4 GERMINATION.CA JULY 2017 About the Cover Our cover shows just some of the influential people who have had a big impact on the seed sector both in the past and in more recent years, many of them featured in this issue. They are: FROMTHEGROUNDUP One hundred fifty years ago, Canada was born — and the seed industry right along with it. We take an in-depth look at how our six industry associations formed and what they look like today. Series written by Marc Zienkiewicz SIX ASSOCIATIONS MAKE up Canada’s seed industry. Although the first of those wasn’t formed until the early 20th century, the industry really began in 1867 with the Confederation of Canada. Many of our new country’s residents were either farmers already, or became farmers when they settled here. They didn’t know it at the time, but as they began to plant the seeds brought over from their home- land, they were helping form an industry that now contributes an estimated $5.61 billion to the Canadian economy, according to statistics from the Canadian Seed Trade Association. The series of stories that fol- lows profiles these six associa- tions, delves into their pasts, and gives a portrait of what they look like today. Our September issue will discuss what’s ahead for them, including how the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project — designed to build a next- generation seed system for Canada — might influence that future. For more info about the people seen on our cover, visit germination.ca/building-industry-cover/ Krista Erickson, CSAAC executive director Bruce Harrison, senior director, seed breeding and innovation, Crop Production Services Brent Derkatch, Operations & Business Development Director, Canterra Seeds Roy van Wyk, CSI executive director Glyn Chancey, CSGA executive director Stephen Denys, CSTA Seed Achievement Award recipient Randy Preater, CSGA special adviser Lorne Hadley, CPTA executive director Richard Martin, CSGA Honorary Life Award recipient J.W. Robertson, a founding father of the CSGA Grahame and Kathy Hardy, CSGA Robertson Associate Award recipients Kim McConnell, founder and former CEO of AdFarm Jim McCullagh, first CSI executive director Dale Adolphe, CSGA Honorary Life Award recipient Ron Weik, FP Genetics Seed Portfolio Manager W.H. Perron, CSTA president 1948/49 Dorothy Murrell, CSTA Honorary Life Membership Award recipient Pierre Petelle, CropLife Canada president Gail Livingstone, Livingstone Seed Laboratory founder Bill Legge, CSTA Plant Breeding & Genetics Award recipient PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE | PART 1