An agriculturist who paved the way for pea growers in the Lakeland has been honoured by the Alberta Pulse Growers. Kirsty Ross (Piquette) has been given the fifth annual “Industry Innovator Award” from the group. She was working in the St. Paul area back in the 80’s when she organized field trials of field pea crops. Ross was spurred on by the nitrogen content the crop put back in the soil as well as the high number of hog farms in the area.
Today the St. Paul area is part of Alberta Pulse Growers Zone 5. Ross says she’s humbled by the recognition and feels it was a team effort.
“By proving the crop could be grown and marketed successfully in the area, growers became interested. It was a team effort, but I guess I was the catalyst. I was able to bring everyone together. I always wondered what else we could grow up there (near St. Paul) and peas seemed to be a great fit.”
The award was handed out at the Alberta Pulse Growers AGM. Ross now calls Edmonton home where she works with her company KG Consulting.