b"MAKING THE CASEFOR COLLABORATIONA number of influential seed growers say now more than ever, our industry's associations are inextricably linked.Marc ZienkiewiczIN JULY,members of the Canadian Seed GrowersSeeds Canada. The Seeds Canada commitment to grand-Association took to the virtual world to hold their 2020father and maintain membership fees is a practical way annual meeting. The highlight was a lengthy discussionto start. I look at the strength, integrity, and experience around Seeds Canada, during which the board of direc- of the new board and I believe they will do their best tors officially endorsed the merger plan to create a singleto run a lean ship and keep membership rates as low as national seed organization. they can. Every association board knows theres strength Although voting results on the merger were not knownin numbers and they do everything they can to maintain as press time, we felt it best to relay why these influentialmembership. Unfairly ratcheting up rates isnt the way to members of the seed grower community feel that comingachieve a strong organization.together is a wise moveand how efficiency is integralAssuming the amalgamation vote is positive, what to our future regardless of what that future looks like. work needs to be done to ensure the historic launch of Seeds Canada is a success? I think one of the challenges Scott Horner that hasnt been addressed is that each association has General Manager, HyTech Production preconceived and often inaccurate notions about the priori-Coaldale, Alta. ties, objectives and responsibilities of the other associa-tions. Predictably each association has an elevated sense of How Seeds Canada will make the industry more importance. Its time we all take a step back and recognize efficient: Today there are five boards, five offices, fivehow hugely interdependent we are on each other. Each AGMs, five accounting audits, legal services, communica- group is an important link in the supply chain and no tions, strategic planning and more overlap. There are verygroup is more important than the other. Industry develops real budget savings that can be invested to align behindnew products; seed growers produce the seed and that key priorities, like regulatory modernization, which willseed is sold by both groups. The Canadian Seed Institute, benefit the entire sector from breeder through to the com- Canadian Plant Technology Agency and the Commercial mercial producer. Coordinating resources will have tangi- Seed Analysts Association of Canada are all critical in driv-ble benefits for all members, streamlining and improvinging the system that results in a producer purchase and all member services. of us getting paid. Its critical at the outset that the new How seed growers can ensure they dont lose theirboard, staff and executive director all have an accurate voice if they are part of Seeds Canada: To me, the solu- understanding of the responsibilities and priorities each of tion is simple: engage and be active. Seed growers arethe individual associations has. Without this knowledge the elephant in the room. There are 10 times more seedthere will be unnecessary conflict at the board table and grower members than all other members combined. Withan inability to achieve Seeds Canadas goals.the one member-one vote structure, seed growers can easily control the agenda of the organizationbut SeedRoy KlymSynergy isnt about control. Its about collaboration andOwner, Condie Seedworking for the good of the seed sector. Im confidentSeeds Canada Inaugural Board Candidateseed growers will see value in Seeds Canada and step upRegina, Sask.as proactive partners in supporting initiatives and ensur-ing seed grower interests are well served. On seed growers losing their voice: A lot of hard work The fear of increased fees: Frankly this is a riskwill have to be done by the Seeds Canada board to regardless of what association you belong to and this riskrecognize the input and important contributions of the exists whether CSGA stands alone or amalgamates intograssroots members. To have suits rather than boots 8GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2020"