{"id":2818,"date":"2022-10-26T12:46:10","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T18:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/?p=2818"},"modified":"2024-12-20T01:49:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T07:49:06","slug":"the-tragic-yet-triumphant-story-of-gold-medal-seeds-ltd-gms-in-alberta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-tragic-yet-triumphant-story-of-gold-medal-seeds-ltd-gms-in-alberta-2818","title":{"rendered":"The Tragic yet Triumphant Story of Gold Medal Seeds Ltd (GMS) in Alberta"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Alberta is home to numerous factories dedicated to the cultivation, seeding, and harvesting of crops for farms and agricultural facilities. Among these is the Gold Medal Seeds Ltd (GMS) factory, a major player in the production of alfalfa and forage seeds. More on <a href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/\">edmonton1.one<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2ecddac02c1\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2ecddac02c1\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-tragic-yet-triumphant-story-of-gold-medal-seeds-ltd-gms-in-alberta-2818\/#The_Founding_of_Gold_Medal_Seeds_Ltd\" >The Founding of Gold Medal Seeds Ltd<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-tragic-yet-triumphant-story-of-gold-medal-seeds-ltd-gms-in-alberta-2818\/#A_Devastating_Fire\" >A Devastating Fire<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-tragic-yet-triumphant-story-of-gold-medal-seeds-ltd-gms-in-alberta-2818\/#Rebuilding_the_Factory\" >Rebuilding the Factory<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-tragic-yet-triumphant-story-of-gold-medal-seeds-ltd-gms-in-alberta-2818\/#Transition_to_New_Ownership\" >Transition to New Ownership<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-tragic-yet-triumphant-story-of-gold-medal-seeds-ltd-gms-in-alberta-2818\/#GMS_Today\" >GMS Today<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Founding_of_Gold_Medal_Seeds_Ltd\"><\/span>The Founding of Gold Medal Seeds Ltd<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gold Medal Seeds Ltd was officially registered in 1971. Its first owners were Peter Petersen, Bob Asher, Garry Freundl, and Lloyd Smigowski. The factory was originally located at the end of 1st Street and 4th Avenue East in Brooks, Alberta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From its inception, GMS supported all aspects of alfalfa seed production in Southern Alberta, producing alfalfa and other forage seeds for livestock. The factory became one of the largest agricultural complexes in Northern Alberta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"740\" height=\"312\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/1-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2819\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/1-7.jpg 740w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/1-7-300x126.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/1-7-696x293.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Devastating_Fire\"><\/span>A Devastating Fire<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1980, Peter Petersen became the sole owner of the factory. Unfortunately, his tenure as sole proprietor was short-lived. On December 1, 1981, during the 10th anniversary of the factory\u2019s founding, a catastrophic fire completely destroyed the building. The factory was reduced to ashes, halting alfalfa seed production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the loss, Peter and his team worked tirelessly to minimize the impact of the fire. Fortunately, the main office, located at 2nd Avenue and 5th Street, was spared and continued to manage essential operations for seven months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rebuilding_the_Factory\"><\/span>Rebuilding the Factory<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Undeterred by the disaster, Peter relocated operations to another building he owned on a farm near Brooks. By the summer of 1982, GMS had a new office on Aqueduct Drive, 439. This location became one of the first buildings in what is now a thriving industrial zone on the south side of the railway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A year later, Peter constructed a new state-of-the-art factory at the same location, which became operational in the fall of 1982. This new facility housed both the factory and the main office, equipped with modern machinery and employing over 500 workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the next 35 years, GMS expanded its storage and transportation capabilities, maintaining its competitiveness in the ever-changing agricultural market. Peter Petersen and his family, with the help of Karen Redelbeck, ensured the factory\u2019s continued success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Transition_to_New_Ownership\"><\/span>Transition to New Ownership<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Having spent most of his life managing GMS, Peter Petersen decided to retire. In the summer of 2007, he sold Gold Medal Seeds Ltd to Forage Genetics International (FGI). Peter stayed on as a consultant for about a year, helping the new owners transition smoothly. However, health issues forced him to take a leave during the 2007 alfalfa harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a long recovery, Peter officially retired in 2008. Karen Redelbeck also remained with the new management, playing a crucial role in the transition process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"GMS_Today\"><\/span>GMS Today<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gold Medal Seeds Ltd is now owned by Forage Genetics International. Long-time operators Victor Matthews (20 years with GMS) and Thomas Ivy (12 years with GMS) continued their work under FGI. General Manager Eric Lutterotti joined the team on March 3, 2008, bringing 15 years of agricultural experience, while Office Administrator Shannon Venner came on board on April 4, 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 21st century, the factory continues to thrive, contributing significantly to the agricultural development of Alberta and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alberta is home to numerous factories dedicated to the cultivation, seeding, and harvesting of crops for farms and agricultural facilities. Among these is the Gold Medal Seeds Ltd (GMS) factory, a major player in the production of alfalfa and forage seeds. More on edmonton1.one. The Founding of Gold Medal Seeds Ltd Gold Medal Seeds Ltd [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":463,"featured_media":2822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1164],"tags":[2365,2370,2369,2371,2367,2374,2376,2362,2364,2372,2375,2373,2363,2366,2368],"moimportance":[78,81],"motype":[1158],"moformat":[83],"class_list":{"0":"post-2818","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"tag-agricultural-industry-alberta","9":"tag-agricultural-innovation-alberta","10":"tag-alberta-agricultural-development","11":"tag-alberta-seed-production","12":"tag-alfalfa-farming-alberta","13":"tag-alfalfa-seed-history","14":"tag-alfalfa-seed-market","15":"tag-alfalfa-seed-production","16":"tag-brooks-industrial-zone","17":"tag-forage-genetics-international","18":"tag-forage-seed-factory","19":"tag-gms-alberta","20":"tag-gms-factory-fire","21":"tag-gold-medal-seeds-ltd","22":"tag-peter-petersen-gms","23":"moimportance-golovna-novina","24":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori","25":"motype-eternal","26":"moformat-vlasna"},"modified_by":"Viktorij Voitova","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/463"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2818"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2825,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2818\/revisions\/2825"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2818"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=2818"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=2818"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=2818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}