UNITY--Harvest at the Kondratowicz Farms, south of Unity, was extra special for Unity Second World War veteran, Silas Campbell. That’s because Campbell got to experience, first-hand, a wheat crop being combined that included a new seed variety from FP Genetics, named in his honour.
Each year FP Genetics brings four or five new seed varieties to the market. Naming new seed types includes numbers not names. Variety names must be unique, no- duplicated and not offensive in other languages or cultures.
“In 2021, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command, FP Genetics began using the names of military and RCMP veterans to name new seed varieties,” explains Shaynne Corbett of FP Genetics. “The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command accepts applications from family members which are then provided to FP Genetics for selection.”
Since its inception, the program has named 13 new crop varieties after deserving veterans. Corbett says that FP Genetics and the Legion understand the importance of honouring past sacrifices and acknowledging the courage of those who served and still serve today.
“CDC Silas was registered for commercial production in the spring of 2021,” Corbett says.
FP Genetics said their primary concern was that the naming process should be carried out respectfully and not be perceived as a marketing gimmick, with the priority being to try and recognize Second World War veterans who are still alive.
FP Genetics is owned by more than 160 local seed growers, dedicated to providing superior seed genetics to Western Canadian farmers. Their portfolio includes more than 60 certified seed varieties of various crop types including wheat, durum, barley, oats, flax, pulses and hybrid fall rye.
The 2022 harvest of CDC Silas wheat brought much gratitude to veteran Campbell, who experienced first-hand the harvest of grain named in his honour as well as much excitement to those who also experienced Campbell’s reaction and involvement in the wheat’s harvest.
Campbell was also honoured earlier in 2022 with a Quilts of Valour presentation https://www.sasktoday.ca/north/unity-wilkie-press-herald/wwii-veteran-honoured-with-canadian-quilt-of-valour-5395660
