Four years ago, I relocated to follow my dreams of making a difference as a chemist in agriculture. But what was I thinking?
Instead of joining a big company with expansive financial benefits, I accepted the challenge from a small company called Kannar Earth Science, Ltd… to undertake the creative and seemingly impossible in rudimentary, start-up working conditions. Upon joining, I found myself not in a fancy lab with all the bells & whistles and fancy snacks, but in a warehouse surrounded by bare walls and on concrete floors. Indeed, the calling was to see beyond the challenges of a self-funded start-up; to see and believe in global adoption of solutions that make a real difference in agriculture and our environment.
Those early days, and even still today, were about following the heart first. At Kannar, our hearts accompany clear thinking and bold beliefs. In our minds we know that sustainability in agriculture is a noble goal that can be overwhelming given the demand for food, feed, and fiber. In our hearts, we believe in making impactful changes one positive innovation at a time. Combining our heartfelt belief with determination and perseverance, our technologies not only replace toxic crop inputs, but also further enhance even wholesome solutions.
Since my early days at Kannar, my dreams have expanded and I’m grateful that many of my career and life ambitions are in fact being fulfilled. As Seed Lab Manager, I develop and enhance agricultural technologies. This includes improving upon technologies already available as well as developing alternative solutions. The goal is to make small, incremental improvements for efficacy and environmental stewardship.
To help achieve this, our team’s most common question is: ‘What if?’. What if we formulated this product as a liquid? What if we made it a powder? What if we mixed it this way or coated it that way? What if we applied it at a different time or alongside another technology it’s not typically paired with? What if we simplify our idea to make it easier for growers to incorporate? Maintaining an open mind and constantly striving for improvement keeps me and my team engaged, passionate and pushing forward.
For us, one area always in need of attention is crop establishment. The more uniform and stronger a crop’s emergence, the more chance each seed has of realising its genetic yield potential. We’re proud to have achieved significant steps forward with cutting edge agricultural inputs that minimize negative environmental impact. We are excitedly anticipating the introduction of additional technologies in the very near future. Imagine the possibilities!
Oh, and one last observation. We do, in fact, now have amazing snacks and a beautiful compilation of laboratories. Come and visit!
Heather Lewis is the Seed Lab Manager at Kannar Earth Science, Ltd. In addition to her role as a Scientist, she leads the Health and Safety Committee as well as the Team Building Committee at Kannar. She hopes to make a lasting positive impact.
