April 2026

The 2026 Crop Application Season Has Begun!

The crop season is underway, and CSGA has sent out the 2026 application packages. Please check your inbox for your package or contact the office if you need one. To help ensure a smooth certification process, please keep the following key reminders in mind:

	Review Important Documents Before submitting your application, review the Application Support Document for details on application requirements and updates for the 2026 crop season.
	Application Deadlines Submit your applications by the following dates:  May 5 – winter canola/rapeseed May 25 – fall seeded cereals June 10 – fababeans, forages, flax, canola, mustard, corn, and field peas June 20 – all other crops not listed here July 10 – field beans and buckwheat July 25 – soybeans

Still Open: If you’re planning to begin plot probation in 2026 toward the CSGA Accredited Plot Grower designation, applications are still being accepted. Submit Form 154 through SeedCert to get started.

	Land Use Eligibility Check Unsure whether a field is eligible for pedigreed seed production? We’re here to help! Send in Form 101 (see Forms tab in SeedCert) prior to seeding. CSGA will review your proposed land use plan and confirm in writing if your plan meets requirements.
	Application Requirements Include maps or GPS coordinates with each Application for CSGA Seed Crop Certification. If you didn’t produce the parent seed, attach a seed tag.
	Application Review & Next Steps Once submitted, CSGA will review your application and contact you if needed. Monitor your email closely. Fields that are not eligible for certification may need to be addressed early in the process. Applications that meet requirements are forwarded to your seed crop inspection service. Please ensure your crops are produced in accordance with all production requirements outlined in Circular 6. If anything is unclear, don’t hesitate to contact us.
	Account Updates & Open Opportunities We encourage all active seed growers on your farm to be properly listed on your account. Keeping your account up to date helps ensure smooth communication and accurate administration throughout the certification process. If you need help adding a grower or updating a group account, please contact our office, we’re always happy to help.
	Remember: A crop harvested before inspection cannot become a pedigreed seed crop. Ensure your crop is inspected—contact your inspection service early if you’re unsure. Applications must be submitted in the name of the grower(s) producing the field, as outlined in the Application Support Document. If you are managing production on behalf of other seed growers, contact our office to learn how to set this up in SeedCert. You must provide authorization through your CSGA membership form before a third party can submit an application on your behalf. Check your inbox for your 2026 CSGA Application Package. If you didn’t receive it, please check your spam folder or contact our office for assistance.

Leadership Transition at CSGA

As shared with members, Doug Miller has concluded his 15-year tenure as Executive Director.

Doug has been a respected and steady leader for CSGA and the broader seed sector, helping guide important changes and strengthen relationships across the organization. We thank him for his dedication and leadership and wish him every success in the next chapter.

Caroline Lafontaine, Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed Interim Executive Director. With 20 years of experience at CSGA, she brings deep organizational knowledge and will provide continuity and steady leadership while the Board continues its search for a permanent Executive Director.

CSGA in Action

It’s been a busy few months connecting across the seed and agriculture sector.

Sector Engagement and Events

CSGA has been actively engaged in key sector discussions and events, including:

• Participated in the Crossroads Conference, where we joined Seed World for a panel discussion on the future of seed.
• Attended a Canadian Federation of Agriculture meeting, where we facilitated an agtech panel discussion and advanced a motion on the future of plant breeding in Canada. Brought forward by CSGA and supported by CFA members at its AGM, the motion calls to stabilize and prevent further erosion of plant breeding capacity, including essential expertise, infrastructure and programs,  launch a national consultation on the future of plant breeding, and commits to a long-term plan that strengthens public plant breeding aligned with farmer needs, climate and disease realities and market competitiveness, reinforcing plant breeding as a national priority within CFA’s policy agenda.
• Participated in a Future of Food event focused on innovation and resilience in the agriculture sector.
• Presented a national update at regional CSGA Branch Annual General Meetings for seed growers across the country.

