When Sarah Weigum of Three Hills stepped into her new role as president of the Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers (ABCSG), she inherited a strong foundation laid by her predecessors. But she’s not just planning to keep the seat warm—Weigum, 40, is already charting a course for the future of seed growing in the region.
“We’re in a really good place,” she says. “The previous presidents and executive did a fantastic job, and we’ve just wrapped up our strategic plan, so now we have some clear, measurable goals for the next few years.”
Weigum’s vision extends far beyond organizational housekeeping. She’s determined to strengthen the connection between ABCSG and its members—seed growers scattered across two provinces. While annual general meetings typically attract a strong turnout, she sees untapped potential in fostering deeper, more frequent engagement.
“We want to find new ways to connect with our growers, whether it’s on the farm or around a kitchen table,” she says. “It’s important that their voices are heard and that we’re constantly aligning our work with their needs.”
Weigum’s passion for the seed industry is palpable. Having joined the ABCSG board in 2021 during a turbulent time when the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) was considering merging with other seed organizations, Weigum felt compelled to advocate for seed growers to maintain an independent voice. As a seed grower herself (her family operates Alect Seeds and has been growing certified seed for over 40 years), she believes strongly in collaboration, but also values independence and the ability for seed growers to advocated for themselves.
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