By Joel van der Veen

HANLEY — Cam Goff said his desire to see the needs of farmers put ahead of corporate interests is the driving force behind his run for re-election to the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley).

With the demise of the Canadian Wheat Board and the provincial wheat pools, Goff said, farmers have lost many of the institutions that gave them a voice in the industry.

“There’s really nowhere (left) where farmers can basically elect representatives to speak up for them and represent their interests,” he said, adding that provincial commissions like SaskBarley have an essential role to play.

Goff, one of seven candidates who have put their names forward to fill three positions on the commission board, is fronting a campaign that has involved newspaper and radio advertising.

Part of the first SaskBarley producer-elected board of directors that took office in January 2014, Goff said he wants to continue the work of establishing a “farmer-controlled” barley commission.

Some farmers may have faith that corporations can be trusted to respect their interests, but Goff said that’s not realistic.

“I absolutely do not believe that’s the case,” he said. “Corporate interests look out for corporations. That’s their job.”

Goff, 60, operates a family farm near Hanley with his two brothers and mother, comprised of 4,000 acres cropped with malt barley, canola, spring and winter wheat, oats, flax and peas.

He began farming in 1975 following his graduation from Kelsey Institute (now the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus in Saskatoon) with a degree in renewable sources. He and his wife Bev have three grown children.

Previously he had served as a director of the Canadian Wheat Board from 2008 to 2011, also sitting on the board of the Western Grains Research Foundation.

Goff said the experience had given him a broad knowledge of the industry, which he had carried over to his term with SaskBarley.

While serving on the commission, Goff said he has worked toward two primary concerns: addressing ongoing transportation problems and promoting a farmer-led variety development system.

For the full story, please see the Nov. 30 edition of The Davidson Leader.