Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) is pleased to announce that Wayne Thompson will be the new Executive Director of WGRF. Thompson will replace Garth Patterson, who is retiring from the position in December 2022 after 11 years.

“We are pleased to welcome Wayne to his new role with WGRF,” says WGRF Board Chair Dr. Keith Degenhardt. “We believe Wayne’s background and experience in agriculture research and his education make him uniquely suited to serve as the WGRF Executive Director.”

Wayne has been the Executive Director for the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission for the past 8 years and managing the Flax Council of Canada as President for the past 2 years. Prior to that, Thompson worked as a Research Program Manager for WGRF, giving him a great understanding of the organization. He has held previous positions with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture in the Policy Branch and was the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association. Thompson will assume his new role with WGRF on December 1, 2022.

“I would like to thank the Board of Directors for this exciting opportunity,” says Thompson. “I am looking forward to the challenge. I have an engaged group of Directors and a tremendous team in the office to work with.  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.”

The WGRF Board also wishes to thank Garth Patterson for his outstanding work for the past 11 years. Garth’s leadership has been instrumental in helping to increase collaboration among research funders across western Canada, enabling WGRF to grow and evolve into the largest producer funder of crop research in Canada.