The Baicheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences is honouring Government of Canada agricultural scientist Dr. Vernon Burrows for his achievements in improving food security, his innovations in oat breeding science and his outstanding contribution to the friendship between Canada and China. A bronze bust of Dr. Burrows was unveiled June 24 at the China-Canada Agricultural Science and Technology Forum in Baicheng, Jilin Province, China.

Dr. Burrows began volunteer consulting to the Baicheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences more than 14 years ago to help develop oat production in areas of northern China where growing conditions were poor due to saline and arid soil. The results of his work have led to increased food security and economic opportunities in this part of China.

Dr. Ren Changzhong, President of the Baicheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Jilin Province and a former student of Dr. Burrows, praised his former teacher; "He is a Canadian agricultural scientist revered by the Chinese people and praised as an international friend in the style of Canada's Dr. Norman Bethune."

Dr. Burrows' distinguished career with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) spans more than six decades. He has bred and registered 27 new oat varieties, including the first hairless and hulless oat. He retired from AAFC in 1996, but continues to work in an emeritus capacity as a national and international authority on oat breeding and oat usage.

Dr. Burrows' numerous professional awards include The Order of Canada (2001), The Friendship Award of China (2003), AAFC's Agcellence Award in the Innovation category (2000), and the Agricultural Institute of Canada's prestigious Grindley Medal (1975).

Source: AAFC Press Release, June 24, 2012

Editors Note: The AIC Grindley Medal is presented to a Canadian citizen who has made a significant contribution to Canadian agriculture within the previous five years, the impact of which has been far-reaching and widely recognized. Dr. Burrows was also made a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada in 2002.

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Retired professor Calvin Chong of the Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, passed away in November 2011. An expert in horticulture and floriculture, Prof. Chong's research made many contributions to industry, particularly with respect to container growing. He was elected as a Fellow of the International Plant Propagators Society in 1999. In 2001, he co-shared the Plant Products Co. Ltd Award (with Prof. Glen Lumis), conferred by the Canadian Society for Horticultural Science for best scientific paper in the Canadian Journal of Plant Science, for their research in floriculture and ornamental horticulture. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the internationally renowned Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, Ontario (1992-1997).

Source: University of Guelph

Editor's Note: Dr. Chong served as Editor of the Canadian Journal of Plant Science from 1992-1994 and Chair of the AIC Scientific Journals Committee in 1995 and 1996.

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