b"A NEW TOOL HELPING YOU IN THE REALM OF RETAIL SEED SALES.THERES VALUE IN BEING AROUND THE TABLEThree Seeds Canada board members talk about why the new national organization can help bolster your business.Marc ZienkiewiczSeeds Canada celebrated its big day on Feb. 1ing organizations. This will ensure con-with the official launch of Seeds Canada, ourtinuity and uninterrupted flow of service new national seed organization. What is yourofferings moving forward. There are three mandate? types of services under Seeds Canada: Seeds Canada will be the leading voicemember-based services are exclusive to Ellen Sparry of the Canadian seed sector, helping ourmembers of Seeds Canada and include Seeds Canada President/ members succeed and grow in Canadaitems such as communications, regula-C&M Seeds General Manager and around the world. Bringing the fourtory affairs, professional development, Ellen joined C&M Seeds innational seed associations together willprogramming and advocacy. Client-based 1994 as genetics managerresult in a stronger lobbying voice for theservices are associated with seed indus-for the company's researchseed sector and enhanced services fortry regulation and operations. Examples and development program.members and clients. As Seeds Canada weare Registered Seed Establishment (RSE) A graduate of the Ontario Agwill come together to accomplish thingsaccreditation and training for seed qual-College, University of Guelph,that we could never have done separately.ity assurance activities and non-seed she has 30 years experienceservices such as organic certification. in the ag industry.As we all know, the Canadian Seed GrowersThese services will be provided on a cost Association (CSGA) voted no to becoming arecovery basis, paid for by the user. We part of the new organization. Are seed grow- also have corporate services including ers being encouraged to join, and how doeshuman resources, financial services, board that work? governance and IM/IT. The amalgamation We would certainly encourage our seedof services across the value chain under grower partners to join Seeds Canada.the Seeds Canada umbrella will provide Seed growers play an integral role in thegreater ease and simplicity in accessing a seed system, and Seeds Canada needswide array of services by members.their involvement to succeed. Membership is voluntary and offered in three classes What does the staff makeup look like?business class, affiliate class and profes- Weve brought the staff of all the four sional class. Membership fees for existingamalgamating organizations with us. members of the four organizations will beThe search for the executive director is transferred into Seeds Canada and will notcurrently underway. We will be head-increase. New members will be requiredquartered in Ottawa, Ont., with one to apply for membership and pay a fee asoffice for all functional groups to support set by the board of directors. The boardintegration, and there is an option for of directors has also been tasked to do aremote work to include any Seeds Canada full fee review and to have that completedemployees that are outside of the Ottawa before Feb. 1 of 2022.area. Seeds Canada may enter into memo-randums of understanding with other What are the basic service offerings? associations as required to support shared Seeds Canada will continue to offer allconcerns. original services of each of the four found-44GERMINATION.CAMARCH 2021"