b'serving on the board of directors and various committeesboth sides of the story will be heard early before wrong is a risk. One of Seeds Canadas goals is building a strong,paths are chosen. In the past, many projects proceeded united voice for Canadas seed industry that successfullybefore concerns were fully understood and I believe that advocates for industry needs and interests. Will growersseed growers will provide important feedback and infor-be considered as part of the industry if the board doesntmation to educate industry partners as to how farmers adequately involve them? needs must be addressed.The fear of increased fees: An increase in the feeWhy Seeds Canada will help us all be better sales-structure of grower members to carry a larger portion ofpeople: Marketing efforts improve as product creation the Seeds Canada operating budget would be detrimen- becomes more effective due to improved communica-tal. If a large portion of growers decide to become clientstions and the value of seed and seed products becomes as opposed to members, the service entry fee portion ofentrenched. In many circles, the gap between plant certification will have to increase to pay for the rest of thebreeder, company, grower, and farmer can lead to mis-organization. alignment of priorities for varietal development. The hope How Seeds Canada can provide value for their moneyis with one entity all these groups will come together to as members: Seeds Canada will need to prove within thework on providing valuable seed solutions.first year that it is providing real value for what is spentHow todays modern seed growers are involved in by grower members on membership. How this is accom- all aspects of the industry: My own operation includes plished is a daunting task as each and every member has aall facets of seed production. This puts me in a posi-different definition of what is real value for their business. tion to understand why its important to proceed with How Seeds Canada will help our industry better con- the amalgamation to create Seeds Canada. I am a seed nect with consumers: Many of us place very little valuegrower, and represent the farm that produces seed by on advocacy and social license, yet these are becomingseeding, caring for, and harvesting the best seed I can increasingly important in todays society and a more uni- grow. My wife runs the seed enterprise, which facilitates fied voice nationally working in conjunction with focusedproduction, roguing, cleaning, grading, logistics, sales and independent regional associations should prove to bemarketing of the seed that my farm grows (as well as the very cost- and results-effective. seed that our many contract growers produce as well). We are not conflicted and confused about asking farm Eric McLean employees to discuss needs that arise with staff that regu-Owner, J.S. Henry & Son late and condition product, because they share construc-Seeds Canada Inaugural Board Candidate tive ideas that make our farm and business the best that Oak River, Man. we can be. We plan, work and develop together.Being a candidate for the inaugural Seeds Canada The communications benefit of Seeds Canada: Openingboard: I plan to work with others to create a cohesive clear and honest communications will provide timeteam with the other board members. I can assure you, savings, ability to converse frankly, and build cohesionthat all of those chosen to be on that first board do not around how everyone is important in the seed system.have failure in mind. There may be troubles, but all direc-Right from grassroots to suits, the industry will evolve totors have the goal of achieving excellence. If everyone this understanding as each entity gets to know each otherkeeps the goal in mind, then the future will be full of and the role they play. possibilities for generations to come. That is continu-Why Seeds Canada will help us better plan for theing the legacy of what the CSGA and CSTA set out to do future: Project development will be enhanced becausemany years ago.10GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2020'