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NEWS BITES THAT MATTER
Cribit Seeds hosts 25th anniversary celebrations
In July, Cribit Seeds celebrated its 25th anniversary alongside the Waterloo Soil and Crop Improvement Association’s (WSCIA) first anniversary by hosting an open house. Nearly 300 people came out to show their support for this family-run seed farm.
After dinner, attendees participated in plot tours discussing different trials of corn, soybeans, oats, and barley from Dekalb, WSCIA, and SeCan. Following the plot tours, a lively panel discussion took place featuring Terry Daynard, retired crop science professor at the University of Guelph, Peter Johnson, cereal specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Henry Van Ankum, chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario.
“It was a privilege to host an evening to say thank you to the community that has supported us over the past 25 years, and listen to a lively panel discussion on the past, present, and future state of Ontario grain production,” says Quentin Martin, president of Cribit Seeds.
As an expression of their thanks, Cribit Seeds donated $25,000 worth of product and cash during 2014 to 15 local organizations. During the open house, donations were presented to Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), an organization dedicated to creating business solutions for poverty, and the Kenyan Kids Foundation, a program to finance education in Kenya. •
Dave Baute elected 63rd president of the CSTA
Dave Baute, the owner and president of Maizex Seeds in Tilbury, Ontario has been elected to serve as the 2014-15 president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA). Baute was elected at CSTA’s 91st Annual Meeting in Banff, Alberta in July.
In his acceptance speech, Baute stressed the importance of working with all value chain partners. He foresees a challenging era for innovative agriculture, and he called on the association and the agriculture industry to come together to support modern agriculture as a steward of health, safety and the environment.
“We need to take a proactive approach to bring this entire industry together with a unified voice and a profound positive message. A mostly uninformed public is beginning to speak out with an emotional, almost fearful, cry. We need to listen, and we need to address it together. CSTA’s strength is in its diverse, but committed membership,” said Baute. “I am looking forward to working with all of the members and with CSTA’s talented and engaged Board of Directors to strive towards our mission: to foster seed industry innovation and trade.” •
CYSA welcomes John Deere platinum sponsorship
Organizers of the 30th annual Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture (CYSA) competition are pleased to add John Deere Canada to their list of valued sponsors for 2014.
John Deere Canada has once again committed to be a platinum sponsor in 2014 with their generous support going towards assisting with accommodation costs for participants from each provincial jurisdiction. The CYSA accommodation program houses up to 60 participants from across Canada.
“CYSA plays an important role in raising awareness of the agriculture industry across Canada. The speaking skills that the participants in the CYSA competition hold, set them up to be the future leaders in agriculture. We’re excited to support these young individuals who are passionate about the Canadian agriculture industry,” Jan Kennema, advertising and promotions supervisor for John Deere Canada.
Participants in two age categories from 11-24 years old will prepare and present five to seven minute speeches in English or French. This year’s competition takes place Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario.
Visit www.cysa-joca.ca for more information. •
