Global CA-CoP CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management


Dear Subscribers,

It is with great sadness that I share with you a fitting tribute from Stephen Loss to Colin Piggin who recently passed away.

Colin was known to many in the CA Community globally and many colleagues had the privilege of working with him or benefitting from his work in CA. Colin was a CA champion and provided effective leadership to CA research and to spread the adoption of CA in the CWANA region and elsewhere.

May his soul rest in eternal peace and may his family be granted the courage and fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. Amen!

Thank you Stephen for sharing this tribute with CA-CoP.

Amir Kassam

Moderator

Global CA-CoP

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

URL: http://www.fao.org/conservation-agriculture


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Stephen Loss <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2020 at 22:29
Subject: Passing of Colin Piggin
To: Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]>


Dear Amir,

Many among the Global CA CoP will know Colin Piggin who managed the ACIAR funded project which effectively promoted the adoption of conservation cropping into Iraq and Syria through ICARDA. It is my sad duty to notify you of Colin's death two weeks ago after a lengthy battle with a rare neurological disorder called  'Lewy body dementia'. Colin's wife Josie kept me informed of his diminishing condition over the last 2-3 years, which is particularly tragic when I think of how fit and active Colin was for his whole life. Colin was a regular early morning runner, no matter which country he was in.

Colin grew up on a farm in northern Victoria and never lost touch with the practicalities of farming - they were one of the first in Australia to adopt minimum tillage and direct seeding in the 1980s. Throughout his career Colin worked on a number of international agricultural development projects , and managed a portfolio of projects with ACIAR. His long fruitful journeys had a positive impact on so many people around the globe, through his hard work and personal interactions.  Everyone who had the pleasure of working with Colin was profoundly touched by his kindness, gentleness, patience and willingness to share his knowledge and experience. What more can a person expect when reflecting on their life?

It was an honour to work alongside Colin and share a lot of meals and discussions, and the odd drink. Numerous fond memories of Colin will warm my heart for many years to come, especially during our time in Amman and Erbil - see links below to pictures in Syria and Iraq. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Josie and Colin's family.


Stephen Loss
Mobile:0408 412 453



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