34 GERMINATION.CA JULY 2017 tors to [speaking] with politicians, provincial legislators, grower groups and to an early extent, even the general public. Dorothy was at the centre of this change in direction,” he says. And like the character in Baum’s story, Cowan says she landed in a place that was experiencing many challenges and she met some very interesting characters along the way — and took them on a journey that helped them improve themselves. “She had a goal of bringing the industry together; to make it a better place, to make it more inclusive and a place where people/groups became better listeners and were more understanding of other opinions and industry needs. Dorothy was one of the calm, patient voices that pointed out that there was not a one-size-fits- all answer for each seed crop.” Murrell’s career in the seed industry spanned many crops. She started in the forage seed industry, then became involved in canola, and then entered the cereals side of the business with the Crop Development Centre in Saskatoon. She is now project director for the University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence. “What I remember the most about [the time of her CSTA involvement] was Dorothy’s desire to make CSTA the ‘go-to’ organization for input on industry decisions,” says Neil Arbuckle, Monsanto Canada’s national sales lead. “She too wanted to see the see the CSTA morph from a reactive organization to one that got in front of issues and took proactive steps to head major issues off at the pass.” From the Farm to the Seed Business Receiving the Seed Achievement Award is former CSTA president Stephen Denys. Raised on a field and vegetable farm near Chatham, Ont., he continues to operate his family farm where he grows corn, soybeans, white beans and wheat. He has become well known as a leader of the seed sector and in agriculture in Ontario and across the country. He began his career in the crop protection sector, and then as a strategic marketing consultant before joining Pride Seeds in Ontario as vice-president, sales and marketing. In 2016, Denys became the director of business management for Maizex Seeds in Tilbury. He was elected to the CSTA board of directors in 2007, and joined the CSTA executive in 2011. “Whether he is working to increase the understanding of agricul- tural technology — promoting open markets and the generation of funds for investment — or reaching out to youth to promote agriculture and particularly the seed sector as sources of exciting and rewarding careers, Stephen is always focused on grow- ing and improving agriculture and the seed business,” says Dave Baute, Maizex Seeds president. “[His] work to develop an envi- ronment that fosters investment goes beyond intellectual property protec- tion initiatives. He is a strong advocate for the use of certified seed to improve agricultural productivity, but also to facilitate a return on investment in research and plant breeding.” Stephen Denys received the Seed Achievement Award.