Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 688 STRENGTHin numbers: It’s what will define the seed industry. The sheer number of seed-related associations that exist in Canada and across the globe is proof that this is one industry in which members are living out the wisdom that people are better off working together than going it alone, from companies to associations and non-governmental organizations. “The extent to which the big issues are unifying as opposed to being divisive is significant,” says Glyn Chancey, executive director of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA). “It’s actually difficult to find issues where there’s intense fun- damental disagreement. “I chose this role with CSGA because of the people, their professional standards and their creativity. No matter what their differences, when they identify an issue that needs to be addressed, they pull together. That’s a reality I’ve been reminded of on a daily basis these past number of months.” Jeff Reid, chief executive officer for SeCan, also attests to the people power that exists in the seed industry. With more than 700 independent seed business members from coast-to-coast engaged in seed production, processing and marketing, SeCan celebrated 40 years in business in 2016 as Canada’s largest- selling brand of certified seed. “SeCan is probably one of the first examples of a successful 3P partnership in Canadian seed,” he says. At an international level, Garlich Von Essen knows that suc- cess comes from bringing people together to achieve great things. As secretary-general of the European Seed Association (ESA), he says creating a common team spirit is the key to ensuring the industry moves forward and not back, even in challenging times. “Sharing is the key word,” he says. “How do we better share our resources? That’s one of the big things at the top of our agenda.” One facet worth sharing is germplasm, and that’s what the Global Crop Diversity Trust is set up to do — conserve and make accessible crop diversity in plant gene banks around the globe. Marie Haga, executive director, explains that the trust has historically worked with international gene banks around the globe to preserve the most unique and important collec- tions. Now, she says, they are eager to start working at the national level in addition to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. More than ever before, working together toward common goals is what’s behind the success of the seed industry. STRENGTH in NUMBERS