I hope by the time you have this issue of Grainews in your hands, harvest has wrapped up successfully and you are enjoying the fruits of your labours from the past season. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for inviting Grainews into your homes season after season, year after year.
Steering this ship that is Grainews has been an honour for me. I believe it is something special in our industry, as are the farmers who phone, email and write to me, our contributors and columnists about the features we’re working on and crop production on their own farms. It has been a pleasure for me to get to know our readers and provide the content they are asking for.
What I am leading up to is the very difficult decision to retire as an ag journalist and editor. And to acknowledge the privilege of heading up one of the most respected and beloved publications in Western Canada. I have learned much in the almost four years since joining the Grainews team, and I have worked with some of the best agrologists, soil scientists, plant pathologists and other industry stakeholders in the Prairies. I offer a hearty thank you to everyone who I have crossed paths or worked with as the editor of Grainews.
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I am retiring from Grainews to spend some time improving my health. I have had a chronic vestibular condition for years now, but this past year has been the worst by far. I sympathize with anyone who is living with a chronic illness. There isn’t one area of your life that is not affected. Moving into the busy season for Grainews, I felt it best for the publication for me to step aside and let another editor, also passionate about ag, to take the reins. And that is the one good bit of news I have for you.
I am happy to announce veteran ag journalist and editor Dave Bedard will be leading the efforts at Grainews to put leading crop production strategies and practices into your hands.
There is no one I can think of who is more suited to the editor’s role. In fact, longtime readers may remember Dave as the managing editor of Grainews in past years. Here are some fun facts about Dave.
Dave was raised on a grain and hog farm in northeastern Saskatchewan. He has a BA in journalism from the University of Regina, including an internship at CJME/Z99. He worked as a newspaper reporter in Melville and then Moose Jaw before moving to Winnipeg in 1993. There, he freelanced for newspapers and magazines, including Grainews, before joining the Grainews team as an editorial assistant in 1996. Since then, he has been the managing editor of Grainews and the Manitoba Co-operator. For the past 16 years, he has been the editor of daily news for AGCanada.com.
And, should it come up, he says he’s not related to Connor Bedard in any way he’s aware of 😆.
One thing I would like to add is his 30 years in Winnipeg has not converted him from a Saskatchewan Roughriders to a Blue Bombers fan. That’s OK. Nobody’s perfect.
I am delighted to say I am leaving you in good hands.
Once again, it has been an honour and a privilege to serve you as the editor of Grainews. Best wishes to you and Dave for health, happiness and success.
Take care,
Kari
