b'SEED GROWER GROUPS ADDRESS THE SEEDS CANADA QUESTIONProvincial associations are taking different approaches in how to acknowledge our new national organization.Marc ZienkiewiczAFTER THE CANADIANSeed GrowersAssociation has been a longstand- Seed Growers Association voted no Association (CSGA) voted no last falling member of the Canadian Seedlast year to amalgamating with the to merging with the seed industrysTrade Association, and whereasseed industrys four other dedicated other associations to form the newmuch common ground is shared withseed associations to form Seeds national organization Seeds Canada,our industry partners represented byCanada.speculation began on how provincialSeeds Canada, and whereas there isSeeds Canada went live on Feb. 1, seed grower groups would respond. a benefit for the SSGA to be in the2021, without the participation of theAt their various annual gen- same room and participate in the dis- CSGA, which remains a separate eral meetings held over the wintercussions, decisions, and direction oforganization.of 2021, that question is beingSeeds Canada, be it resolved that theWe need to continue to reassess answered. SSGA apply to become an affiliateour position going forward and not In January, the Saskatchewan Seedmembers of Seeds Canada. forget that there is a new national Growers Association (SSGA) votedThe resolution was ultimatelyseed organization in play here, down a resolution recommending thevoted down after some membersShewchuk said in a follow-up inter-organization join Seeds Canada as anexpressed concern that joiningview after the SSGA meeting. I think affiliate member. Seeds Canada could be viewed asit was important to put that forward The resolution, supported byan endorsement of the new nationalto our membership. We needed incoming SSGA president Mikeseed organization, especially afterto clear some of the air and know Shewchuk, stated that whereasmembers of theexactly what our membership is the Saskatchewan Seed GrowersCanadianfeeling at this point.20GERMINATION.CAMARCH 2021'