Parliamentary and Policy Engagement

• Engaged in parliamentary discussions on science in Canadian agriculture, including Board Director Lori Oatway’s first appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on the closure of research centres and its impact on Canada’s agricultural research and innovation capacity.
• Appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food to support its study on business risk management in agriculture, sharing perspectives on the role of seed certification as a foundational risk management tool for a strong and resilient agriculture sector in Canada, including the impacts of research centre closures, the need for sustained investment in plant breeding, and the importance of incentives for the use of certified seed. This appearance also marked Doug Miller’s final official engagement as Executive Director.

• Appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry to contribute to its study on the role of agriculture in food security, with Managing Director, Policy and Standards Mike Scheffel representing CSGA and highlighting the organization’s perspective.

International Collaboration

• Hosted representatives from the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), the United Kingdom’s leading authority on plant variety evaluation and seed certification, to exchange perspectives on seed systems, variety registration, and certification approaches across jurisdictions.

Whitehorse 2026: AGM Program Preview & Early Bird Extension

Join us in Whitehorse, Yukon, July 3–5 for our 2026 AGM! We’ve extended the early bird registration deadline to May 11, giving you more time to take advantage of the reduced rates.

This year’s program, themed “Building Resiliency: Stronger Seed. Stronger Agriculture. Stronger Future.”, will spotlight key policy and sector priorities.

We have a panel on positioning agriculture as a strategic national asset in today’s shifting geopolitical landscape. Bringing together government relations and policy experts, the session will explore trade pressures, food security, and what it will take to strengthen agriculture’s voice in Canada’s economic and national agenda. The AGM will also host an important discussion on shaping the future of plant breeding in Canada. 

A special address from Senator Robert Black will highlight the importance of agriculture, soil health, and public plant breeding, drawing on his experience and advocacy at the national level.

Additional program highlights include keynote speaker and adventurer Bruce Kirkby on resilience and navigating change, opening remarks from Senator Pat Duncan (Yukon), and a uniquely northern perspective on Yukon agriculture from the Yukon Agriculture Association, tracing its evolution from the Gold Rush to today.

Set against a stunning Yukon backdrop, the AGM combines a strong business program with a family-friendly experience, including optional tours, companion and children’s programming, and the popular Fun Night at Takhini River Ranch.

The event concludes with the Awards Gala Dinner at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, celebrating excellence in the seed sector.

Supporting Grassroots Participation in Governance - Submit a Member Proposal

Members who wish to raise issues or ideas for discussion at the Annual General Meeting are invited to submit a Member Proposal by Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

These proposals are an important part of CSGA’s democratic process and help guide the association’s policy direction by bringing forward member priorities.

All proposals received will be circulated through Seed Scoop before the AGM. To submit a Proposal, please complete the form below and email it to Mike Scheffel, who compiles submissions on behalf of the Governance Committee. If you have questions or need support completing the form, don’t hesitate to contact Mike directly.

Call for Nominations - CSGA Affiliate Director

As part of its commitment to strong, member-led governance, CSGA is now accepting nominations for the Affiliate Director position on the Board of Directors.

CSGA’s Board is made up of directors drawn from its membership. Seed Grower Directors are nominated through their respective Branches, while Affiliate Directors are selected through a call for expressions of interest and elected through the AGM process, reflecting the grassroots, member-led nature of CSGA governance.  

Now entering its second year, the Affiliate Director role continues to strengthen engagement at the Board level. We thank Trent Whiting, CSGA’s first Affiliate Director, for his leadership in establishing this role.

• Trent Whiting (incumbent) – has indicated his intention to stand for re-election

The Affiliate Director role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to CSGA’s strategic direction and the advancement of seed certification in Canada.

To submit a nomination, complete the Affiliate Director Nomination Form and email it to Caroline Lafontaine by 5pm ET, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Nominees must be current CSGA Affiliate members in good standing. All Board candidate profiles will be shared in a future issue of Seed Scoop ahead of the AGM.

