Kids’ program to be hosted at WildPlay Adventure Park in Victoria.
The Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) annual general meeting (AGM) has always been a family-friendly event. As usual, the entire family is invited to come out to CSGA AGM being held in Victoria, B.C. this July. Everyone can enjoy an optional Thursday adventure tour, SeCan’s Friday Family Fun Night, the companion or children’s program AND celebrate with family at the Saturday evening Awards Gala.
But this year, two dedicated seed growers, Carl Bolton and Roy Klym are also sponsoring the Children’s program, helping to reduce registration costs, making it easier for families to attend.
“When Carl saw the opportunity to support the children’s program, he reached out to me to see if I’d be interested in splitting it 50/50 with the Bolton family,” says Klym, a CSGA board member and seed grower from Regina, Sask. “It was an easy yes—we’re happy to help make the event more welcoming for families.”
“We both believe in promoting youth within the organization,” says Klym. “And this is a great way to do that.”
For both Bolton and Klym, the value of the children’s program goes far beyond logistics. It’s about relationships — between kids, families, and the seed sector itself.
“Some of the friendships kids make at these events will probably last a lifetime,” Klym says. “We always talk about networking for ourselves, but it’s just as important for our families. This is a family industry and giving kids that early opportunity to connect with others just like them — that’s huge.”
Bolton, who grows seed in Dublin, Ont., and is also a CSGA board member, agrees. “We brought our own kids to CSGA meetings when they were young—early teens or even earlier—and they really enjoyed it,” he says. “They’re all in their 30s now, but those memories stuck. I’m a big believer that they’re our future, and this is an opportunity for the kids to meet people from across the country. All the kids have something in common: they’re farmers, they’re seed growers. That’s the kind of connection you can’t get through a book or the internet.”
Kids attending the 2025 CSGA meeting in Victoria — which takes place July 3-5 — will want to get ready for a wild ride. On July 4, kids aged 5 to 15 will spend the day at WildPlay Adventure Park, billed as Victoria’s ultimate outdoor playground. With transportation included, this full-day adventure gives young thrill-seekers the chance to tackle the Classic Course, featuring everything from wobbly bridges and rope swings to ziplines and cargo nets. It’s the kind of day that guarantees tired legs, big smiles, and stories they’ll be telling all year long.
But the real showstopper? The “What’s to Fear” jump — a heart-pounding, 40-foot plunge that’s as safe as it is unforgettable. Tethered in and cheered on by new friends, kids will push their limits, conquer their fears, and maybe even discover their inner superhero. This isn’t just a day at the park — it’s a confidence-building, friendship-making, adrenaline-pumping experience they’ll never forget.
And Bolton and Klym are helping make it happen.
Bolton’s roots in seed growing run deep — he’s a third generation Select grower whose grandfather started cleaning seed in the 1920s. He still farms on his family’s original homestead that was built in the 1850s. With over 50 years in the seed sector himself, he knows how important it is to foster the next generation.
“There’s nothing better than meeting people in person,” he says. “The CSGA in-person meeting is something special. It’s not just a meeting you’re in and out of. It’s a family event, and that makes all the difference.”
While Klym and his wife Lois didn’t bring their own kids to CSGA meetings — he was a latecomer to the seed industry, he explains, having grown his first seed crop in 1999 — he sees the value of family participation clearly now.
“You can always see the importance of things when you take a step back and really look around at these meetings,” he says. “We maybe take all the credit while we’re there, but we all have support staff—and that support staff is our spouses and our families. They’re just as important to support as the growers themselves.”
With this summer’s meeting set for Victoria, both growers are looking forward to what’s shaping up to be a standout event—and to seeing the kids experience the same sense of belonging that’s made the seed sector a home for them for decades.
“It’s a great opportunity all around,” says Bolton. “And sponsoring the kids’ program? It’s just the right thing to do.”
For info on registering for the 2025 CSGA meeting visit seedgrowers.ca/csga-2025-agm.
