b"have your bulk storage facility licensing? You need to have gone through the schooling and have the certification. That is something I didn't know, going into being a seed grower. I didn't know that was even an aspect of it. I was learning all of this stuff after the fact, she explains.Learning the ins and outs of the industry on the spot was challenging for Hoyme, but it prepared her to become an excellent president of ASG when the opportunity arose. After acting as co-vice president of the group in 2018, Hoyme was elected president in 2019 where she served for two years. Hoyme made it her mission to provide all of the means necessary for newer seed growers to excel in the industry, making sure no grower felt lost or unprepared as she once had. I wanted to be that voice for the new seed growers that are coming into the industry. When I first joined the board, most of the board members had experience in the bag. They didn't have that point of view of first coming on, and what the new hurdles and roadblocks were for me starting out. That really helped the board understand some of the changes we could make because I was a new seed grower. I was just going through all of this stuff, says Hoyme.Her relatability and emphasis on connection with members made Hoyme a unique president that brought something different to the leadership role than many of her predecessors.It helped the other growers realize that there are these gaps in our education of seed growers. It's not just growing a crop or getting a crop certification. There are all these other aspects that go into it. There are these other aspects to being a seed growerRenee Hoyme, former Alberta Seed Growers president, stands next to a field at that I wasn't aware of when I started, and I hope that bringingher family farm DeWindt Farms in Thorhild, Alta. Photo: Renee Hoymethat knowledge forward has helped other new seed growers coming into the industry, she adds. Whats Next for Hoyme?While Hoyme was able to adapt, it wasnt without the supportSince joining the board, Hoyme has had three children and of her family and various mentors in the industry.is now working towards completing her probation plot status. I have a great support system with my parents. Some days areThe process takes two to three years to become a certified plot more hectic than others, but some days, we just roll with it, shegrower and allows growers to grow the highest generation of confesses. seed available, providing them early access to new genetics. Two of the mentors and past ASG presidents that HoymeHoyme will achieve plot grower status this year. gives recognition to for her success are Glenn Logan, nationalHoyme and her husband are gearing up to take over the director of the Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers (ABCSG),family farm in the next year or two to allow Hoymes parents to and Ward Oatway, owner of Oatways Seed Farm Ltd. retireGeoff has been mentoring under Renees father for the She is an intelligent young woman, very capable, energeticlast five to six years. While the DeWindts will pass the torch to and passionate about the seed industry. Renee proved I wastheir daughter and son-in-law, just like Renee, the family farm right. In her term as a directorand eventually as president will always be an imperative part of their lives.she did an admirable job, and at the same time raised a family,My parents will never leave the farm. It's in their blood. It's shares Logan in an email interview. in their genetics. I don't think you'll ever get my mom and dad Working with Renee while on the board was always a treat.off the farm. Theyll always be there to help us, which were so She was open to new ideas, with a strong decisiveness thatgrateful forto have that support and knowledge to fall back always kept things moving, both in the meetings and as anon, says Hoyme.organization as a whole. Her energy is always infectious andWhile Hoymes path wasnt always clear, it led her to gaining a makes it easy to keep focus on what's important in the industry.breadth of experience, a successful family and respect within in It's not a wonder she is liked and respected by seed growersthe Canadian agriculture industry.across the country, adds Oatway in an interview.Ally Roden24seed.ab.ca"