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Four producers named to Sask Wheat board of directors

The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) welcome one new and three incumbent directors to its board following a summer-long nomination period.

First-time director Cameron Reich will join returning directors Lesley Kelly, Jocelyn Velestuk and Glenn Tait on the Sask Wheat board of directors. Each director will serve a four-year term, with Kelly, Velestuk and Tait continuing into their second consecutive terms. The terms of the four directors will begin Jan. 9, 2024, following the Sask Wheat annual general meeting.

Reich farms east of Craik, Sask., where he is the fourth generation to produce grain on his family’s grain farm and is a part-time adjuster for the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation. He has previous experience working for a grain terminal in Davidson, along with experience working for an agricultural technology business that operates throughout Western Canada.

Kelly farms with her family at Watrous, Sask., where they grow wheat, canola and lentils. She is the farmer behind the High Heels & Canola Fields blog where she dispels myths about agriculture and brings consumers and farmers together. Kelly’s goal in being involved in her community and agriculture is to create conversation, collaborate and identify solutions that help make agriculture and the community stronger.

Velestuk is part owner of Velestuk Farms Inc., a family operation she runs with her husband and his parents. Her farm is a mixed operation focusing on practices that improve the soil and are based on sound agronomy to help create a more sustainable farm business. Velestuk, who has worked as an agronomist, has a background in research due to her master’s degree in soil science from the University of Saskatchewan.

Tait farms on land his great-grandfather homesteaded on near Meota, Sask., in 1903. He has been farming full-time since receiving his agriculture (crop science) degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1985. He has served on numerous organizations, including his rural municipality council, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan’s Crop Committee and the National Farmers Union.

The four will join sitting directors Brett Halstead, who serves as board chair, Jake Leguee, who serves as vice-chair, Scott Hepworth and Rob Stone.