Gerald Girodat – 2016 Robertson Associate Award Recipient

Born in Shaunavon, Sask., and raised on a farm south of Gull Lake, Gerald graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1964 with a bachelor of science in agriculture.

Gerald acquired his first piece of farmland in 1965. Working with Farm Credit Canada as a credit adviser until 1971, he soon moved to Swift Current, where he was with the Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture until 1973. It was then that he made the career decision to conduct farm management classes in the winter and move to the farm for the summer months.

After a few years, the farming bug bit him hard. Gerald moved to the farm north of Shaunavon permanently in 1976. He established Girodat Seeds in 1988. In 2009 he built a new house in town and commuted to the farm on a daily basis.

Gerald has filled many roles in the community over the years. He is founding director of South West Grain Terminal at Gull Lake; served as director of Red Coat Stock Farm east of Shaunavon; is past chair of the Shaunavon Economic Development Committee; founding director of Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association; councillor for the RM of Bone Creek; board member of Shaunavon Ability Centre; trustee for Shaunavon School Division; member of the District No. 4 Agricultural Board; member of the SSGA board; and CSGA President from 2010-2012.

His faith is very important to him. He’s been a parishioner of Christ the King Parish in Shaunavon for many years, where he has served as chairman of the Parish Council as well as Grand Knight for the Shaunavon Knights of Columbus.

Gerald is married to Helen (Ledingham) of Saskatoon. They wed in 1969 and have four children, all grown-up and married. They have given Gerald and Helen 14 grandchildren.

In his recreational time, Gerald enjoys golfing, curling and spends lots of time watching the children’s and grandchildren’s sporting activities — hockey, volleyball, basketball and dance recitals.