Dr. Harvey Brooks, long-serving general manager of the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat), has announced his retirement.
Brooks served as the general manager for Sask Wheat since 2014, and has seen the development of the organization from start-up commission to its full operations today.
During Brooks’ tenure, Sask Wheat has matured into a major research funder on behalf of Saskatchewan wheat producers and their full research portfolio has now reached $52 million of funding to facilitate more than $200 million in 209 research projects.
“Harvey has been instrumental in carrying out the policy decisions of the Board of Directors of Sask Wheat. He has represented Saskatchewan wheat producers in important policy debates such as the Canadian Transportation Act review, and currently on the Canadian Grain Act Review,” says Brett Halstead, chair of Sask Wheat. “Harvey’s depth of experience in the grains industry and producer relations has been extremely important in representing Saskatchewan wheat producers’ interests during the periods of significant change.”
“Sask Wheat has been very fortunate to have Harvey as its general manager from our initial growth stage up to our current operations, which encompass research funding, agronomy extension, policy development and communications,” says Bill Gehl, director at Sask Wheat director. “Harvey provided an experienced hand in developing a strong team at Sask Wheat that is implementing the vision and strategic direction of our producer-elected board of directors.”
Brooks was instrumental in the formation the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC), and in having Sask Wheat take on the administration of the Canadian National Wheat Cluster, which facilitates a $25 million collaborative research effort.
Also during Brooks’ tenure, the CWRC assumed joint funding of the Core Wheat Breeding Agreements for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and three Prairie universities, with an investment of approximately $34.6 million.
Brooks will remain with Sask Wheat until mid-October, 2021.
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