GrainsWest Fall 2020

Fall 2020 Grains West 32 The RDAR model is largely based on a white paper authored by Comin that advocated for the creation of an arm’s length agency directed by farmers that would set research priorities. A NEW RESEARCH ENTITY RDAR is now overseen by its interim board of directors appointed by Dreeshen. Tom Steve, Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions general manager, is vice-chair of RDAR’s interim board. The organization’s 33 voting members represent farm groups and industry associations. An 11-member permanent board will be elected by voting members in the first quarter of 2021. Crop and livestock groups will nominate seven board members, while candidates for the remaining four seats will be nominated by the board based on expertise and skill sets yet to be determined. Interim board Photo:CourtesyofRDAR The RDAR interim board of directors, pictured here, works with 33 voting members and a 50-member advisory committee. members may stand for election to the permanent board. The RDAR board will be assisted by a 50-member advisory committee made up of farmers and representatives of post- secondary institutions and other research entities. Steve is co-chair of the advisory committee. An industry co-chair will be chosen from the advisory committee members. The committee will have no governing power but will provide expertise and advice to the board. “We recognize that for RDAR and this advisory committee to be successful, we need everyone to understand that they need to take a broad view of agriculture,” said Chalack. “There has to be a willingness to come to a consensus.” The advisory committee held a series of sessions over a three-week period in late August to develop RDAR’s initial research priorities, which are mainly focused on the productivity and competitiveness of Alberta’s agriculture industry. “We had close to 100 per cent participation in the committee from the 50 member groups at the beginning of harvest, which tells us there is strong support for this groundbreaking model for ag research,” said Steve. The initial priorities were adopted by the RDAR board. NIP AND TUCK The establishment of RDAR comes against a backdrop of cuts to AF. About 50 extension staff and researchers were let go in December 2019. A further 277 positions were slated to be cut by Oct. 15 of this year. “We have identified areas in which we think we can offer front-line services better or areas of the department that weren’t performing,” said Dreeshen. FEATURE