MFGA eBulletin - September 2024 | |
Photo Credit: Nerbas Bros. Angus | |
From the Desk of the Executive Director | |
It started the day as just another grid road crossing, with fields on four corners.
But, with fields wet and winds howling on a late August afternoon, it served perfectly as an intersection of information for a group of around 40 farmers, government, conservation and watershed district types gathered at the crossroads of two neighbouring farms: the Hamilton’s and the Abernethy’s, not too far from Glenboro, MB.
Siblings Liam and Andrea shared the Hamilton’s Fair Valley Farm Venture practices and systems as their parents Cam and Shelley listened in among the group. Next up, Jim and son Matt Abernethy detailed their farm and field experiences at Spruceholm Ranch.
The longtime friends and neighbours shared a great talk, explaining how the BMPs on their farms funded through Manitoba Association of Watershed’s PWCP had helped their farming operations, now and - most hopefully - into the future.
Though, even as the Plan-B set-up for the Central Assiniboine Watershed District-hosted tour rolled on seamlessly despite the conditions of the day, there was something perhaps even more farm symbolic in the impromptu roadside gathering.
Grid roads separate their farm fields and grid roads connect their farms. Roads like these, and countless other similar intersections and thruways across southern Manitoba, are the roads farmers pull over on to chat with their neighbours and community members as they pass each other by to look at fields, livestock, water levels and pests and catch up on farm talk of the day.
Roadside chats among farmers can and do cover a lot of ground. And, often include the exchange of incredibly valuable information. What worked, what didn’t, what’s funded and when, and by whom. And make no mistake, just like countless other neighbouring farms, the Hamilton’s and Abernethy’s are in step. Their on-farm efficiencies are bolstered by a constant give-and-take of knowledge and ideas. The success and challenges of their nearby farms benefit from one another’s expertise and experiences.
And maybe, just by chance on this windy, late summer prairie day, the tour appropriately showcased an incredible value of programming that funders might often overlook.
That is, while every program has a price tag, the interactions and knowledge transfers and exchanges generated via peer to peer, farmer to farmer communications are priceless.
And sometimes these exchanges take place on the roads to farm success.
| |
Muchos Grasses ALL,
Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director
| |
AUGUST 2024 CAWD-MAW PWCP TOUR SUCCESS | |
Farmers, watershed district reps, conservation group leads, municipal councilors and government agriculture staff took in afternoon tour of three Central Assiniboine Watershed District farms (Berry, Hamilton, Abernethy) enrolled in the Prairie Watershed Climate Project funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s On Farm Climate Action Fund led by Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW). | |
PVWD PWCP TOUR UP NEXT: OCTOBER 10, 2024: PVWD Manitou Office | |
|
Farm and Food Awareness Week Celebrated with $400,000 Funding Support to Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba
To support kindergarten to Grade 12 teachers and students in learning about the importance of agriculture in Manitoba, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable-CAP), the governments of Canada and Manitoba have provided $400,000 to Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba. Funding will be used for the Amazing Agriculture Adventure Program, which helps students and teachers learn about Manitoba agriculture, eating local and opportunities in Manitoba’s agriculture sector. . Read More.
| |
|
On Field Thoughts: Of Birds and Bison
by Jacques Saquet, MFGA Board Member
Fifty-four years ago, during the last week of August, I was working at Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) as an interpreter taking tourists out on a car tour. At one stop, we walked a short distance to a lookout on the north side of a steep gorge with a vast view of the valley before us and the distant farmland to the east. Read On..
| |
|
U of M Researchers LEAP into Project & Farmer Practices
Late last month, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment to support 16 research projects that will accelerate the development of solutions to support a sustainable agriculture and agri-food sector in a net-zero economy at the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation in St. Peter’s Bay, Prince Edward Island.
Led by Dr. Martin Entz, a group of researchers at University of Manitoba received funding through this initiative to lead Leveraging Ecosystems to transform Agriculture on the Prairies (LEAP). The grant will provide $7.6 million over four years to support the Canadian agriculture sector by identifying strategies to enhance economic competitiveness, promote food security, environmental stewardship and innovation in a net-zero economy. The project will bring together stakeholders in agriculture, environmental stewardship, First Nations and academia to amplify their collective efforts and meet the sustainable agriculture production targets in Canada. MFGA is one of the agricultural groups supporting the LEAP project.
As part of the LEAP project first steps, a project website has been launched as the University of Manitoba is seeking farmers in the Black soil zone of Manitoba and Saskatchewan to participate in an on-farm study on cropping and land use practices. The study aims to collect information and samples from fields with varying management histories, with a particular focus on "in-between" fields with diversification or perennialization. To participate, click here.
| |
|
MFGA 2024 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION ZIPPING ALONG SEVEN WEEKS OUT; SIGN UP NOW FOR THE CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOW!!
