Founded in the late 1970s, the Field Crop Development Center has a new home and a new name: Western Crop Innovations. With funding from the Alberta government, the rebranded nonprofit will focus on agricultural research and crop development.
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation says the new structure will “revitalize the organization, advance a new vision, and better position Alberta to meet the needs of the agriculture industry.”
Officially, starting April 1, WCI will take over FCDC’s research, including the barley breeding program. Current programs will be reviewed and transitioned as needed to ensure crop innovations support the needs of Alberta farmers now and in the future, Alberta said.
In the first year, $3.2 million of WCI’s $3.5 million budget will be provided through the Government of Alberta.
The Field Crop Development Center has been established and operated within Olds College since 2019.
“Olds College is pleased that funding for barley breeding in the state will continue and is proud of the role it played in leading FCDC (now WCI) for the past three years and in its important efforts. ” said the spokesperson. “Under our leadership, FCDC has developed and released numerous high-performance varieties, and this is just one example of the many successes we have enjoyed together. Although this is a temporary opportunity to assist with management support during the development phase, we look forward to a long-term relationship with WCI as we collaborate on annual AgSmart events, applied research, and other areas. doing.”
WCI’s Interim Board of Directors, comprised of government and industry representatives, will lead the organization’s transition process. The new model includes integrated funding that brings together government, industry and higher education institutions.
Producer Jason Lentz has been appointed interim chairman of the board. Darcy Hilgartner will serve as vice chair and represent results-driven agricultural research. Fred Roseman, former finance chairman of Alberta Beef Producers, and John Conrad, assistant secretary for agriculture and irrigation, serve as members of the board of directors. Hear from John Conrad about what’s next for research and expansion at WCI and in Alberta.
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