MFGA eBulletin - December 2023

From the Desk of the Executive Director



It is, indeed, the season to be jolly. And certainly, there is much to be happy around at MFGA as we head into the seasonal festivities and family times of the Christmas break 2023 and soon find ourselves flipping the calendar into 2024.

Leading the list of 2023 bright lights for MFGA was our 2023 MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference, the biggest ever of the six events we have held to date. Feedback is pouring in from our post event survey and by all accounts, we delivered a wonderful experience for attendees, supporters and trade show booths, complete with a big shot of motivation for MFGA for next year. We also received a very welcome post-conference sponsorship from Manitoba Agriculture Minister, Hon. Ron Kostyshyn via the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership that will help our books. Thank you, Minister Kostyshyn! 

Looking forward into 2024, we will bring forward our annual strategic plan, and deal with some executive/board succession once we gather again as a board at the end of January. We can see bright sunshine for the most part ahead in 2024 as our MFGA Aquanty Model/Forecasting Tool continues to gain momentum and showcase its value on scenario by scenario. The push by MFGA on ecological goods and services provided by our farmers to society will be a critical focus, especially with the powers our MFGA Aquanty Model in hand.

We are also stoked about the results of MFGA regen ag bird survey, where the positive bird counts, and initiative showcased by MFGA and four different-but-soil-focused farms within our MFGA network moved us right into the wheelhouse and meeting chats with major North American bird organizations and a MFGA seat at the table for continental grassland conservation efforts.

With a solid brand as a farmer-led organization, and a vision and mission dedicated to the interests, needs and wants of the farmers, partners, and stakeholders in our MFGA network, we move into 2024 on the momentum of big 2023 strides taken and the promise and potential of bigger strides in the year ahead.

Wishing you, your families and your organization a very Merry Christmas and all the very best in 2024. Without you, MFGA simply cannot be the best we possibly can be. Thank you very much. Happy Holidays!

Muchos Grasses ALL,

Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director

Longtime MFGA Contractor Calls it a Day at MFGA

Denice Girdner, MFGA’s longtime client relations and communications lead, has officially advised the organization that now is simply the best time for more family time and less

work time. As such, our design, website and corporate campaign whiz will be stepping away from MFGA as of January 1, 2024.

Denice will be known to many in our network as a friendly face at our MFGA conference registration table and a friendly voice during our annual corporate campaign every year as well as frontline MFGA outreach every day. Artistically, Denice’s design, keen eye and website work will be supremely missed, though her skillful designs – such as the MFGA logo – will continue to resonate with MFGA and around our network for years ahead.

MFGA does not have any full-time staff, we rely on contractors fully for all the good we try and do for our supporters. As you can imagine and many of you know, as one of our team leaders, Denice represents a tremendous loss for MFGA. However, we are a lot closer to our organization’s pursuit of being tremendous because of her awesome work.

And that, is a fantastic legacy.

Thank you, Denice, for all your hard work, dedication, friendliness, and friendship.

We wish you – and your family - all the very best health and happiness in the years ahead and we do look forward to staying in touch.

Sincerely all of us,

- MFGA Board & Staff

Assiniboine River Basin water forecasts: MFGA’s app for that

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association envisions farmers use its Aquanty water forecasting app as frequently as they would check their local weather forecast. Read article.

Survey shows birds thrive on ecologically friendly farms

A bird survey on regenerative farm practices has revealed the locations where various bird species are claiming their territories. Read full Brandon Sun article.

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program: Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience

RALP aims to enhance agricultural landscapes' environmental resilience by promoting beneficial land use and management practices that enhance carbon sequestration and ecological goods and services. Program details.

Young Agrarians looking for Apprentices: Apply now

Do you want to gain experience in regenerative agriculture but don't know where to start? Check out the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program! Applications for the 2024 season are now open for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. 

Young Agrarians apprenticeships are fully immersive, putting you into the heart of a farm business. If you're passionate about gaining hands-on experience on a regenerative farm, this might be the perfect opportunity for you. 

Each of these paid apprenticeships varies in length from 4-12 months. You can learn from a selection of farms that focus on different areas such as vegetables, bison, cattle, grain, urban farming, raising sheep for wool, cut flowers, and so much more!

Applications close January 31, 2024. Learn more about the program and apply here: https://youngagrarians.org/apprenticeship-program

Industry Events

KAP Annual Meeting - Jan 23-24, 2024, in Winnipeg, MB

For information or to register at kap.ca

Agrarian After Dark - Jan 31, 2024, in Winnipeg, MB

Conversation and Connection with Ecological producers. For tickets: The Park Theatre

37th Annual Brokenhead River Ag Conference - Feb 6th & 7th, 2024, in Beausejour, MB.

Day 1 targets Beef and Forages, Day 2 focuses on Grain and Crops. 

Details available at Brokenhead Ag

Manitoba Beef Producers AGM - Feb 8-9, 2024, in Brandon, MB

Visit MBP website for more details.

SaskSoil’s35th Annual Soil Health Conference - Feb 13-14, 2024, in Saskatoon, SK

Theme: Back To The Basics. Visit sasksoil.ca/ for more details.

Crop Connect Conference - Feb 14-15, 2024, in Winnipeg, MB

For details or register at Crop Connect Conference

Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Virtual Conference - March 12-14, 2024

Visit here for more details.

Agriculture Enlightened 2024 - Nov 7, 2024, in Winnipeg, MB

Details coming soon.

MFGA 2024 Regenerative Agriculture Conference - SAVE THE DATES: EXACT DATES TO BE DETERMINED: NOV 12-14, 2024

2024 Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing - Dec 2024, Edmonton, Alberta

www.absoilgrazing.com/ for dates and details

Thank you to our 2023/24 Annual Supporters! 

It's never too late to join these 2023/24 leaders who are some of the best of the best in the agriculture and conservation communities - sign up here!