MFGA organizers are super pleased with the response to the early bird registration window currently open for conference delegates. As well, the 2024 conference tradeshow continues to fill up as new registrants and longtime supporters have staked their place in the tradeshow room for the 2024 Conference. There are still booth spaces available, though they are in increasing demand. Sign up soon!
| |
|
MFGA Aquanty model featured in National Water Magazine
Aquanty's real-time hydrologic forecasting capabilities are highlighted in the Fall 2024 issue of the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) Water News Magazine. This article explores the innovative tools we've developed to tackle 21st-century water resource challenges, positioning Aquanty as a leader in hydrologic system modelling both in Canada and internationally.
The article shines a spotlight on the impactful work Aquanty has done with our partners, such as the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) and South Nation Conservation Authority. These collaborations have transformed water management strategies, empowering agricultural producers, land managers, and landowners to make informed decisions using our HydroGeoSphere™ (HGS) platform. Read the article: Click here.
| |
|
MANITOBA WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD (MWAF) Offers Sponsorship to attend the following conferences:
To apply you must identify as a woman residing in Canada and aged 18+. Under-represented women are encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will be reimbursed up to $1500 if attending the AWC or up to $1300 if attending the AgEX Conference for their registration fee and additional costs (transportation, accommodation etc.) once proof of attendance and receipts are provided, and all the requirements are met.
Deadline to apply is October 15, 2024
| |
|
Soil Health Initiative at Assiniboine College
The Soil Health Initiative at Assiniboine, with essential funding from the Weston Family Foundation, is pleased to partner with MFGA and many other organizations across Western Canada to continue advancing soil health in practical ways that suit the unique circumstances of each farm. Visit our website at soilhealthnetwork.ca, participate in our SHAPE exercise, and consider hosting a soil health peer group.
| |
|
AGRI ASSURANCE PROGRAM
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Agri Assurance Program can help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in obtaining verifiable product claims and meeting international export requirements, thereby enhancing their competitiveness and market reach.
Applications will be accepted until Sept. 30, 2027, or until funding is fully committed.
Apply Here.
| |
|
Last call to apply to Manitoba Organics cost-share program; MO rebrand
Farmers can receive up to $7,000 in funding through the Manitoba Organics for sustainable on-farm projects, including biodiversity improvement, cover crop and perennial planting, soil health improvement, livestock integration, and shelter belt establishment. Don't have to be organic farmer to apply. Find out more, click here.
In other Manitoba Organic news, the group has dropped the 'alliance' from Manitoba Organic Alliance, and will now go as Manitoba Organics. Learn more at www.manitobaorganics.com.
| |
|
Industry Events
MFGA GRAZING DAY 2024: September 19, 2024 - Shellmouth, MB
Details: mfga.net
Young Agrarians Farm Tour & Potluck at Bar IV Ranch - September 28, 2024 - Langruth, MB - Details here.
34th Annual Organics Recycling Conference: October 2-4, 2024, Niagara Falls, Ontario: Details here.
Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute/National Index on Agri-Food Performance Conference – Oct 2-4, Ottawa, Ontario Details here: CAPI Conference
Agriculture Enlightened 2024 - Nov 7, 2024, in Winnipeg, MB
Details here: Agriculture Enlightened Conference
MFGA 2024 Regenerative Agriculture Conference - Early Bird Registration Open!!!! NOV 12-13, 2024 - Sign up now for early bird savings and block your hotel rooms.
National Advancing Women Conference - November 17-19, 2024 - Niagara Falls, ON
Details here: Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference
Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference - Nov 18, 2024 - Winnipeg, MB
Details here: mfwc
Manitoba Association of Watersheds Conference - Spearheading Success: Innovation in Watershed Management – Dec 2-4, Brandon, MB
Details here: Manitoba Watersheds Conference
2024 Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing - Dec 10-12, 2024, Edmonton, Alberta
Registration Open: www.absoilgrazing.com/ for dates and details.
KAP AGM - February 3-4, 2025 - Winnipeg, MB
Details to come.
2025 Holistic Management Canada Conference - Feb 7 - 9, 2025 - Assiniboia, Saskatchewan
Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreational Centre, Event Details.
| |
|
Thank you to our 2024/25 Annual Supporters!
It's never too late to join these 2024/25 leaders who are some of the best of the best in the agriculture and conservation communities - sign up here!
| | | | |
