52 GERMINATION.CA JULY 2018 At their annual meetings in Montreal, CSTA and CSGA recognize members who’ve made their mark on our industry. Compiled by Marc Zienkiewicz HONOURING OURBESTAND BRIGHTEST Stephen Yarrow — Seed Achievement Award Co-Sponsored by CropLife Canada Igor Falak — Canadian Plant Breeding & Genetics Award Co-Sponsored by Germination magazine Dr. Falak is a private sector canola researcher at Pioneer Hi-Bred Production who has shown great capacity for development of unique commercial products with native-sourced traits. He started his career in the former Yugoslavia as a plant pathologist and eventually came to Canada where he continued to pursue his work in canola. His canola breeding efforts have resulted in many improved, leading-edge canola hybrids which have har- nessed unique natural variability to improve key agronomic characteristics, such as disease and pod shatter resistance. For example, Dr. Falak worked on clubroot after its discovery in Canada and these efforts led to the first-ever clubroot-resistant spring canola. He has proven contribu- tions that include leading or involvement in the release of eight hybrid or inbred lines and four significant patents on the use of native traits in canola improvement. His previ- ously awarded honours reflect his scientific excellence not only within his organization, but also the industry. Dr. Yarrow, originally from the United Kingdom, moved to Ontario in the early 1980s. He began his career as a research scientist at one of Canada’s first plant biotech- nology companies. He then served as an executive at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and was responsible for managing various aspects of the plant regulatory program. He went on to work as the vice-president of plant biotech- nology for CropLife Canada and was instrumental in devel- oping positions on many seed-related issues and challenges. His contributions to the seed and biotech industries have come in various forms over many years of service, as noted, as a regulator in government and as an advocate for this dynamic and growing segment of the Canadian economy. Most recently, Dr. Yarrow served as an active par- ticipant and driver of the Seed Synergy initiative. While he has now retired, he has been instrumental in generating a positive operating environment for the broader seed sector, pushing for regulatory modernization and seeking interna- tional adoption of plant breeding innovations. Ron Weik — Honourary Life Membership Award A seed industry veteran, Ron Weik (formerly of FP Genetics Inc.), was born and raised in the Arborg area of Manitoba. Ron moved to Regina in 1971 and worked until 2003 in his “first career” with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. He dedicated his career to promoting and better- ing the Certified seed industry while working alongside breeders, seed growers, end-users and farmers. He has always worked to find the best solutions for the chal- lenges at hand. Due to his knowledge of the industry and his willing- ness to invest his time, he has been consistently called upon by CSTA staff and members alike for his input and support of CSTA activities. His participation in commit- tee meetings has always offered a balanced and insightful approach which helped to generate positive outcomes and certainly earned Ron the respect of regulators and industry peers alike. Ron has never hesitated to engage his efforts to further the interests of CSTA and over the years made valu- able contributions to the development of CSTA policy. Canadian Seed Trade Association 2018 Award Recipients