The newly minted executive teams of both the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions will be working toward full amalgamation over the course of their terms.
The Alberta Wheat Commission announced its new executive team on Jan. 26 with the appointment of Greg Sears as chair, Jason Lenz as vice-chair, and Shawn Jacula as second vice-chair.
“Over the next few months, we look forward to building a well-thought-out platform for the new commission to launch from,” said Greg Sears, who farms near Sexsmith. “As we continue to engage with Alberta Agriculture Products Marketing Council and producers on the final details related to an amalgamated organization, I am honoured to lead the organization in its remaining months as a single commission and keep Alberta farmers’ interests front and centre.”
In December, the Alberta Barley Commission also revealed its last independent executive team prior to amalgamation this summer. It was announced on Dec. 8 that Tara Sawyer, who farms near Acme, will continue her role as chair, while Roy Newman, who farms near Blackie, will continue to serve as vice-chair.
“I continue to be honoured by the board’s vote of confidence in my ability to serve Alberta barley farmers as Chair,” Sawyer said at the time. “During this critical time period of transitioning into one commission by the end of our fiscal year, the board understood the importance of maintaining leadership stability.”
In November 2022, the two commissions received the results of two amalgamation plebiscites where a majority of eligible producers voted in favour of formally merging the AWC and Alberta Barley. Formal amalgamation of the two commissions with an interim board of directors is slated for August 2023, pending the Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation Minister’s approval of new governing regulations for the conjoined Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission.
The two commissions, which will soon be one, represent all the barley and wheat growers in Alberta, and work to influence government agriculture policy and advocate for the interests of their members.
