Board of Directors

Willy Rath, Chair

Willy lives in Doe River, BC and has been farming for the past 40 years in grain, oilseeds and fescue. Willy enjoys working with his fellow farmers to give input into where producer’s money goes. This interest led Willy to become a part of the BC Peace River Grain Industry Development Council, which he has been a part of for several terms, the first of which was in 1996. Willy has also given his time serving on the BC Grain Producers Association and the South Peace Grain Cleaning Coop Boards.

Irmgard Critcher, Vice Chair

Irmi lives in the Towerlake area near Taylor, BC. She has been farming here for the past 35 years in grain, oilseeds, pulses and grass seeds. Irmi welcomes the opportunity to direct how levy dollars are spent for the betterment of the Peace Region farms. This desire has led her to become involved in the BC Peace River Grain Industry Development Council, on which she first served as a director in 1998. Irmi has also given her time serving on the BC Grain Producers Association, Investment Agriculture Foundation, and the Grain Growers of Canada Boards.

Sten Peterson, Director

Sten lives in Rose Prairie, BC. He farms grain, forage seed, and beef cattle, and has been farming for approximately 27 years. In 2019, Sten decided to get involved with the GIDC after it was recommended to him by a retiring director. In addition to the GIDC, Sten has also donated his time serving on the Fort St. John Seed Coop board.

Brandon Funk, Director

Brandon lives just north of Dawson Creek, BC. He has been farming in the area for 10 years, and farms a variety of grain, oilseed, forage seed, and pulse crops. Brandon’s respect for the other directors on the GIDC led him to get involved with the Council in 2021. In the past, Brandon has also given his time serving on the BC Grain Producers Association Board.

Dave Wuthrich, Director

Dave lives in the Cecil Lake area and has been farming for 30 years. He is currently farming wheat, barley, oats, canola, peas, fescue, timothy and clovers. He has held chair positions with the BC Grain Producers Association, the BC Branch of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA), the Fort St. John Seed Cleaning Co-op and has represented the CSGA as the national director. He is appointed to the Grain Industry Development Council through his current director position with the Peace Region Forage Seed Association.

Staff

Maria Reschke, Coordinator
250-263-2864