KPPA hires new general manager

May 17, 2023

The Keystone Potato Producers Association board has a new general manager.

Susan Ainsworth is replacing Dan Sawatzky effective September 1, 2023.

Sawatzky will be working with Ainsworth over the next few months which will help with a smoother transition.

He says her past experience and exposure within the potato industry make her a perfect choice.

Ainsworth has worked in various roles within the potato industry in Manitoba over the past 26 years and has experience at numerous levels including retail, government, post-secondary education, industry and on-farm.

She has a bachelor of science in agriculture from the University of Manitoba and recently completed a master’s in business administration from the Shannon School of Business at Cape Breton University.

Click here to see more...

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.