Richard is a 3rd generation pedigreed seed grower from a 4,000 acre farm in Saskatchewan (Western Canada). Currently he and his family live in Ottawa, where Richard is the Executive Director of the Grain Growers of Canada, and a Director of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, Canada Grains Council and Nutrients for Life.

The Grain Growers of Canada represent 80,000 Canadian grain, pulse and oilseed producers through their commodity associations which are affiliated to the Grain Growers.

In past positions he has:

• Worked as political staff for the Federal Ministers of Agriculture and the Canadian Wheat Board.
• Worked on food aid and agricultural development projects in several African countries, Afghanistan and Nicaragua.
• Served as a Director on the United Grain Growers (grain handling, terminals, feed mills), and on the Canola Council of Canada.

For fun, he coaches a youth curling program, goes fly-in fishing and plays softball.

Richard has a keen interest in agricultural policy and firmly believes that the government does not owe farmers a living, but it does owe them a policy environment that will allow them the opportunity to make a living.

phillips@ggc-pgc.ca