b'PROFILESheri Strydhorst is now an agronomy research specialist with Alberta Wheat and Barley commissions. PHOTO: MEGAN EVANS OF ALBERTA WHEAT AND BARLEY COMMISSIONSA New AdventureSheri Strydhorst is charging ahead at her new job with Albert Wheat and Barley.FOR SHERI STRYDHORST her passion is helping farmers I knew that that Sheri would be perfect for that role. She giving them the information they need to grow the best cropsalready had experience running small plot trials. And she knew they can. Which is why a new job at Alberta Wheat and Barleythe players, she was incredibly organized, and she was already commissions was the perfect fit for her. coordinating one of the trial sites. We really needed a unicorn in After the provincial government decided to get out ofthat position and Sheri is that unicorn, Lauren Comin, director research, I was really struggling to find the ideal fit for myof research for Alberta Wheat and Barley commissions, says in applied research program within this new reality that wasa phone interview about her thoughts when she saw Strydhorst research in Alberta. And I really wanted a position where Ihad applied for the job.could work and focus on serving farmer needs, Strydhorst says in a phone interview. Falling in Love with AgFor seven years, Strydhorst had worked as an agronomyWhile it may seem like ag and Strydhorst are the perfect fit, it research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF).wasnt always that way. Strydhorst grew up in St. Albert, Alta., While at AAF, she conducted Regional Variety Trails (RVT), asand her father would tell her stories of growing up on a farm well as cereal crop agronomy research. After the provincialin Saskatchewan in the 1950s. For the most part throughout government announced it would be winding down itsher childhood, she didnt think much about ag or if there was a agricultural research work, Strydhorst found herself transferredfuture for her with it.to the University of Alberta to continue her work. However, sheAfter high school, Strydhorst enrolled at Concordia College wasnt working as closely with farmers, and she missed it.and then the University of Alberta where she planned to study With the provincial government getting out of the agto be a geneticist. She quickly found she saw little value in research game, the provincial commodity commissions foundcounting fruit flies and transferred to the agriculture faculty. themselves taking a more active role in research work. At theThats where I thought genetics had a very clear commercial Alberta Wheat and Barley commissions, this change meant theyapplication, such as breeding new wheat varieties, etc. needed someone to run their RVT program, so they posted aStrydhorst explains. job looking for an entry level extension, KTP specialist and RVTWhile completing her bachelor of science degree, Strydhorst coordinator. met her husband Shane, who had grown up on a farm in 110seed.ab.ca'