When Sarah Weigum of Three Hills stepped into her new role as president of the Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers (ABCSG), she inherited a strong foundation laid by her predecessors. But she’s not just planning to keep the seat warm—Weigum, 40, is already charting a course for the future of seed growing in the region.
“We’re in a really good place,” she says. “The previous presidents and executive did a fantastic job, and we’ve just wrapped up our strategic plan, so now we have some clear, measurable goals for the next few years.”
Weigum’s vision extends far beyond organizational housekeeping. She’s determined to strengthen the connection between ABCSG and its members—seed growers scattered across two provinces. While annual general meetings typically attract a strong turnout, she sees untapped potential in fostering deeper, more frequent engagement.
“We want to find new ways to connect with our growers, whether it’s on the farm or around a kitchen table,” she says. “It’s important that their voices are heard and that we’re constantly aligning our work with their needs.”
Weigum’s passion for the seed industry is palpable. Having joined the ABCSG board in 2021 during a turbulent time when the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) was considering merging with other seed organizations, Weigum felt compelled to advocate for seed growers to maintain an independent voice. As a seed grower herself (her family operates Alect Seeds and has been growing certified seed for over 40 years), she believes strongly in collaboration, but also values independence and the ability for seed growers to advocated for themselves.
“It was crucial that seed growers didn’t get lost in a large, consolidated organization. We occupy an important space between farmers and commercial entities.”
That belief still drives her today, especially as CSGA expands its membership to include non-seed growers. Weigum sees opportunity in the shift.
“We’ve always been strong advocates at the provincial government level, and I think there’s a bigger role for ABCSG to help shape seed policy in the future,” she says. “It’s a big deal to have non-seed growers joining CSGA, and I think it opens the door for more collaboration and influence.”
On her family farm, Weigum and her team grow a diverse range of crops—hard red spring wheat, soft white wheat, malt barley, yellow peas, flax, and pedigreed fall rye, among others. It’s that firsthand experience that keeps her grounded and connected to the challenges fellow seed growers face.
“Prices are always a concern—both the prices we get paid and the costs we have to cover,” she says. “And while most seed growers in Alberta aren’t heavily impacted by export tariffs, we do have members along the U.S. border who rely on cross-border trade. That’s something we’re keeping an eye on.”
But the biggest challenge looming on Weigum’s mind? Sustainable plant breeding funding.
“As Canadians, we have inherent disadvantages—cold climate, long distances to market—but one of our historical advantages has always been having access to top-notch genetics,” she explains. “Keeping that pipeline full in a way that’s sustainable, affordable, and attracts investment is crucial. If we don’t solve that puzzle, it’s going to be really tough to stay competitive.”
