WINNIPEG – The Canadian Seed Institute is looking for guinea pigs.
The new trade organization will be taking over some quality assurance programs traditionally run by Agriculture Canada over the next few years.
So Jim McCullagh, interim manager, said the institute wants to make sure its training and procedures work for small and large seed growers alike.
McCullagh told the annual meeting of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association that he wants 50 operations to volunteer for the process.
McCullagh said he’s looking for small family operations and larger registered seed establishments from across the country.
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The institute will train participants and help them write quality manuals for their seed operations this fall.
They will then go through an audit to ensure their operations meet institute standards.
The volunteers will also pay fees to the institute for its services. But in 1997, when all registered seed establishments start the process and pay fees, the pilot project volunteers will be given a discount.
McCullagh said institute fees will be the same as seed growers now pay to Agriculture Canada for its services. Most will end up paying between $300 and $350 per year.
