The Canadian Seed Growers’ Association is exploring expanded membership in an effort to build a what it calls a more inclusive certification system.
They say you sometimes need to look to the past to move forward. For the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA), this means exploring the reintroduction of affiliate and associate membership classes. The initiative aims to increase stakeholder agreement, fulfil its CSGA 2.0 business plan, and advance its Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) vision, the organization says.
At the Manitoba Seed Growers’ Association (MSGA) SeedLink Conference held in Brandon, Man., last month, CSGA executive director Doug Miller spoke to attendees and emphasized the what he said is the central question guiding CSGA’s vision for its current members: “How do we build a more diverse and inclusive seed certification system?”
As outlined in CSGA’s bylaws, a current regular member is considered any person, partnership, or organization producing or undertaking to produce pedigreed seed and provides such rights as attending member-to-member sessions, submitting proposals and voting at CSGA meetings. It should be noted that many seed companies, including the major life science companies, are already considered CSGA members.
Previously, CSGA had versions of affiliate and associate members. However, in 2013, a bylaw change was passed to have only a single membership class (Regular Member) based on new requirements under the Canadian Not-For-Profit Corporations Act. The discussion on CSGA memberships reflects an evolution toward a more open and inclusive system, according to Miller.
“We’re proposing a conversation about reintroducing affiliate and associate membership classes,” Miller said. “This initiative aligns with our CSGA 2.0 business plan released in April 2021 and our SRM vision, emphasizing building a more open and inclusive seed certification system.”
The first proposed class, affiliate membership, mirrors the regular CSGA membership but caters to those supporting seed production. This includes seed growers and plant breeders who are inactive but wish to maintain CSGA membership, seed analysts, crop inspectors and seed companies not actively producing breeder or hybrid crops. Proposed rights for this class include attending member sessions, submitting proposals, voting on relevant CSGA topics and the potential for board representation.
The second proposed class, associate membership, targets associations involved in or interested in pedigreed seed production. This encompasses seed sector associations, national and provincial producer associations and international organizations. Like affiliate membership, rights include attending sessions and submitting proposals but without board representation.
Miller emphasized that at this time, CSGA is simply starting a discussion with members to see if reintroducing the two membership classes makes sense. If feedback from members is positive, CSGA will take the idea into a formal proposal stage.
The association anticipates continuing the conversation at upcoming branch annual meetings over the winter and into the spring of 2024.
If CSGA sees alignment, the proposal will undergo public consultation, like how CSGA handles standards changes. If there is support through the consultation, it would be brought forward as a bylaw revision for a membership vote at a special generation meeting. Miller said that the overarching goal is to shape a future seed certification system that is transparent, inclusive, and reflective of the evolving needs of the seed sector.
“CSGA aims to lead the way in building a community that embraces diversity and ensures that all stakeholders, regardless of their role in the seed certification value chain, have a voice in shaping the future of the sector,” Miller added.
Eric McLean, former MSGA president and a former national director on the CSGA board, says he agrees with CSGA, emphasizing achieving full participation, diversity, and inclusion within the CSGA and the MSGA and other provincial associations. McLean currently sits on the board of Seeds Canada.
“This is long overdue. It’s time to bring all the key players back into the room. The departure of industry players has left a void that needs to be filled. Those key players are not just participants but our essential business partners. They are the ones supporting us with invaluable products and services, facilitating the advancement of our businesses,” he said.
“These are the same people attending insightful sessions with great speakers and gaining diverse perspectives through their global travels. The wealth of experience and expertise they bring is something every organization, including the CSGA, would benefit from to guide their decisions effectively.”
McLean said the fear of potentially overwhelming the voices of traditional seed growers should not be a deterrent, as the democratic nature of the CSGA and provincial seed grower association boards ensures that every representative, regardless of their background, has a voice.
Attracting New Participants
The idea to add the two new membership classes comes at a time when not only is CSGA looking to develop what is calls an inclusive next-generation seed certification, but its provincial branches are also attempting to get more people into the room by refreshing their annual meetings.
The MSGA enjoyed a healthy crowd for SeedLink. It was a two-day collaborative effort with Canterra Seeds, FP Genetics, Alliance Seed and SeCan.
“SeedLink arose from feedback received from association members over the past few years. The primary focus has been on enhancing member engagement and introducing fresh perspectives to the industry,” MSGA President A.J. Armstrong said.
He said that the decision to co-host SeedLink with industry partners is rooted in the desire to streamline events and bring all stakeholders to one central hub, reducing the need for multiple city visits. Armstrong highlighted the importance of featuring engaging speakers and unique topics to make the event more interactive and informative.
While the main event spanned two days, there was an additional focus on young seed growers on the preceding day. In collaboration with SeCan, a mentorship event took place, offering seed growers under 30 an opportunity to visit seed facilities and build valuable relationships within the industry.
The Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association (SaskSeed) is also breathing new life into its annual meeting, scheduled for Jan. 10, by switching locations. Held for years at the Saskatoon Inn near the airport, the event will now be held downtown at Teachers Credit Union Place.
The decision to move its meeting from its familiar venue to a downtown location is aimed at offering members more freedom and a change of scenery outside of meeting hours, according to SaskSeed President Kurt Printz. The shift also seeks to attract a bigger crowd, tapping into the downtown’s vibrant dining and social opportunities.
“The goal is to inject some fresh energy into the proceedings while still paying homage to the heritage of our meetings. It’s about blending excitement with respect for our established traditions, ensuring that the change doesn’t compromise the essence of what makes our AGMs special,” he said.
