Jim Pietryk, 2009

August 6, 2009

As you l re-call when we were in school times in the ag sector were tough and farmers were facing falling incomes and uncertain markets. Records from the Manitoba Agriculture Annual Report indicate that farmland values fell to their lowest levels in decades through 1969 and 1970. Average land values in the province were reported to be $100 per acre.

Despite this environment we 69’ers set off in the world of work hoping our education would carry us along the way.

1969 was an important date in my personal life as well. In November that year I married Carol Kornek. We celebrate our 40th anniversary this fall. In 1977 Nancy, our first daughter joined the clan. Three years later she was joined by Kathryn. Carol retired from teaching in 2005 after 36 years with the Winnipeg School Division #1.

Highlights related to my working life include three distinct stops along the way. One was two oversea postings with CIDA, one in Zambia and the other Ghana. Second was 15 years with the Royal Bank’s Agricultural Department. Third was 12 years in producer and government relations at the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).

I describe my time with CIDA as supportive book-ends to my working life. In 1972-1973 in Lusaka, Zambia I was involved in Projects within the Crops Group in the Ministry’s Planning Unit. The focus was the National Oilseeds Development Program to provide emerging and commercial farmers alternatives to the maize economy and develop self-sufficiency in oilseed production. Of particular note were the people involved in the Planning Unit. Our own Bill Anderson and Hank Friso were officemates along with Aggies from Alberta – Peter Apedaile, Rodger Hughes and Dennis Bergeron.

Upon returning from Zambia I enrolled in the MSc. Program at the U of M. It was my good fortune to have the late Dr. Daryl Kraft as my advisor. He was not only a friend but also provided invaluable educational guidance.

At the Royal Bank I had the opportunity to work with Doug McRorie – sometimes referred to as the father of ag credit for chartered banks. You mayre-call that Doug was a guest speaker in Clay Gilson’s Capital and Credit course. At its peak the Royal Bank employed over 40 Aggies from coast-to-coast advising farmers and bank managers on the feasibility and capacity of their operations to grow and re-pay debt.

t the CWB as Manager of Government and Community Relations I was witness to the transformation of the CWB from the five-member Commissioner structure of leadership to a farmer-controlled organization with a 15-member board of directors, ten of whom are elected by farmers across Western CanadaThe role provided me with the opportunity to travel extensively in Western Canada, from the Peace River Area to Eastern Manitoba. Many farm meetings were held with heated discussion among farmers on the CWB and its future. These continue today. I also had the opportunity , with various Board members, to meet Ministers and MPs from all political parties. At the other end of the book-end my working career ended with a contract with CIDA. From 2005 to 2007 I was a Policy Advisor in the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Accra, Ghana. A great reward for our time in Accra is the new friends from all over the world that we made. The job providedthe opportunity to chair the Ag Donor Group for 18 months with agriculture reps from 12 countries.
I retired in January 2008. I enjoy my time with family, renovation projects, the cottage , curling and golf. I act as Treasurer of the Agriculture Institute of Canada Research Foundation. Life is good.

Thanks to Bill Anderson for taking on the big job of organizing the 69’ers for this 2009 reunion and for getting us to re-acquaint with each other in print.

Jim Pietryk