Western Grains Research Foundation names new executive director. (Image: ID 96679335 © Artem Medvediev Dreamstime.com)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture research group selects new executive director

Aug 26, 2022 | 6:15 AM

MELFORT, SK — Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) has found its new executive director.

Wayne Thompson will lead the organization after having worked the past several years in many areas of the agriculture sector including WGRF.

WGRF Board Chair, Dr. Keith Degenhardt, said they are pleased to welcome Thompson to his new role with WGRF.

“We believe Wayne’s background and experience in agriculture research and his education make him uniquely suited to serve as the WGRF executive director,” Degenhardt said.

Thompson has been the executive director for the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission for the past eight years while also managing the Flax Council of Canada as president for the past two years.

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Prior to that, Thompson worked as a research program manager for WGRF. He has also held positions with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture in the Policy Branch and was the executive director of the Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association.

Thompson said he is grateful to the board of WGRF for the opportunity.

“I am looking forward to the challenge. I have an engaged group of directors and a tremendous team in the office to work with,” Thompson said. “WGRF is a leader in agriculture research, and I will work to ensure that WGRF continues to fund crop research to benefit western Canadian grain farmers.”

Thompson will assume his new role with WGRF on December 1, 2022. He will replace Garth Patterson, who is retiring from the position in December after 11 years.

WGRF is a farmer-funded and farmer-directed non-profit organization that invests money in agricultural research.

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