REDVERS - The South East Research Farm (SERF) is a non-profit organization located in Redvers.
It was established in 1997 and currently employs 11 people. Although it may not be a huge company, it has quadrupled in size since its inception. Despite its work and its growth, it continues to be a “hidden gem”, according to research manager Lana Shaw.
SERF’s mandate is to conduct research into innovative ideas that farmers can tap into, allowing them to become more efficient in producing crops. Rather than each individual farmer experimenting with different ways to increase productivity and profitability, SERF does that on their behalf, freeing the farmers to focus on what they do best.
As well as partnering with the farmers, SERF works alongside the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, various agri-businesses, universities, commodity groups, rural municipalities and Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada.
Farmers aren’t the only beneficiaries of the research. Much of the crop that SERF produces ends up in the hands of the local food bank, thus benefitting residents of Redvers and area.
SERF is always looking for ways to create awareness in what it does. In an effort to shed its "hidden gem" identity, an hour-long question and answer coffee time took place on Feb. 5 at the clubhouse of the Redvers Golf and Country Club. Several farmers attended with the hopes of gaining knowledge from the research that SERF does.
