This article appeared in the Fall 2014 issue of Pulse Crop News.

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission has seen many innovators in its first quarter century or so. All of those early adopters who were brave enough to take a chance on a crop that was new for Alberta were pioneers for the emerging pulse industry.

In celebration of our first 25 years as an industry organization, APG will comb through the many worthy selections and select one person as the recipient of the inaugural Alberta Pulse Growers Industry Innovator Award. This accolade will recognize the efforts of a person or group that has contributed to the pulse industry in a unique or innovative way.

APG President Richard Krikke, a Neerlandia pulse grower, was pleased to have the opportunity to honour people who have advanced Alberta’s pulse industry with their hard work and innovation.

“There are so many individuals and organizations that have strengthened our growing industry with their progressive thinking and tireless efforts,” he said. “The presentation of the first Industry Innovator Award in January will launch an annual process of recognizing the contributions of noteworthy individuals and organizations.”

An industry innovator is a person who has worked to help nurture and shape the pulse industry and helped contribute to the success of the industry as it is today. Innovators may have contributed to the industry through various areas from production, marketing, research, extension, processing, management, promotion and innovation.

Nominate someone you admire today at http://pulse.ab.ca/news/article/pulseindustry-innovator-award. Forms must be completed and received by 4 pm on October 31, 2014.

The first APG Innovator Award will be presented at the Annual General Meeting in January 2015.