b'PARTNER CONTENTSEED ANALYSTS ARE TAKINGTHEIR WORK OUTSIDE THE LABIf you listen to AM radio, you might recognize Morgan Webbs voice. Getting behind the mic is just one of the ways Seed Check staff are getting out into the wider community.Marc ZienkiewiczWHEN HE FIRSTstarted Seed Check Technologies, Morgan Webb didnt have a paycheque as he worked to build his business from the bottom up. I did other jobs that someone with plant identification skills could do. I worked part time at Greenland Garden Centre and someone there said, You have way too much knowl-edge not to share it, would you be a host on our radio show? says Webb, senior seed analyst at Seed Check, based in Leduc, Alta.When I was young, I was so nervous I wouldnt speak. To find myself doing a radio show took a lot of courage. It really changes the wayA recent field trip to the University of Alberta Botanical Gardens allowed staff to get out of the lab you think about yourself as a quiet,and see the new Aga Khan Garden.shy person. Seed analysts tend to be introverts, so to go on the air wasConstruction of the new Aga KhanThese plants were here hundreds of definitely different for me. Garden was completed in June ofyears ago before any of us showed Webb still serves as a host on The2018. The 4.8-hectare Mughal-inspiredup, Webb says. Garden Show on 630 CHED AM radiogarden features secluded forest paths,A new craze in gardening is to in Edmonton. A few Sunday morningsgranite and limestone terraces, stillgrow many of these species as orna-every month he gets behind the micpools that reflect the Prairie sky,mentals, and thats because the best and offers listeners advice from anwaterfalls and streams. Fruit orchardsplants to grow in Prairie gardens are expert. extend around the large Calla Pond,the ones native to the Prairie region, Other than offering advice onand the garden contains more thanWebb says. working with garden seed, I get to25,000 trees, shrubs, perennials, annu- Seeing native species up-close and tell people how hard farmers work toals and wetland plants.personal helped Seed Check staff to produce seed, like reclamation speciesAs well as being a site for researchexamine these plants in a way they for native prairie habitat, for example.projects, the Botanic Garden alsodont get to inside of a lab, where It gives me a better perspective inprovides support for research activi- they work with the seed and not the the lab to have that outreach with theties, including plant trial evaluationsplant itself.wider community and helps me advo- for the horticulture industry; shar- Seed analysis has to be done cate for our industry at the same time. ing of plant materials to supportby someone who can concentrate, That outreach is something Seedresearch activities in other botanicmaintain a high level of knowledge Check staff are doing with increas- gardens around the world; Canolaand make decisions fast. Thats why ing frequency. A recent field trip toCouncil of Canada research activi- introverts like me make good ana-the University of Alberta Botanicalties; and Alberta Canola Producerslysts. That said, getting out of the lab Gardens allowed staff to get out ofCommission activities. and venturing out into our commu-the lab and see the new Aga KhanTheyre using for this gardennity and seeing these plants up close Garden, where a lot of native seedmany of the native plants we testreally helps us to do our job even species they test in a lab setting on afor customers who are planting seedmore effectively, Webb adds.regular basis grow.to reclaim native prairie in Canada.For info visit seedcheck.net NOVEMBER 2020 GERMINATION.CA 27'