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The Results Driven Agriculture Research organization has announced its Board of Directors. (Photo: Andreyyalansky19 | Dreamstime.com)
results driven agriculture research

Agricultural research investment board elects new members

Jan 25, 2024 | 7:43 PM

An investment group that funds agricultural research in Alberta has a newly elected board.

Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) announced its election results Thursday.

“RDAR congratulates all directors and welcomes David Hoekstra to the board. David is a well-known figure within Alberta’s agricultural and greenhouse community and is superbly qualified to serve on RDAR’s board,” states Dr. Mark Redmond, RDAR CEO. “I also wish to thank the members who nominated candidates, stood for election, and voted.”

Dr. David Chalack, from Calgary, was re-elected as chair, while Camrose native D’Arcy Hilgartner will serve as vice-chair.

David Hoekstra, from Medicine Hat, was nominated by the Alberta Greenhouse Growers and will become the group’s director for the first time.

Hoekstra is Vice President of Big Marble Farms, the Director of Medicine Hat College, and serves in a variety of other board roles.

There are also a couple central Albertans on the board, including JP Brouwer of Ponoka. Brouwer has sat on committees such as the Alberta Milk Research and Extension Committee, Dairy Research Extension Consortium of Alberta, the Western Dairy Research and Extension Council and as Director for the Alberta Milk Board.

As well, Bentley’s Jason Lenz will sit on the board. Nominated by Alberta Grains, Lenz, among other things, has served on various regional agriculture advisory councils such as ALUS Canada Lacombe County and AgSmart Olds.

The full 2024-25 Board of Directors are as follows:

  • Dr. Stanford Blade, RDAR Board Nominated (2021), Edmonton
  • Brian Brewin, Alberta Potato Growers Association Nominated (2023), Taber
  • JP Brouwer,
 Alberta Milk Nominated (2021), Ponoka
  • Dr. David Chalack, RDAR Board Nominated (2022), Calgary
  • D’Arcy Hilgartner, Alberta Pulse Nominated (2021), Camrose
  • David Hoekstra, Alberta Greenhouse Growers Nominated (2023), Medicine Hat
  • Steve Kenyon, ARECA Nominated (2023), Busby
  • Jason Lenz, Alberta Grains Nominated (2022), Bentley
  • Dr. Fred Lozeman,
Alberta Beef Producers Nominated (2021), Claresholm
  • Josie Van Lent, Alberta Canola Commission Nominated (2022), Vermilion

The RDAR’s mandate is to target strategic investments in producer-led, results-driven agriculture research that focuses on profitability, productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability.

For bios on all board members, visit rdar.ca.

(with files from David Opinko/Lethbridge News Now)