54 GERMINATION.CA JULY 2017 CSTA / CSTA STAFF CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE ORGANIZATION FORWARD EVERY DAY / CDNSEED.ORG Crosby Devitt Did you know? CSTA has a new communications and member engagement coordinator — Kim Sabourin. confident that these endeavours will continue to bring enhancements to the seed industry. CSTA’s annual and semi-annual meetings continue to be a vital place for members to set direction for the organization through committee meetings, business meetings with colleagues, and events to celebrate success. The July 2017 CSTA annual meeting in Halifax was especially valuable, particularly as the two asso- ciations partnered with the Canadian Seed Growers' Association on their family fun night. The most significant change initia- tive for CSTA has to be its partnership with the Seed Synergy organizations. The past two years have seen what began as a foggy concept develop into a strong partnership and a draft working document for a next-genera- tion seed system for Canada. CSTA is at a critical point in the process and looks forward to member input on the next phase, some of which took place at its annual meeting. CSTA staff continue to drive the organization forward every day and work towards making these changes happen. It has been an honour to work with talented staff who carry a passion for the seed sector and our members. As the needs of the organi- zation change, CSTA has refined staff roles to better match the needs of members. Recent changes include the hiring of Kim Sabourin as com- munications and member engage- ment coordinator, the promotion of Dave Carey to director, government affairs and policy, and a refinement of Kristen St. Denis’ role to executive administrator and meeting planner. I wish all CSTA members great success in the future and look for- ward to continued collaboration. CHANGE IS A constant factor, and this is especially true of the fast-moving seed industry. Just look at the issues covered in this magazine over the past few years and you’ll see just how fast change can happen. There are new ideas being discussed, new com- panies bringing products to market, and new innovations on the horizon. Over the past two years, I’ve thor- oughly enjoyed being fully immersed in my role as the executive director of Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA). I have moved on from CSTA and have taken on the role of vice- president, strategic development with the Grain Farmers of Ontario. In my new role, I look forward to continu- ing to be involved in seed, as it is a critically important tool for every grain farmer. As I reflect on the past two years, I’m reminded of the change within our organization and in the industry. I’d like to touch on some of those changes. With change in mind, CSTA’s board of directors approved CSTA’s updated five-year Strategic Plan in early February 2017. CSTA’s mission statement, To Foster Seed Industry Innovation and Trade, is turned into action in five key areas: Regulatory System, Investment in Innovation, Trade & Market Access, Public Trust & Industry Image, and Communication & Member Services. It’s CSTA’s strat- egy that drives its action. CSTA has ramped up engagement with politicians and policymakers federally and provincially. In 2016 and 2017, CSTA met with over 70 Members of Parliament, ministers, minister offices, senators and senior- level regulators to promote the value of the seed industry and an effective science-based regulatory system. I’m THEONLYCONSTANTISCHANGE