Former Maple Leaf Foods Exec Trevor Sears Named Executive Director of Western Crop Innovations

May 28, 2025

Western Crop Innovations (WCI) has announced the appointment of Trevor Sears as its permanent executive director. Sears will officially begin his role on June 2, just ahead of the organization’s first Annual General Meeting.

His hiring follows a four-month national search led by WCI’s Interim Board in partnership with Osborne Talent Acquisition. Sears brings over 30 years of leadership experience in Canadian agriculture, including his most recent role as President and CEO of Canada Pork. He has also held senior positions at Maple Leaf Foods, where he led international sales and strategic market development across Asia.

WCI Interim Chair Jason Lenz said Sears emerged early as a top candidate due to his deep experience in both for-profit and non-profit agricultural organizations. Lenz also acknowledged the work of Osborne Talent Acquisition and thanked all candidates who participated in the process.

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Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.