priorities is working with government to At the end of the day, its value for money that makesensure the progression of seed development continues in all the difference in forming Seeds Canada, Senft says. Toan open fashion and that farmers have access to that seed get that value, everyone needs to be in the same room.and remain competitive. JULY 2021 GERMINATION.CA 39'