As you know, this year’s Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) annual general meeting was held virtually. It was the first time we’ve held our AGM over the internet. We’re now planning for our semi-annual meeting, which will be held in a virtual format due to ongoing concerns about live events in light of the pandemic.
I’m pleased to say we will be honouring two very important people — our 2020 Seed Achievement Award winner Scott Horner and Honorary Life Membership awardee Kofi Agblor.
Scott is general manager of HyTech Production in Coaldale, Alta. He’s been a longtime contributor to the CSTA and to the seed sector in Canada. He is a wealth of information on seed production and marketing; an astute manager and expert on governance and policy development; and a calm voice of reason and compromise who is not afraid to deal with difficult issues and to bring diverse interests together around common interests, notes former CSTA chief executive Patty Townsend.
He is an active participant in the Oilseeds, Pulses and Western Cereals Committee. He chaired the Hybrid Canola Sub-Committee where significant progress has been made around canola varietal purity, and around issues facing the contra-seasonal production of canola seed. To those who know him, he is a champion for parent seed production companies and their efforts to secure skilled labour through the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program.
Scott’s knowledge and participation at the international level extends to work at the International Seed Federation and to a strong leadership role with the Seed Association of the Americas (SAA). His experience as a leader led him to the CSTA board of directors in 2008. He became president
in July 2015 — a pivotal year during which the Seed Synergy project began in earnest.
“Scott has been a strong contributor to the SAA working groups on phytosanitary issues and seed treatment. As part of that working group, Scott has helped to represent the interests of all the countries of the Americas in processes to develop harmonized guidelines in order to facilitate the trade of seed,” says Diego Risso, executive director of the SAA. “His consistent participation has benefitted Canada and the other countries in the Americas.”
Kofi Agblor joined Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) as managing director in 2012 until his departure in January 2020. He is currently a strategic adviser based in Edmonton.
“During [his time at the CDC] we learned of — and began to appreciate — Kofi’s passion for driving innovation and challenging the status quo. He has a been a tireless advocate for the university, the Crop Development Centre, the research programs and his staff,” says Todd Hyra, western business manager for SeCan.
Kofi has been a regular attendee at CSTA meetings since his appointment to the CDC. He could be counted on to provide his expertise and global experience in CSTA committee meetings and other CSTA events.
Beyond his role as the CDC managing director, he supports industrial and agricultural development at a global level, including hosting international delegates of UPOV from developing countries, as well as attending the UNFAO to promote UPOV and plant breeding to developing countries.
We look forward to honouring both Scott and Kofi at our semi-annual, at which time we’ll also award our 2020 Plant Breeding & Genetics Award winner Rob Graf who you read about back in January. We’ll also announce the 2020-2021 Canadian Plant Breeding Innovation (CPBI) award and scholarship winners.
Stay tuned to this space for updates.
