June 2025

2025 AGM Member Proposals Received

The CSGA Annual General Meeting is fast approaching, and we have received three Member Proposals for consideration as part of our member submission process. These proposals will be discussed and voted on during the meeting, giving members the opportunity to help shape the direction of the Association.

Below are the three proposals that have been submitted:

Member Proposal #1:

• Continuance of AAFC for Varietal Plant Breeding, Research and Finishing
• Moved By: Donald Sendziak – ABCSG; Seconded By: Lyndon Olson – SSGA & Adam Littman – SSGA & Steve Meinczinger – ABSCG

Member Proposal #2:

• Forage and Turf Breeder Seed Governance and Representation
• Moved by: Peace Region Forage Seed Association; Seconded by: Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission

Member Proposal #3:

• Regional Stewardship of Breeder and Foundation Seed for Public Forage Varieties
• Moved by: Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission; Seconded by: Danny Limoges

Meet the 2025 CSGA Board Nominees

We are pleased to introduce the nominees put forward by members of their respective Branches for election to the CSGA National Board at the 2025 AGM:

• Alberta-British Columbia: Lori Oatway and Chelsea Tomlinson
• Saskatchewan: Roy Klym and Ian Bodnaryk
• Manitoba: Andrew Ayre and Ryan Murray
• Ontario: Shannon Bieman and Carl Bolton
• Quebec: Marc-Antoine Paquet and Gabriel Provost
• Maritimes: Nicholas McCardle

This year marks an exciting milestone with the addition of a new seat on the Board: Affiliate Director. We are proud to introduce the first-ever nominee for this role:

Trent Whiting, Parent Seed Manager, SeCan

Trent supports SeCan members and plant breeders by managing the production and distribution of high-quality parent seed. His work ensures a strong foundation for the seed certification system and supports the production of top-performing varieties for Canadian farmers.

With deep expertise in seed production, quality assurance, and collaboration across the sector, Trent is well-positioned to represent Affiliate members and help advance CSGA’s inclusive, value-chain approach. Affiliate members will be able to vote for this position during the 2025 AGM.

We’re proud to take this important step toward broader engagement across the seed system and look forward to welcoming all new Affiliate and Associate members at the AGM.

Our 2024-2025 Annual Report is Now Available

We’re excited to share our 2024–2025 Annual Report! This year’s report celebrates CSGA’s key achievements, financials and activities from the past year, including CSGA’s 120th anniversary—a milestone that highlights our enduring leadership and commitment to excellence in Canadian agriculture.

We proudly marked this achievement with the launch of the “I ♥ Certified Seed” campaign and a commemorative video that celebrated our history and engaged the next generation of seed growers and industry leaders.

The Annual Report also details the significant progress we’ve made on key initiatives including Seed Regulatory Modernization, inclusivity in membership and harmonization of policy and standards. It also highlights our strong financial position, ensuring we can continue investing in innovation and supporting our members for years to come.

Let’s celebrate 120 years of seed sector excellence—and look ahead to an even brighter future!

Celebrating Excellence: Congratulations to Our 2025 Award Recipients

At the upcoming AGM in Victoria, we’ll be closing the event by celebrating excellence in the seed sector with our 2025 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

	Art Gorda From Willingdon, Alberta, Art dedicated his career to safeguarding pedigreed seed quality as a trusted inspector and mentor. He helped train over 70 new crop inspectors, shaping the next generation with his knowledge, generosity, and storytelling.
	Dr. Peter Pauls Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph, Peter spent 41 years advancing bean breeding, developing 50+ varieties and mentoring 70 students — shaping both Canadian agriculture and its future leaders.

Robertson Associate Award

	André Lussier A dedicated seed grower and champion of sustainable farming from Saint-Hyacinthe, André’s leadership has inspired growers across Québec and beyond.
	Ron Markert A proud seed grower continuing a family legacy in Alberta, Ron’s decades of leadership and service have strengthened the seed industry and helped shape its future.
	Jonathan Nyborg A lifelong seed grower and industry leader, Jonathan guided CSGA through key initiatives like the Seed Synergy Project, leaving a lasting impact on Canada’s seed system.
	Joe Rennick A dedicated seed grower, Joe’s decades of leadership have left a lasting mark on the Canadian seed sector. His passion for the industry and commitment to family and community continue to inspire us all.

Clark-Newman-Clayton Award

Dr. Pierre Hucl Renowned plant breeder at the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre, Pierre has developed over 90 crop varieties, advancing sustainable agriculture and food security.

CSGA Earns Ag Data Transparent Certification: Enhancing Data Trust and Transparency

We’re proud to announce that CSGA has earned Ag Data Transparent (ADT) certification – the agricultural industry’s only not-for-profit dedicated to ensuring farmers’ data is handled with integrity.

As data and digital tools continue to reshape seed production, ADT certification demonstrates that CSGA’s practices meet the highest standards for data ownership, collection, use, sharing, and retention. This means you have confidence in how your data is managed—safely, securely, and transparently.

