CALGARY, AB: The Western Canadian Wheat Growers are celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2020. As a part of their celebration activities, the history of the past 25 years has been described in a book, “Warriors for Wheat.” Over the next several weeks, each chapter will be highlighted.
Chapter 2 – Duality, Not Dismantling was an early strategy used by the Wheat Growers to provide marketing choice versus the single desk marketing through the Canadian Wheat Board.
As far back as the 1980’s, former President Wally Nelson advocated for a dual system, “With all due respect to our forefathers who fought for change 50 years ago, the system we have today has failed us miserably.”
The Wheat Growers released a paper, “Vision of a Reformed Canadian Wheat Board” which proposed transforming the CWB into a voluntary rather than mandatory marketing organization. In spite of broad farmer support for change, the newly elected Liberal government refused to embrace the new marketing possibilities.
“Warriors for Wheat” has captured the voices of the many people that shaped the way that grain farmers created change in their industry. This is a story well worth telling.” stated Clayton Kotylak, Saskatchewan Director.
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Interviews with Directors and “Warriors for Wheat” contributors are available through the contact info below.
About the Wheat Growers:
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2020, the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is a voluntary farmer-run advocacy organization dedicated to developing public policy solutions that strengthen the profitability and sustainability of farming, and the agricultural industry as a whole. The 50th anniversary book, “Warriors For Wheat” is available online: http://ghk.909.myftpupload.com/warriors-for-wheat/
For more information, please visit: wheatgrowers.ca
For More Information Contact:
Dave Quist, Executive Director
587-224-7221
dquist@wheatgrowers.ca