b'The Alberta Seed Growers (ASG), who held their annual general meet-ing just days after the SSGA event, passed a resolution stating that ASG will have no formal ties to Seeds Canada. However, ASG members have placed an expectation on the national CSGA office to engage with Seeds Canada, according to ASG Executive Director Kelly Chambers.If there is Seeds Canada infor-mation that our members should be informed of, it should come from CSGA. Our branch should focus instead on regional issues and con-cerns, Chambers said in an e-mail.ASG Past-President Renee HoymeShannon Bieman is president of the OntarioRenee Hoyme is past-president of the Alberta noted that prior to the formation ofSeed Growers Association. Seed Growers.Seeds Canada, ASG had a member-ship in the Canadian Seed TradeWhat I would suggest seed growersgrowers recognize the importance Association (CSTA), one of the Seedscontinue to look at is actively gettingof working together to make a better Canada amalgamating partners. Shememberships in Seeds Canada, toindustry, Bieman said.said that ASG members did not feelensure that in that new united organ- We want to do whats best for taking out an affiliate membershipization Alberta seed growers have aour membership, and if that means with Seeds Canada was in the bestvoice representing their interests andultimately becoming a Seeds Canada interests of Alberta seed growers. concerns, Sekulic said. member down the road, then thats I think the reasoning behind thewhat we will pursue. But at this time, resolution spoke more towards whoOpen Doors weve decided to simply leave the the voice for the seed growers inWhile ASG and the SSGA made cleardoor open and keep that communica-Alberta should be. Our membershipthey do not want to have formaltion going.believes that if we become affiliateties to Seeds Canada, other seedManitoba Seed Growers members with Seeds Canada, thegrower groups are taking a differentAssociation (MSGA) members have waters might be muddied consideringapproach. taken a similar approach and are call-CSGA voted no to the amalgamationAt their virtual annual meetinging on the CSGA to develop a formal in 2020. Our members want to bein February, Ontario Seed GrowersMemorandum of Understanding with clear on where seed growers stand. Association (OSGA) members passedSeeds Canada that the MSGA hopes Alberta seed grower Nick Sekulic,a resolution calling on the organiza- will outline the roles and responsibili-who sits on the inaugural board oftion to continue its collaborative workties of each entity.Seeds Canada, supported the ASGwith all of our industry partners andMarcel Gousseau, an MSGA resolution but encouraged Albertamonitor the organizational establish- board member who put the resolu-seed growers to get involved inment of Seeds Canada to join as antion forward along with fellow board Seeds Canada by becoming membersaffiliate member of the organization. member A.J. Armstrong, said the themselves. Shannon Bieman, OSGA presi- resolution is intended to recognize He noted that many seed grow- dent, says the resolution is intendedthe CSGAs decisive vote on amal-ers will be clients of Seeds Canadato keep communication opengamation last fall, while helping seed because they utilize the services pro- between the OSGA and Seedsgrowers to move forward and work vided by the Canadian Seed Institute,Canada. directly with Seeds Canada.one of the Seeds Canada amalgamat- What we were trying to getWe believe its important to ing partners. across with that resolution was toestablish the roles and responsibili-Whether they become membersoffer the opportunity to encourageties of both CSGA and Seeds Canada, or not, seed growers will be involvedopen communication and transpar- especially as we head into regula-with Seeds Canada. I see importantency, and work with Seeds Canadatory modernization discussions, value in what Seeds Canada will do.as much as we can. Ontario seedGousseau said. 22GERMINATION.CAMARCH 2021'