This certification also aligns with CSGA’s efforts under the CFIA’s Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) to modernize our digital tools, streamline certification processes, and support innovation across the seed sector.

We’re proud to lead the way in data stewardship —helping build a more trusted, competitive, and sustainable seed system for all.

Learn more about Ag Data Transparent at agdatatransparent.com

Join CSGA as an Affiliate or Associate Member!

Canada’s seed certification system is built on collaboration and trust, ensuring that farmers, seed growers, and industry partners can rely on high-quality, pedigreed seed to meet the needs of modern agriculture. But this system doesn’t run itself. It depends on the active engagement and support of stakeholders from across the seed value chain. That’s where you come in.

Affiliate and Associate Members: Essential Partners

Affiliate and Associate members are essential partners in the seed certification ecosystem. Whether you’re a seed laboratory, processing facility, technology provider, or agriculture service company, your participation strengthens the integrity, transparency, and innovation that define Canada’s seed sector.

Why Join?

✅ Have a Voice in the Future of Seed Certification

Your membership ensures that your perspectives are heard and considered as we set standards and policies that impact the entire sector.

✅ Contribute to a Thriving Seed Sector

Your voice and support help to keep Canada’s seed system competitive and trusted both at home and abroad.

✅ Stay Informed and Connected

Membership gives you access to valuable resources, newsletters, and industry updates, as well as opportunities to network and collaborate with fellow seed sector leaders.

✅ Support Canada’s Farmers and Growers

A strong seed certification system means that farmers can plant with confidence—knowing they’re using the best seed available. That’s good for growers, entire agri-food value chain, and for all Canadians.

Join today!

Now more than ever, we need your voice and your partnership to help shape the future of seed in Canada. Please join us.

Seed Crop Certification and Membership Deadlines Are Approaching

With #Plant25 well underway, it’s time to submit your application for seed crop certification and renew your CSGA membership. Staying on top of these deadlines ensures your crops are eligible for certification and that you remain connected to Canada’s trusted seed certification system.

Important Application Deadlines

Every application deadline has a 14-day grace period to provide some flexibility. Please note the following key 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

Be sure to consult the Application Support Document for detailed guidance.

Don’t Forget Your Maps!

Maps are required to help inspectors locate your fields and ensure proper oversight. Submit your map and/or GPS coordinates with your application or upload them via SeedCert. You can also reuse previous land use, GPS coordinates, and maps from past seasons to simplify submissions.

Membership Renewal

You must complete a CSGA Membership Application/Renewal form each year. The grower responsible for the seed crop’s production and management must submit this form (unless they are not producing seed this year).

Membership offers more than certification—it connects you to industry news, voting privileges on CSGA business, and advocacy for Certified seed and the certification system. It connects you to a network of seed growers and sector colleagues and is required to track years of seed production experience as you work towards obtaining specific CSGA designations such as a Plot Grower or Accredited Seed Grower accreditation. We encourage all seed growers active on the farm to be listed on the account.

If you are farming with your sons and daughters, spouse, family members or in partnership with other growers, we encourage you to consider adding them to your account and having your crop certificates in the names of all those responsible for production. To add growers to your account, you may leave a comment in your Membership Application/Renewal Form or contact the office at (613) 236-0497, ext. 8803

SeedCert: Your Certification Window

Use SeedCert to manage your applications, upload maps, provide additional information to CSGA and monitor certification progress from anywhere, anytime. Before harvest, check your crop’s status to ensure a certificate has been issued.

We’re Here to Help

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us at (613) 236-0497, ext. 8803 or email.

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors Before We Head to Victoria!

Before we head out to our 2025 AGM in Victoria, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors. Your generous support helps us bring the seed sector together, celebrate our shared achievements, and build a stronger, more connected community.

• SeCan – Friday’s Family Fun Night
• Crop Development Centre – Everyone’s vibrant lanyards
• Bayer – Friday’s inspiring Keynote Address
• Seed World Canada – Our media sponsor and Thursday golf sponsor
• CANTERRA SEEDS – Everyone’s hotel key cards
• Corteva – Friday’s lunch
• 20/20 Seed Labs, Farm Credit Canada, Flaman Sales, and BrettYoung – those much-needed coffee breaks
• SGS Canada – Friday breakfast
• SeedNet – Saturday’s Gala Dinner table wine
• The Bolton and Klym families – for co-sponsoring the Children’s Program, investing in the next generation of seed growers
• CropLife Canada, Block’s Agencies, Syngenta, AgCall, and Prograin – for their generous AGM sponsorship
• Nexeed – be sure to visit their trade booth!

To learn more about our sponsors and their contributions, visit the AGM webpage. 

Thank you to all our sponsors for making this year’s AGM possible.

Let’s celebrate our achievements and
shape the future of the seed sector together in Victoria!