b"VIEWPOINTSA New Research RealityWhat is RDAR and what does it mean for agriculture research work in Alberta?Editors note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. TOM STEVE, vice-chair of the interim board of Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR), gives Alberta Seed Guide readers an in-depth look at exactly what this new research organization is and how agriculture research work funding will be handled in Alberta moving forward. Steve is the general manager of the Alberta Wheat Commission and Alberta Barley. He has spent years serving farmers across Alberta and representing their priorities to those inside and outside of the agriculture world.Alberta Seed Guide (ASG): In general, what is RDAR?Tom Steve (TS): The genesis of Results Driven Agriculture Research goes back to the campaign promise by the United Conservative Party in the last electionto move funding decisions for research into the hands of farmers and ranchers So, to shift the emphasis towards the producer need over what the government policy priorities might be at any given time and to focus more on productivity and competitiveness. ASG: How is RDAR set up? Tom Steve, vice-chair of the interim board of Results Driven Agriculture Research. TS: RDAR was initially established through a grant under thePHOTO: TOM STEVECanadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP), through a grant that was administered by the Alberta Barley Commission. A $2permanent board of directors at an annual general meeting that million CAP grant to essentially get the organization up andwe expect will be held in March 2021. So ultimately, the farm running That allowed RDAR to assemble the resourcesorganizations through their representatives will determine the through consultants primarily, and also staff from thedirection of RDAR. agriculture ministry to get the organization up and runningThe permanent board will consist of up to 11 members. Seven and pay the expenses of directors and all the normal thingsof those will be nominated from the membership and elected that you would look for in the establishment of an organization,at an AGM, and four other directors will be nominated by the hire legal resources, and so on. By July 22, 2020, RDAR wasexisting board of directors and also elected by members.incorporated as a federal not-for-profit corporation. And that has allowed the organization to be fully up and running.ASG: What government programs/research has RDAR Only about $600,000 of that $2 million dollar CAP grant wastaken over from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry?used by the Alberta Barley Commission in the start-up phase,TS: There will be a number of programs that will be we've signed that back to RDAR actually to continue to establishadministered by RDAR going forward. For example, the transfer the organization Moving forward though the $37 million aof certain research scientists and capacity over to the University year funding agreement with the government of Alberta willof Alberta, predominantly in crop and livestock research. allow RDAR to be fully functional. Transfer of certain functions from the Ministry over to the University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College, that will involve ASG:How does RDAR include farmers? transfer responsibility for the Alberta Irrigation Technology TS: The class A membership of RDAR consists of 33 farmCentre and certain functions of the Brooks Research Station. organizations representing all the crop commissions, theAnd then the barley breeding program at the Field Crop livestock commissions and membership-based farmDevelopment Center in Lacombe will be transferred to the organizations in Alberta. Those 33 organizations will elect theresponsibility of Olds College. 20seed.ab.ca"