Big things are happening in barley research. In an interview this week with Gina Feist, executive director of the Brewing and Malt Barley Research Institute (BMBRI), she shared insights into her professional journey and the exciting developments within the barley industry, including the first-ever agronomy program dedicated specifically to barley, launched this week in Saskatoon, Sask. at the 2024 Barley Symposium. Feist’s career spans decades, beginning with crop research in flax and canola before transitioning into business development and intellectual property management. Her tenure at Western Grains Research Foundation paved the way for her current role at BMBRI. Motivated by a desire to delve into the intricacies of barley, she found fulfillment in the collaborative nature of the industry. As executive director of BMBRI, her responsibilities include maintaining the quality and quantity of malting barley through research investments and facilitating collaborative trials with mem