Celebrating Excellence: Congratulations to Our 2026 Award Recipients

Join us at the upcoming AGM in Whitehorse as we close the event by celebrating excellence in the seed sector with our 2026 Award Gala Dinner.

We encourage you to get to know these outstanding individuals below who have made remarkable contributions to the Canadian seed sector and agriculture. Congratulations to you all!

CSGA Honorary Life Award

Rick Love

Rick has more than 40 years of experience in seed production, variety development, and regulatory work in Western Canada. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with seed growers and industry partners to support the introduction and multiplication of more than 150 crop varieties through roles with Newfield Seeds, United Grain Growers, BrettYoung Seeds, and CANTERRA SEEDS. A respected mentor and committee contributor, Rick has helped advance variety development and strengthen collaboration across the seed sector. Learn more about Rick here. 

Ken Macpherson

Ken has dedicated over 35 years to seed crop inspection with Agriculture Canada and CFIA. From his family farm roots in Ontario, he became a trusted leader, mentor, and key contributor to the Licensed Seed Crop Inspector program. He helped strengthen inspection standards nationwide and supported the development and training of inspectors across Canada. Learn more about Ken here. 

Robertson Associate Award

Éric Laflamme

Éric is a second-generation farmer from Québec. He was an active member of the Producteurs de semences du Québec for more than two decades, where he demonstrated strong commitment and leadership in representing seed growers, advancing seed certification, strengthening governance, and contributing to seed contract and pricing negotiations with seed merchants. He operates Ferme Roflamme inc., producing certified seed in partnership with Sollio Cooperative and supporting long-term farm and sector collaboration. Learn more about Éric here. 

Laurie Wakefield

Laurie is a Saskatchewan seed grower who began certifying pedigreed seed in 1982 and operates a long-standing family farm near Maidstone. He has served in leadership roles with the Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association and joined the CSGA Board in 2018, contributing to committees and strategic initiatives focused on strengthening Canada’s seed certification system. Learn more about Laurie here. 

CSGA Learn: Strengthening Skills, Standards, and Leadership in Canada’s Seed Sector

CSGA Learn is more than an online training platform—it’s a practical, sector-built learning tool designed to help you sharpen your expertise, stay aligned with best practices, and strengthen Canada’s Certified seed system.

Whether you’re new to seed production or an experienced grower looking to refine your skills, CSGA Learn gives you flexible, self-paced learning that supports real-world application in the field.

Why CSGA Learn Matters

CSGA Learn helps you:

• Hone your existing skills and stay current with evolving seed certification standards and regulations
• Learn best practices for seed production, handling, and certification from trusted sector experts
• Build confidence in your decision-making through practical, applied learning resources
• Support onboarding and training for new growers and team members in a consistent, structured way
• Position yourself as a leader in the seed sector by demonstrating your commitment to continuous learning and excellence

What You’ll Find Inside

CSGA Learn offers structured, practical courses covering key areas such as:

• Seed certification classes and requirements
• Crop production standards and field practices
• Seed handling, storage, and quality assurance
• Fundamentals of plant breeding and breeder seed production

Courses are supported by field imagery, instructional videos, glossaries, and reference materials.

Built For Flexibility and Growth

CSGA Learn is designed to fit your schedule and support you at every stage of your professional development. You can:

• Progress at your own pace
• Track your training and completed courses through your personal dashboard
• Earn certificates and digital badges that demonstrate your knowledge and competency
• Follow curated learning pathways designed to support CSGA Designation requirements and help you fast-track your progression

Professional Positioning

In today’s evolving agricultural landscape, ongoing learning is one of the clearest ways you can stand out. CSGA Learn helps you demonstrate professionalism, consistency, and leadership in Canada’s seed sector—showing your commitment to high standards and continuous improvement.

Farmer Mental Health Survey

The National Survey of Farmer and Rancher Mental Health in Canada is currently active, with the submission deadline recently extended to May 31, 2026. Led by Dr. Andria Jones at the University of Guelph in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing, the study aims to assess stress, resilience, and mental health across all agricultural commodities.