Innotech Alberta Invites Community for Field Day

Innotech Alberta Invites Community for Field Day

Emily Mailhot Reporter – Vegreville News Advertiser

On July 25, close to 170 registered guests braved the cold for the rare chance to venture out on a field day and crop tour at the Innotech Alberta research facility west of Vegreville.

Clad in rain gear and curiosity, the participants crowded the shelter of the office foyer as early as 8:30 a.m. to grab a cup of coffee and network with others at the event. Some of those in attendance included Agriculture industry representatives such as agronomy firms, hemp, barley, and canola farmers, and hemp and cannabis industry representatives. Among these was Chromtec CBD Pruification Inc. CEO Eric Cong, who is heading the project to open the Chromtec cannabis plant in Vegreville.

Innotech Alberta Head of Research, Jan Slaski, said that he was happy to see so many guests at the field day this year, including dignitaries Mayor Tim MacPhee of Vegreville, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, and CEO Alberta Laura Kilcrease, and excited to show them what the facility has to offer to the agricultural community at large.

This event is sold out, and I think that very many people showed up today,” said Slaski, “As always, our plant sciences team has put together presentations… This field day is not only to show the results of our great work but to show you that we are working with the industry, for the industry.”

CEO of Innotech Alberta Laura Kilcrease was also in attendance for a portion of the day. About the work at the Vegreville facility, she stated that the company could not be happier with the level of thorough, innovative research they conduct.

“Today, I am honoured to welcome you to our facility, where we will be showing an intersection between technology and agriculture,” said Kilcrease, “It’s events like today where I’m so pleased to see entrepreneurs and growers come together, where farmers get opportunities to see our research, and where innovation and new business opportunities are discovered.”

From industrial hemp plant variety testing to crop disease research, the tour ventured out by bus through the fields around Innotech’s land to receive presentations from Innotech staff, collaborators, and clients, Jan Slaski, Byron James Ralph Lange, Ludovic Copo-Chichi, Joseph Nyachiro , Dean Kupchenko, Marshall McKenzie, Rod Werezuk, Susie Li, and Rod Werezuk.

Though some presentations were cut short due to rainy and windy weather conditions, the presenters managed to keep their concise presentations jam-packed with plenty of information for the guests to take home and apply to their work.

The field day continued all day, with a break for lunch and “Lunch Trivia” led by Jan Slaski.