New Executive Director for SFSDC

The Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission (SFSDC) is excited to have a new Executive Director, Jo-Anne Relf-Eckstein.

As part of the transition, a big thank you is extended to Ray McVicar for his wonderful coaching, and efficient administration system, which has served the Saskatchewan forage seed producers for many years.

Jo-Anne was born and raised on a dairy farm in southeast Saskatchewan, where she was an active 4-H member in dairy and horse clubs. The Century farm that produced grains, oilseeds, and pulses, is no longer in the family but the memories remain. Following in the footsteps of her father and uncles, the University of Saskatchewan was the next step. After sitting in one class taught by a young, enthusiastic professor, she was hooked on soil science and completed a Bachelor of Science with a minor in agribusiness.

When the family farm was sold, her passion led to a career in plant breeding R&D and employment in public and private sector breeding programs. Jo-Anne's work with producer organizations and industry associations supported the oilseeds research teams in the development of specialty oil flax, herbicide-tolerant canola, condiment mustard varieties and inbred lines of Argentine canola with specialty oil and meal profiles. Having served on the board of the expert committee for variety registration helped her become familiar with governance. Interest in governance of producer-levy funded commodity organizations in SK, AB and MB led to a public policy graduate student thesis on smart farming, and investigating the opportunities and barriers for digital technology in prairie agriculture.

The board is looking forward to working with Jo-Anne and we welcome her to SFSDC.

Please contact her at:

J. Relf-Eckstein
#5 Eagle Ridge Road
Eagle Ridge, SK S7K 2L6
C: (306) 341-1347
P: (306) 343-1347