Carey Matthiessen, Laboratory Manager, Purity and Germination Analyst
Hello everybody:
I started out in agriculture by scratching a meager wage out of the dirt at a local market garden at the tender age of 16 during the summer months. This wasn’t quite enough to drive the agricultural bug out of my system, so once I left high school, I followed one of my dreams to work on a ranch. I moved to Calgary, where I found a job working as a farm hand for a century ranch called Colpitts Ranches. It was a unique experience, with 8 houses for staff directly on the ranch and over 400 head of cattle.
I raised calves for a living and spent much of my time on horseback against the surreal backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Working 16 hour days on back busting labour was, surprisingly, one of the best experiences of my life. However, knowing that I needed to move on and having completed one of my life goals, I moved back to the area I grew up in, and started working for a seed lab in Camrose, Alberta. I spent two years working and training as a Seed Analyst for Alberta Wheat Pool. During this time, I also became a crop inspector for CFIA, as some of you may recognize me from visiting your farms!
Then…the travelling bug bit me.
I left for Australia and New Zealand in the fall to live and work for a year. During this time, I traveled spontaneously, worked at hostels and farms, tried not to wear shoes, etc. It was an amazing experience that saw me return home ready to settle. I have been at 20/20 Seed Labs since 2005, receiving my full accreditation in 2007. I am now a Senior Analyst, an accredited crop inspector, accredited grader, and have recently taken on the responsibility of Lab Management. I am lucky enough to work in a field that I love and embrace all of the challenges that agricultural life brings.
Email me at carey@2020seedlabs.ca if you have any seed quality questions or just want to say ‘Hello’.
