A familiar figure who has represented the Canadian Wheat Board at farm and industry meetings over the years is leaving the agency.
Earl Geddes, who has worked at the board since 1995, is moving to a new job as executive director of the Canadian International Grains Institute.
Geddes helped create the farmer relations area at the CWB and spent years trying to improve communication between the two.
“As a farmer, when I came to work here I said, ‘why don’t you tell farmers about what you do?’ ” he said in an interview. “I’ve always tried to help the staff and the organization understand farmers better, and ensure that farmers knew what the board does for them.”
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After working in farmer relations for many years, Geddes became vice-president of product development and marketing support.
He said he will miss the people he works with.
“I’ve worked with tremendous people,” he said. “There really is a commitment to serving farmers well and a desire to put more money into farmers’ pockets.”
In his new job at CIGI, Geddes will be in charge of an organization whose goal is to promote Canada’s field crops in domestic and international markets through education and technology.
The Winnipeg-based agency operates its own flour mill, pasta and noodle plants and bakery and works with buyers of Canadian wheat and other grains.
He said he has seen first-hand the tremendous impact CIGI has had on customers around the world in terms of their view of Canadian grain products.
“I hope to bring my understanding of the production and marketing of western Canadian field crops into the very strong technical group at CIGI and see if we can’t take it even further,” he said.
Cam Dahl, chair of CIGI’s board of directors, said Geddes will be a valuable addition to the organization.
“His skill and experience complement and build upon the existing expertise and knowledge housed within CIGI,” he said.
“He will help make a strong team stronger.”
Geddes will leave the board Sept. 1 and begin at CIGI Sept. 15.
