December 5, 2023

Season's Greetings from Your President

As we gather around the warmth of the holiday season, let’s take a moment to reflect on the incredible importance of the work we all do. Seed plays a central role in feeding Canadian families and families worldwide. This time of year, seed is also the starting point of our festive meals, bringing comfort, joy, and some of our most treasured holiday memories.

At CSGA, our commitment to seed certification is a vital contribution to the well-being of families during this special time of year. It’s about ensuring that the seeds planted today will flourish into the crops that grace holiday feasts tomorrow.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to every one of you. Your commitment to upholding the value and reputation of Canadian Certified seed is the backbone of our shared success. Each Certified seed is a promise that we are making to families, farmers, and the world at large. It’s a promise of quality, value, innovation, trust, and the assurance that the food on their plates is the result of a rigorous process and dedicated seed growers.

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season filled with the warmth of shared moments and a bountiful harvest in the coming year.

Sincerely,
Dale Connell

Jonathan Nyborg Steps Down from Board

After nine years of leadership, Jonathan Nyborg has stepped down from the CSGA Board of Directors. On behalf of the CSGA Board, staff, members, and stakeholders, we thank Jonathan for his dedicated service to our Association, the seed sector and Canadian agriculture over the years.

Jonathan’s leadership over the years has seen us through many challenges and triumphs. He has always been ready to step up to the front line and represent CSGA with strength, determination, and pride.

Jonathan holds his 25-year Long Service Award, was the CSGA Maritime Branch President and has been on the CSGA Board of Directors since 2014. As President from 2018-2020, Jonathan led our Association during seed synergy, ensuring members’ voices were heard.

We wish Jonathan much success and happiness in his next adventures.

2023 CSGA Seed Crop Certification Acreage and Membership Report

Another year is almost over, which means we have your 2023 CSGA Seed Crop Certification Acreage and Membership Report ready. This comprehensive report provides a detailed breakdown of CSGA-certified seed crop production levels and membership numbers for the last seven years. In 2023, CSGA certified 1,204,749 acres of seed in 12,229 fields and 2,552 plots.

Click here for our complete 2023 CSGA Seed Crop Certification Acreage and Membership Report.

CSGA Health – Supporting Our Seed Sector’s Health and Wellbeing

The Canadian seed sector is a tight-knit community where we care about those we work with, not just on a business level but a personal one. Our new initiative, CSGA Health, is not just an insurance plan; it’s a testament to our shared commitment to the health and prosperity of our seed sector community.

Many small, independent businesses in the seed sector need access to affordable medical and dental coverage. With CSGA Health, we bridge that gap by leveraging the collective strength of our 2,500 seed-producing businesses to unlock affordable group rates with additional benefits for all. And anyone involved in the Canadian seed sector can enroll!

With CSGA Health, you can access:

• Comprehensive health, dental, drug, vision, and travel insurance
• Critical illness and disability coverage
• Mental health support tailored to those in agriculture
• Customized plan coverage

Together, let’s ensure a healthier and more secure future for all. Learn more here.

Mark Your Calendars for the Branch AGMs

CSGA’s regional Branches have announced dates for their Annual General Meetings (AGM).

Your Branch AGM is an excellent way to stay updated on local opportunities and share feedback on issues. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet and engage with people with similar passions and share your voice as we work together on issues that affect the Canadian seed sector.

The 2023-2024 Regional Branch AGM dates are:

• Manitoba: Dec 6-7, 2023, Brandon, MB
• Saskatchewan: Jan 10-11, 2024, Saskatoon, SK
• Alberta-British Columbia: Feb 7-8, 2024, Edmonton, AB
• Québec : Feb 21, 2024, Lévis, Québec
• Ontario: March, 2024 TBC

Please refer to the CSGA Calendar webpage and contact your Branch for more information.

It’s Always a Good Time to Invest in Your Team's Training

Whether you are a farm manager with a team supporting you or a larger company with contract growers and field staff, you need employees who are up to date on best seed production practices in the Canadian seed sector.

With ten courses and four programs, CSGA Learn is a high-quality training resource for teams who want to take their seed skills to the next level. Each CSGA Learn course includes field crop photos, how-to videos, glossaries, reference links, best management practices, and practical advice from experienced seed growers. CSGA has grouped specific courses as curated learning programs based on specific interests.

1. Introduction to Seed Production: For new seed growers and seed professionals just starting out.
2. Probation Plot Grower: Voluntary completion of this program helps seed growers accelerate the process to a CSGA Plot Grower accreditation.
3. Experienced Seed Grower: Demonstrate your deep seed knowledge, authority and experience and obtain the new Accredited Seed Grower (ASG) designation.
4. Plant Breeder: Learn the requirements for producing certified Breeder seed in Canada – recommended to those applying for CSGA Plant Breeder recognition.

Administrators can manage their team’s learning from one spot, while learners use their personal dashboards to track their progress. And, once they’ve achieved a CSGA designation, they can share their digital badges to showcase their new expertise.

Learn more and enroll your team today!

Consultation on Circular 6 Changes, Closed November 15

From September 20 to November 15, 2023, CSGA conducted a stakeholder consultation on proposed revisions to Circular 6, including the certification requirements in Section 6, Forage and Turf Grasses and in Section 7, Forage Legumes, regarding mechanical purity.

The feedback received was positive and included suggestions for editorial revisions to improve the standards’ clarity and transparency.

An additional revision relates to including other crop kinds that may cross-pollinate with the seed crop to be part of the mechanical purity standard rather than the varietal purity standard, in keeping with the approach taken by the OECD Seed Schemes.

Complete feedback will be presented to the Regulatory Services Committee, where a final recommendation will be made to the Board of Directors. Thank you to everyone who participated in the consultation.

CSGA Office Hours for the Holidays

The CSGA office will be closed for the holidays starting at 4 pm ET on Thursday, December 21, 2023, and reopening at 8 am ET on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

Please complete your digital seed crop certificates and settle your accounts by logging in to SeedCert. If you need any help, please contact us by email or call 613-236-0497, ext. 8803, before December 21.

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year.