b"CHRIS BARKER HAS A VISION FOR A HIGH-TECH FUTURE IN FARMINGThe executive director of the Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association comes from a research background that didnt focus on seed. Turns out, its an asset in his new role.Marc ZienkiewiczCHRIS BARKERS RESUME in the world of research is extensive. Twelve years working in livestock vaccine research. Over a decade at Genome Prairie, five of those years as chief scientific officer. Another four years as research and business director for the Global Institute for Food Security. Now, this lover of technology and how it can be used to improve the genome is the executive director of the Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association (SaskSeed). We sat down with Barker to find out why he wanted to bring his expertise to the seed industry, and his vision for the voice of pedigreed seed in Saskatchewan.Chris, you've had a diverse background, including work in vaccine design and academic research. Whatmade you want to become the executive director for SaskSeed?Its been an evolution for me. As the executive director of SaskSeed, I see it as a continuation of my journey, where I can have a broader impact on the industry. Ive always been fascinated by the impact of research onChris Barker is the new executive director for SaskSeed. agriculture, and working with plant breeders was a significant part of my career. Being in this role allows me to bridge the gap between plant breeding and seed production, contributing toOne of the challenges in the seed industry is encour-the industry's growth and innovation. aging the use of certified seed. How do you plan toaddress this issue and promote the value of certified Your background includes vaccine design forseed among farmers?livestock. How has this experience influenced yourDemonstrating the role that certified seed growersperspective on agriculture, especially in the seedplay in moving new crop varieties and technologies industry? from research and breeding programs into wide Vaccine design for livestock was my introduction toadoption by producers is crucial. The use of the newest crop the world of agriculture research. It was exciting to seevarieties ensures they have the most productive and well how science and technology could be harnessed toadapted crop for a changing environment and market. That improve agricultural practices. While I shifted more towardsbenefits them and the entire ag sector in Saskatchewan. crop research in my career, that initial exposure to innovativeCertified seed growers provide access to those varieties as well technologies has shaped my view of the agricultural sector. Itas vital local knowledge of variety performance. We dont want made me appreciate the role of technology and innovation into stop the use of farm saved seed but we want to encourage agriculture, which I believe is equally applicable to the seedfarmers to adopt newer varieties that benefit their bottom line industry. Just as we work to improve the health and productiv- and the whole ag sector in Saskatchewan. Its about making the ity of livestock, we aim to enhance crop production throughcase that using certified seed to access those newer varieties superior seed technologies. ultimately benefits farmers by improving their yields and the 30GERMINATION.CANOVEMBER 2023"