As the latest addition to the Canadian Seed Trade Association, Crosby Devitt leads with collaboration and innovation top of mind.
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In July, the Canadian Seed Trade Association appointed Crosby Devitt as the organization’s new executive director. Coming from the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), Devitt says he is proud to continue working for an industry that he is passionate about. GFO is a member of CSTA, and as a result Devitt has been an active participant within the association for a number of years, attending meetings and contributing to committees and working groups._x000D_
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As a member of executive director search committee, Scott Horner, CSTA president and general manager of HyTech Production Ltd., is excited to have Devitt join the CSTA team._x000D_
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“His previous position as vice-president of strategic development at GFO gave him excellent experience and helped prepare him for the role of executive director, with skills and knowledge that can be directly applied here,” Horner says. “Crosby is knowledgeable about the issues important to our industry, as he’s participated in variety registration discussions, regulatory modernization and funding innovation._x000D_
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“This familiarity with both the association and our issues will allow him to pick up where Patty Townsend left off without missing a beat.”_x000D_
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Dealing with issues such as variety registration, regulatory modernization and funding innovation requires one to be able to step back and look at the whole picture. Over time, Devitt has actively honed this skill through a number experiences._x000D_
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One such experience came when he was awarded the prestigious Nuffield Ag Scholarship in 2012, which allowed Devitt to take a six-week global ag discovery tour across four continents and eight countries. During this time, he studied different research and development funding models._x000D_
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“It was an amazing experience that provided a broad perspective of research and the global nature of agriculture,” Devitt says._x000D_
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The Big Picture_x000D_
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The seed industry is increasingly global in nature, and Devitt says he looks forward to working closely with the Seed Association of the Americas and the International Seed Federation to advance the industry’s priority issues._x000D_
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A few of these issues include asynchronous approvals of biotech traits, low-level presence, phytosanitary requirements, the regulation of new plant breeding techniques and the preservation of genetic diversity. As one can see, there’s no shortage of issues that need attention._x000D_
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One recent development that put the international spotlight on Canada was the passing of Bill C-18, which brought the nation’s Plant Breeders’ Rights Act into compliance with the 1991 Convention of the Internationa Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV 91). As a result producers are now expected to have increased access to new varieties, new trade opportunities have been created, the regulatory red tape has been reduced._x000D_
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Devitt says that the adoption of UPOV 91 sets the stage to attract new investment in Canada’s seed industry._x000D_
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“The government and seed industry have brought forward a landmark act that gives companies confidence in our regulations and ensures the rights of those in the industry to continue and expand their work,” Devitt says, adding that while much progress has been made more is needed._x000D_
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But Devitt knows that neither he nor the association can move the needle alone._x000D_
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Collaboration Is Key_x000D_
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The key to moving both national and international policies and positions forward has been a concerted effort on developing partnerships and looking for new opportunities to collaborate._x000D_
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Horner says this is another characteristic Devitt possesses that will help him succeed as CSTA’s executive director._x000D_
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“His open attitude, ability to clearly communicate and experience in collaborating with others will open new doors,” Horner says. “At GFO, Crosby was part of the team that developed the strategic plan to combine corn, wheat and soybean research management and investment and was a leader in forming the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance._x000D_
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“CSTA strives to be a very collaborative association, as we’ve shown in the past through our participation in the Partners in Innovation and industry initiative on alfalfa coexistence planning. We believe that through effective collaboration, great strides can be made.”_x000D_
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Regardless of whether it’s at home in Canada or overseas, Devitt believes companies, large and small, deserve open access to trade seed and conduct business._x000D_
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“Canada is on the right track, but it’s more important than ever for our members to stay engaged and participate at all levels of the association,” Devitt says. “I am excited to work with our members, who offer much knowledge and are experts in their fields, to further the presence of CSTA domestically and internationally.”_x000D_
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Firsthand Experience_x000D_
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Another positive attribute of Devitt’s is his farm background, Horner adds. Devitt remains active in his family’s farm and knows firsthand the highs and lows of production agriculture._x000D_
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“Helping run the family farm gives Crosby unique insight and perspective on the seed industry and the job our members have in supplying high quality seed to customers,” Horner says.
