Recent leadership changes at the Canadian Seed Trade Association have positioned the organization to leverage opportunities and tackle challenges in the coming years._x000D_
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Among those changes is the addition of Crosby Devitt, who joined CSTA July 27 as the executive director. Known across the seed sector, from his work at Grain Farmers of Ontario to his participation in many of CSTA’s committees and value chain working groups, Devitt took the reins from Patty Townsend, who retired at the end of July. An experienced and collaborative leader, Devitt is focused on keeping CSTA front and centre as the national voice for Canada’s seed companies, and he has already started to drive CSTA’s priorities forward._x000D_
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Devitt has a B.Sc. in agriculture and a M.Sc. in animal science from the University of Guelph. In 2012, he was awarded the prestigious Nuffield Canada Agricultural Scholarship, where he expanded his knowledge of international business and farming and built networks with agricultural leaders around the world._x000D_
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New Industry Leadership_x000D_
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Meanwhile, Scott Horner of Alberta’s HyTech Production was elected as CSTA’s 64th president during the 92nd Annual Meeting. Horner is a passionate seed industry advocate and has been a member of CSTA’s Board of Directors since 2008. Horner represents CSTA at the Seed Association of the Americas and was past chair of the International Committee and the Hybrid Canola Seed Production Sub-Committee. In this new role, Horner takes over from Dave Baute of Maizex Seeds, who represented the association as UPOV 91 was ratified and passed into law, and also on the pollinator health file. Baute will spend the next year as past-president of the association._x000D_
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Horner has already started to engage the energies of the Board of Directors, members and stakeholders on creating a healthy climate for investment and innovation in the seed industry, and on fostering a favourable regulatory environment that is forward looking and prioritizes members’ needs. These goals cannot be achieved without member support, and Horner encourages each CSTA member to actively participate in the association and lend their creativity and expertise to help capture opportunities across the industry._x000D_
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In addition to Devitt and Horner, two new faces can now be found at the Board of Directors table. Doug Alderman of Pride Seeds and Matt Hynes, the representative from the American Seed Trade Association, were elected to the Board of Directors._x000D_
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Leaving are past-president Peter Entz of Richardson International and ASTA representative Jim Schweigert as their mandates have finished. Entz was first elected to the CSTA Board of Directors in July 2006 and guided the organization as president in 2013-14. He was instrumental in developing CSTA’s position on variety registration. Members also elected Darrell Dziver of BrettYoung to a second term. Readers can meet the 2015-16 Board of Directors at cdnseed.org/contact-list/directors/._x000D_
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Looking Ahead_x000D_
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The Board of Directors is looking ahead — five, 10 and even 15 years. It is strategizing and implementing action plans to capture opportunity, align stakeholder needs, influence the changing regulatory environment and seize opportunities to create impactful change. CSTA will keep you informed as these unfold. Be sure to bookmark www.cdnseed.org and watch this column for updates.
