A free e-book telling the story of the past 150 years of Manitoban agriculture launched earlier this month.
“Our province was founded on agriculture and this e-book provides an important opportunity for our agricultural producers to showcase their ongoing dedication to a safe and reliable food supply,” said provincial ag minister Derek Johnson in a Sept. 23 news release.
150 Years of Farming in Manitoba was written by Bill Redekop and developed through a partnership between Keystone Agricultural Producers, the province and the federal government.
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Rather than tackle all 150 years chronologically, Redekop hits topics chapter by chapter, including the Indigenous roots of agriculture in Manitoba, bison farming, potato farming and the burgeoning protein industry.
The book is written in a conversational style and is filled with plenty of fun facts.
For instance, readers will learn that the first Manitoba agriculture minister, Thomas Howard, lasted all of 10 days in office. The book doesn’t say why.
In another example, it notes the city of Winkler was named after an agriculture minister, Valentine Winkler, who sold the land to the Mennonite settlers.
The book explores wonder-crop canola’s roots at the University of Manitoba through pioneering researcher Baldur Stefansson and other scientists.
Stefansson, according to the book, was apparently so dedicated to his craft that when a snowstorm prevented him from driving to work, he strapped on cross-country skis.
The beef, pork, plant protein and organic sectors all get their chapter. Redekop also looks to the future, noting potential impacts of climate change on Manitoban agriculture, and the rise of digital and precision agriculture.
To read or download the free e-book, visit agriculturemb150.ca.
