b'MESSAGES | Alberta Seed GrowersHAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE. Another busy year has come and gone. For many of us, 2019 was a year that brought some unexpected challenges and difficulties. However, 2019 was also a year packed with collaboration, hard work and innovation. Here at Alberta Seed Growers, a lot of that came down to our work on Seed Synergy, and I think its well worth celebrating and acknowledging the recent efforts weve put in altogether to drive our industry forward. Three years ago, six major seed organizations across Canada (including the Canadian Seed Growers Association) banded together to initiate the formation of the one comprehensive seed organization, the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project (SSCP). The SSCP was created with the goal of developing the vision for the next generation seed system in Canada. Since its inception, the Seed Synergy partners have been working hard to develop recommendations and plans for an effective, new Canadian seed system that will meet the demands of the future. That means a system able to adapt to new technologies and business models, an increasingly global marketplace and rising competition from countries around the world.ASG has been involved in this work, along with all of the other major seed organizations across Canada. Together, we are working to propose reforms to current regulations to streamline the process of bringing innovative new products to market. We are engaging with government in a constructive way that encourages modernization. And we are trying to level the playing field for all seed growers in(780) 554-5945 [email protected] Through Seed Synergy, we are working on your behalf and echoing your concerns, @AntonLakeFarms which is why Seed Synergy will benefit all ASG members in numerous ways. For example, we are working together to provide an enhanced breeding program that will deliver you improved varieties in all crops, launch a Single Window system for efficiently navigating regulatory obligations for accreditation, and find new opportunities for marketing your seed in domestic and international markets. Overall, our involvement in Seed Synergy will lead to more voices speaking up about the future of our industry and more competitiveness for your operations. Im sure you, like me, are looking forward to a collaborative future. This time of year is also a great opportunity to look ahead at whats right around the corner: FarmTech and the Alberta Seed Growers Annual General Meeting. We are looking forward to FarmTech, an exciting three-day event that covers all topics related to crop production and farm management. This year, the event runs January 28 to 30 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. Be sure to stop by our Alberta Seed Growers booth to chat with us about current issues and events. I am also looking forward to welcoming you all to our 91st AGM, which this year starts earlier at 2:00 pm on February 6 and all day February 7, 2020, at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. It promises to be another interesting and informative few days, packed with industry updates, presentations and a facilitated session on Seed Synergy to help support you and your business. (And of course, the ASG Awards Banquet is always a fun evening of celebration!) Dont forget to pre-register to attend at seedalberta.ca.I look forward to another great year working alongside you all.Renee HoymePresidentAlberta Seed Growers4seed.ab.ca'