Busy Summer!

It's been a busy summer for CGI so far! This is my first posting in quite a while, so if you're wondering what's happening, here's your chance to catch up!

The IPM (integrated pest management) project on Bonsai trees in Vancouver is going well. We have also started a patent process for a client in Ottawa which is really quite interesting. Once the patent is pending, I'll be designing and implementing several experiments to test the limits of this botanical invention. Due to my NDAs (non-disclosure agreement) I'm not allowed to say much on either projects!

On the topic of NDAs, I wish to say that I'm a stickler for respecting a client's right to remain anonymous and to retain control of any information and data about their projects with me. The first thing out of my mouth when I meet a client for the first time (other than "Hello," of course!) is "What we say or decide throughout the course of our discussions, and the outcomes of any project that we undertake is in strict confidence." Although a verbal agreement is binding in this instance, it is a good idea to draft NDAs so that you and your client fully understand what and what cannot be discolosed to the general public. Most NDAs are generally good for up to a year after the completion of the project, but can be longer.

But I digress... Other activities this summer include completing some professional development activities for the Ontario Institute of Agrologists (OIA). I've co-ordinated a tour of a cut-flower facility near Kemptville College in Kemptville, Ontario. LynWar, owned and operated by Warren and Lynn O'Callaghan specializes in wildflowers, although they do handle gladiolus, sunflowers, and some lilies. Warren's family has owned and maintained a stall in the Parkdale Market (Ottawa) since 1969. This should be an interesting tour for OIA members, especially since LynWar is expanding their base of operations in the fall!

Through my association with Lynn and Warren, I met Carla. Carla and her husband are in the process of giving their farm a face lift, complete with several large animal menageries and a brand new greenhouse complex. I'd just like to say here, that I greatly appreciated Carla's willingness to give me the grand tour of their operations, including a sneak peek at several exotic animals which included civets, bandicoots, joeys, ring-tailed lemurs, and llamas. We will likely conduct an OIA tour at their farm sometime next year when the face lift is near completion.

My committee work with the Canadian Phytopathological Society (CPS) is also ongoing. We have completed our SWOT (strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats) analysis and are nearly done with the document detailing CPS' opportunities, goals, and vision for the next 5 to 10 years. This document will be presented to the Executive Board at the joint CPS-APS-MSA meeting in Quebec City from July 29 - August 2, 2006.

In addition, I'm working on three papers for publication in scientific journals... but this posting is already overly long, so I'll have to describe these publications sometime soon!