b'The difficulties have been many. Harry says requests for seed in Ukraine came a lot earlier than normal this year.They knew this war was coming. They couldnt clean fast enough, or early enough. So even after the war started, Vladimir was shipping seed. As far back as Feb. 24, we started shipping. We got one container of soybeans out, and then everything got shut down by the shipping lines, Harry says.Labour and fuel remain two big challenges for agri-culture in Ukraine at the moment. The conflict has had reverberations for CanGro in Canada, which was in the process of renewing its five-year agreement with soybean breeders in Ontario through the University of Guelph. OUR SMILES ARE OUR SECRET WEAPON.We have no funds for that at the moment, and we Vladimir Zinchenkocant ask our partners that are struggling in Ukraine for any money. Its a tough situation for everyone right now, especially people in Ukraine and surrounding countries like Poland and Romania, Harry adds.CanGros relationship with Russia has also changed in light of the conflict, Harry notes.Weve been supplying seed to Russian partners for years, and theyre asking for us to grow seed for them now. Weve declined at this point in time. Its grown in Manitoba for them, and we have to buy it outright. Considering the sanctions put in place, I dont think that we will be able toMy daughter will be two years old this month. So, ship to them even next winter. At this point, its the princi- there is a desire to take her out of the most dangerous ple of doing the right thing, Harry says. regions of Ukraine, but our family has no desire to leave We still have their seed for this year, right or wrong,the country, Zinchenko says.and were in the process of moving it in the CanadianWith Ukrainians in survival mode, Harry said CanGro system. But in Ontario, and even in Manitoba, theresstaff and partners in Canada have been emotionally not a lot of demand for 2400 CHU non-GMO soybeans,affected by the conflict and continue to look for ways to unless its a contract-type thing. So, well do what we canhelp.and will be moving ahead with soybean production inYou know, you read some of the stories about the Ontario. hardest-hit regions, people killed and other people living Harry is in constant contact with his growers inin their basements for over a month. How do you do that? Ontario. He says he cant guarantee hell be able take allMany of us here in Canada have never had to experience their seed come harvest, but they are staying the course,anything like this, Harry says.nonetheless. Zinchenko remains optimistic, despite the atrocities Theyve said, Well grow the beans, because we cancommitted by Russia in Ukraine. In a photo he sent to move them into IP contracts down here. Theyll knowSeed World Group in April, a large smile adorns his face before harvest whether its seed or whether its grain.despite the fact hes holding an automatic weapon, ready At this point in time, when you have a co-worker liketo fight at any moment should the need arise.Vladimir carrying a gun defending his country, hardWe will win. We will rebuild everything. Seed pro-choices have to be made. duction will be OK. This year we will plant the seeds that Most of Zinchenkos clients received their seed andwe have, and then we will bring in foundation seed and were able to start spring planting. This applies to therestore everything, he says in his email.Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Cherkasy and western regions ofWhen asked how he can smile in spite of the chal-Ukraine. As for Sumy, Chernigov and southern regions,lenges that surround him, his answer illustrates the they are unable to farm as fighting there has been verystrength and courage of the Ukrainian people.intense, he says. Our smiles are our secret weapon. JULY 2022 GERMINATION.CA 35'