The Head of Applied Science at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Mark Stumborg, retired from the agriculture industry last Friday.

Stumborg spent most of his Career in Swift Current with a year spent in Ottawa starting the ethanol research and development program for the Government of Canada, which ran from 1992 to 1997.  

Having worked for the Government for over 33 years, his design work played a pivotal role for researchers and cereal producers.  

"A lot of the work we did here, greatly improved their ability to put numbers out in the field and numbers equals varieties and a varieties equals better offerings for producers in a faster pace and we were certainly a huge
part of that, we more than doubled their numbers out in the field over the years," said Stumborg.

Along with his design work in the early years of renewable fuel programs for ethanol and biodiesel in Canada, he was also recognized for his work in the industry by winning the Green Fuels Industry Award in 2009.

As he reflects on his time in the industry he is proud of the work he was able to do in the bio fuel sector and bio product sector.

"A lot of memories, a lot of lessons in life, overall great career I have enjoyed every minute of it, I have been blessed I would say," said Stumborg.

While Stumborg doesn't plan to walk away from the industry totally, he hopes to still be involved with straight cutting techniques and other design work.  

For now he is looking forward to Freedom 55 and taking some time to decompress and spend time with family.