Experience and perspective needed at Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Issued by: Election Candidates Buhr, Moen and Vandenberg
Shawn Buhr of Lucky Lake, Jim Moen of Cabri, and Dr. Bert Vandenberg of Saskatoon are asking producers to support them as they seek to fill three open positions on the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) Board.
The three candidates offer a wealth of experience and integrity to help guide the seven member SPG Board through a delicate transition period where experienced leadership is being lost. Over the past 6 months, the board has seen the early departure of Chairman Murray Purcell and Executive Director Garth Patterson, who both provided excellent service to the pulse industry. In addition, Director David Nobbs, who is also Chairman of Pulse Canada, is retiring from the board in January after serving 6 years. The next most senior director, Vice Chairman Dwayne Moore, will see his three year term expire in January, and has declined to let his name stand for re-election. Two of the remaining four Directors have less than two years experience, and two have less than one year experience on the SPG Board.
Buhr, Moen and Vandenberg will strive to continue the development and expansion of a strong and profitable pulse industry in Saskatchewan. All three candidates will work hard to ensure good governance at the SPG board table. They will endeavour to maintain a strong working relationship among SPG, the Crop Development Centre, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, and the pulse trade. The three candidates will work with fellow directors to change the governance of Pulse Canada and relocate it from Manitoba to Saskatchewan where 80% of Canada’s pulses are grown. Pulse Canada receives close to 70% of its core industry funding from SPG, amounting to nearly $4 million in the past five years, however SPG does not have the majority of directors on the Pulse Canada board.
Buhr and Moen were previously six-year Directors and served as Board Chairs. Dr. Vandenberg is the principal pulse crop development specialist at the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan and has been providing new varieties to growers for the past 20 years. He was also one of the architects of the highly successful Variety Release Program. He has previously served as advisor to the SPG Board, as well as to growers, exporters and the Saskatchewan government. He was instrumental in developing the red lentil and chickpea crops and is now focussed on faba beans for the north eastern area of Saskatchewan. As the Crop Development Centre also grows pulses and pays levy on the commercial peas they produce, Vandenberg is eligible to run as a candidate and serve on the board.
“Having Dr. Vandenberg run for our board is a wonderful opportunity for growers to capitalize on his passion, innovation and knowledge for the pulse industry” says candidate Jim Moen. “Pulse growers should not miss this opportunity to elect Bert to the SPG Board”.
Pulse industry leaders and past board members have nominated Shawn Buhr, Jim Moen and Dr. Bert Vandenberg for election to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Board. The candidates ask pulse growers to support them during the election which is now underway. Ballots have been mailed out and should be received by all Saskatchewan pulse growers the week of November 7th.
For more information please contact:
Jim Moen, Cabri cell (306) 587-7452 office (306) 587-2214 jim.moen@sasktel.net
Dr. Bert Vandenberg, Saskatoon cell (306) 221-2039 office (306) 966-8786 vandenberg@sasktel.net
Shawn Buhr, Lucky Lake cell (306) 858 7256 office (306) 858-2408 srbuhr@sasktel.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Issued by: Election Candidates Buhr, Moen and Vandenberg
Shawn Buhr of Lucky Lake, Jim Moen of Cabri, and Dr. Bert Vandenberg of Saskatoon are asking producers to support them as they seek to fill three open positions on the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) Board.
The three candidates offer a wealth of experience and integrity to help guide the seven member SPG Board through a delicate transition period where experienced leadership is being lost. Over the past 6 months, the board has seen the early departure of Chairman Murray Purcell and Executive Director Garth Patterson, who both provided excellent service to the pulse industry. In addition, Director David Nobbs, who is also Chairman of Pulse Canada, is retiring from the board in January after serving 6 years. The next most senior director, Vice Chairman Dwayne Moore, will see his three year term expire in January, and has declined to let his name stand for re-election. Two of the remaining four Directors have less than two years experience, and two have less than one year experience on the SPG Board.
Buhr, Moen and Vandenberg will strive to continue the development and expansion of a strong and profitable pulse industry in Saskatchewan. All three candidates will work hard to ensure good governance at the SPG board table. They will endeavour to maintain a strong working relationship among SPG, the Crop Development Centre, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, and the pulse trade. The three candidates will work with fellow directors to change the governance of Pulse Canada and relocate it from Manitoba to Saskatchewan where 80% of Canada’s pulses are grown. Pulse Canada receives close to 70% of its core industry funding from SPG, amounting to nearly $4 million in the past five years, however SPG does not have the majority of directors on the Pulse Canada board.
Buhr and Moen were previously six-year Directors and served as Board Chairs. Dr. Vandenberg is the principal pulse crop development specialist at the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan and has been providing new varieties to growers for the past 20 years. He was also one of the architects of the highly successful Variety Release Program. He has previously served as advisor to the SPG Board, as well as to growers, exporters and the Saskatchewan government. He was instrumental in developing the red lentil and chickpea crops and is now focussed on faba beans for the north eastern area of Saskatchewan. As the Crop Development Centre also grows pulses and pays levy on the commercial peas they produce, Vandenberg is eligible to run as a candidate and serve on the board.
“Having Dr. Vandenberg run for our board is a wonderful opportunity for growers to capitalize on his passion, innovation and knowledge for the pulse industry” says candidate Jim Moen. “Pulse growers should not miss this opportunity to elect Bert to the SPG Board”.
Pulse industry leaders and past board members have nominated Shawn Buhr, Jim Moen and Dr. Bert Vandenberg for election to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Board. The candidates ask pulse growers to support them during the election which is now underway. Ballots have been mailed out and should be received by all Saskatchewan pulse growers the week of November 7th.
For more information please contact:
Jim Moen, Cabri cell (306) 587-7452 office (306) 587-2214 jim.moen@sasktel.net
Dr. Bert Vandenberg, Saskatoon cell (306) 221-2039 office (306) 966-8786 vandenberg@sasktel.net
Shawn Buhr, Lucky Lake cell (306) 858 7256 office (306) 858-2408 srbuhr@sasktel.net
Comment