The Selkirk settlers arrived in Manitoba 200 years ago only to be told that it wasn’t possible to farm in Western Canada due to the harsh conditions on the land. We all know how that turned out, and because of it, there are countless stories about agriculture in Manitoba today.
Manitoba’s rich, expansive agricultural history is explored in a series of interviews in a four-part Prairie Public Television documentary entitled, “Built On Agriculture.” Manitoba Co-operator editor Laura Rance appears in the documentary, speaking of the hardships facing early settlers on the Prairies and how many of their hopes were “dashed” after seeing firsthand the immense work and harsh conditions facing them.
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Part 1 – which you can watch in the YouTube video player below – begins with the Selkirk settlers and the stark conditions they endured, helping pave the way for future immigrant farmers and generations to come.
- More on the Manitoba Co-operator: Ag documentary on Red River Selkirk settlers released
Remaining videos in the series – provided in the links below – cover topics such as the Grain Exchange, the Canadian Wheat Board, the vital role of women in agriculture, the challenges of modern day farming, and where the future of agriculture may take us.
