Western Crop Innovations (WCI) has marked an important first step in building new partnerships to invest in the future of crop research in Canada.
The newly incorporated not-for-profit organization that assumed the research and development operations from the Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) has announced two new partnerships, one with a major Alberta seed company.
WCI has struck transitional support agreements with the Alberta Beef Producers, who work on behalf of beef cattle producers to maintain the Alberta and Canada beef advantage, and SeedNet Inc., a 15-year-old organization of independent growers dedicated to providing farmers with seed and farm inputs.
“What is so impressive in both cases is that these two partners came to us very early in our formation and asked how they could help. They had been funders of the FCDC and recognized that it was critically important that industry producer-driven organizations send a message to institutional funders that they were prepared to invest in our future,” says Jason Lenz, chair of the interim board of WCI.
“Other partners at our gate have expressed a willingness to make funding contributions for this transitional year and our long-term stability. We are determined to satisfy their needs in the days to come to advance crop research in Western Canada.”
Jeff Jackson, general manager of SeedNet, noted that SeedNet has a long-standing positive relationship with the team at WCI, going back to when it was still under the FCDC banner.
“We believe it is vital for the entire industry, from producer to end user, to be involved in creating a sustainable model for programs like these. We are excited to continue our support and shape a positive future for WCI.”
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