b'Bryan HarveyAge: 84Location: SaskatchewanKnown for: Leading withHarvey Voldengactions, not just words Age: 81Location: OntarioBryan Harvey is one of Canadas most legendary plantKnown for: Leading next-gen breeders. According to Wilf Kellerhimself one ofsoybean innovatorsCanadas most renowned crop development scientistsHarveys mentorship style was based on more than words but on concrete actions. In his professional career as an outstanding geneticist and barley breeder, Harvey influenced (and mentored) faculty colleagues as well asHarvey Voldeng worked as a plant breeder for researchers and managers.Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Ottawa, Ont., This influence and associated mentorship was oftenfor 43 years. He was also a research lead for AAFC. exhibited through his tireless commitment in servingHe served as a soybean team leader and the plant in senior (volunteer and unpaid) roles with numerousbreeding and genetics section head and was one of relevant not-for-profit organizations and industry associa- three program chairs at the Ottawa Plant Research tions, Keller says.Centre. To name just a few, these included the Canadian SeedHe was acting director for the centre after a Growers Association, Agricultural Institute of Canada,major budget and staff reduction in 1995 and eased Canadian Agri-Food Research Council, and a number ofthe transition for many staff members, remem-expert committees engaged in varietal recommendation.bers AAFC soybean researcher Elroy Cober, who People impacted (and mentored) by Harvey havewas one of many mentored by Voldeng. Voldeng supported his nomination as a recipient of the Order ofremained section head of Plant Breeding and Canada and Saskatchewan Order of Merit, induction intoGenetics of the Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research both the Canadian and Saskatchewan Agricultural HallCentre until 1999.of Fame, and the award of Honourary Doctor of ScienceWhile primarily a research scientist, Voldeng has from the University of Saskatchewan. sat on advisory committees and mentored a number Bryan was by far the most significant mentor impact- of graduate students from the University of Guelph, ing my career. I was one of six first-year ag students reg- McGill University and Laval University who have istered at what was then the University of Saskatchewangone on to big things. Regina campus. It was necessary for us to transfer toRalph Martin founded the Organic Agriculture Saskatoon for year two in 1966. Bryan recognized that ourCentre of Canada, Nova Scotia and then became group lacked the professional environment that first-yearthe Loblaw Chair in Sustainable Food Production students experienced in Saskatoon, Keller adds.at the University of Guelph. Francois Loiselle was a He took the initiative to meet with each member ofplant breeder with Pioneer/Dupont in Iowa. Gilles the Regina group to discuss advanced courses and careerSaindon was a plant breeder at AAFC Lethbridge opportunities giving real-life examples. This meeting defi- and is now the assistant deputy minister for the nitely influenced my decision to register as a crop scienceScience and Technology Branch at AAFC. Cober student. went on to replace Voldeng as soybean breeder at Now 84, Harvey still serves as an emeritus professorAAFC Ottawa. Voldeng has also been a mentor to at the University of Saskatchewan. After having devel- many young AAFC research scientists in Ottawa, oped more than 60 varieties of barley throughout hisCober notes.prolific 50-year research career, he was inducted into theVoldengs top piece of advice for young plant Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2020. breeders is to do their work with a collaborative I think theres two things that I would stress in regardspirit.to being a successful plant breeder, he says. First of all,Plant breeding has become pretty complicated never stop learning throughout your life. And secondly,compared to what it was when I started out. It helps nourish your network. Thats critical. The chances of ato really cultivate partnerships with other breeders loner making a success of things in this day and age areand companies in the space, he says.pretty small; you really need to work as part of a team, and thats your network.14GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2022'