Stuart Lawrence re-elected to Saskatchewan Pulse Growers board

EAGLE STAFF

Stuart Lawrence will continue working on behalf of pulse farmers after his recent re-election.

Lawrence, who farms south of Rosetown and sits on the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews council, received 506 votes to finish second in its November election, a Saskatchewan Pulse Growers statement said.

He’s currently the vice-chair of the growers’ board, chairs its governance committee, serves on its research and development committee and chairs Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan.

Robyn Henry of Hodgeville, who also returns to the board, collected 571 votes and newcomer Daniel Flynn from Lucky Lake got 338.

All three begin three-year terms on the board at the organization’s annual general meeting on Jan. 13 in Saskatoon

Brennen Luck of Tisdale received 247 votes so didn’t win one of the three seats available.

"Each elected member brings valuable experience, expertise and diverse perspectives that represent a wide range of growing regions across the province,” said Winston Van Staveren of Creelman, who chairs the board.

The board loses Dinsmore’s Brad Blackwell, whose maximum three consecutive terms end in January. Blackwell chaired the board and served with the national body, Pulse Canada.

“His contributions to the pulse industry and to Saskatchewan's pulse growers have been invaluable,” Van Staveren said.

The election drew a total of 1,662 votes from 671 pulse farmers, mostly through the online voting system, the statement said.

The growers annual general meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. on Jan 13. TheSaskatchewan Crops Forum, at the Western Development Museum on Jan. 13-14, includes five speaker sessions and the annual general meetings of three other provincial commodity groups - for oilseeds, wheat and barley.