Instead, he said, “Support and promotion of the product and its versatility, quality and excellence are as much a part of elk raising, as quality feeding and handling. It is important, however, to distinguish the farming process from the product and its marketing.”

For some 40 years, elk farming has been part of livestock production in Manitoba. Early operations were essentially zoos, Thorleifson noted, part of early agro-tourism. As those operators became aware of how well elk fit into a domesticated livestock system and the many market opportunities however, the idea of larger-scale ranching began to develop. 

At its peak, Manitoba boasted over 50 elk farms, stocked with close to 6,000 elk, but diseases like BSE and chronic wasting disease (CWD) has had a detrimental impact. To date, there has never been a case of those diseases on a Manitoba elk farm — although the province found its first cases of CWD in wild deer last year. Likewise, Thorleifson said, there has never been a case of bovine tuberculosis in Manitoba-farmed elk. 

The restrictions and regulations, however, have had a dramatic cooling effect on the sector, he argued. Today, there are 20 elk farms operating with 1,270 head. 

Thorleifson and his family began in the cervid farming business with reindeer and elk in the late 1980s. They were allowed to keep the reindeer at the family’s ranch near Horod, although elk had to be boarded at a farm across the border in Saskatchewan. Since that time, Thorleifson has raised and traded elk, red deer, whitetails, reindeer, sika deer, bison, and cattle from New Brunswick to Alberta, with elk being steadily marketed. 

The Manitoba producer says the elk-farming industry is blessed with a diversity of markets, including meat and byproducts from meat processing. There is also demand for hard antler for dog chews, carving, chandeliers and furniture, and mineral supplements — antler in the “velvet,” or growing phase, is valued in the nutraceutical market for arthritis, energy and stamina, recovery from wounds and internal organ protection. Hunting trophies are another avenue, one prized around the world. 

Access to trophy ranches that sell the opportunity to harvest bulls is the biggest challenge Manitoba elk farmers face, Thorleifson said. These operations are huge areas – 2,000 to 30,000 acres – and are very successful, with hunters paying $4,000 to $7,000 to harvest a small bull. A big antlered bull can expect to fetch $40,000 and up, with a percentage going to the producer. 

“Easily this is the most profitable market for elk. It’s also the most humane way to harvest them – quietly and effectively in their own comfortable habitat,” Thorleifson argued. 

It is also, however, a market the elk sector can’t find at home. Provincial regulations do not allow trophy ranches in Manitoba. 

CWD findings last year raised concern around trophy bull sales, since certain U.S. state laws would preclude the trade of animals from an area where the disease is considered active.

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Robert Shwaluk farms just east of the community. He’s rented most of his grain land to other farmers and focuses on his purebred Black Angus cattle, hay and pastures.

Weather challenges pushed Shwaluk to pursue wrapped silage bales.

“Last summer I started to make dry hay but two days after cutting in the 35 C temperatures, the leaves started to shatter off the alfalfa when baled,” commented Shwaluk. “With the silage bales, many more leaves are retained, which are the most nutritious part of the plant.”

Baling silage, instead of conventional round baling, produces fewer bales to be stacked and stored. Shwaluk said his hay yield was down to 277 of high-moisture silage bales from over 1,400 round bales in 2020.

Wrapped bales have a big advantage when manpower is in short supply, compared to the long-row bale wrapper where the bales have to be hauled and wrapped immediately after baling, Shwaluk said. The used wrap, however, presents an issue.

Only grain storage bags and twine are widely able to be recycled in Manitoba.

“Silage wrap can make a mess on a windy day, and burning plastic is not only illegal, but it also releases toxic and potentially cancer-causing chemicals into the air,” Shwaluk said.

He hauled three livestock trailers full of plastic silage film, approximately 500 bales’ worth per load, to Evergreen Environmental Technologies Ltd., a recycling facility in the municipality of Minto-Odanah, between Neepawa and Minnedosa.

Factoring in the amount of time to load and haul the plastic silage film, Shwaluk said it would be more convenient and less costly if an agricultural film drop-off and collection area was available within the RM of Yellowhead, similar to the fertilizer plastic jug disposal area on Highway 21, north of Shoal Lake.

A recent agricultural waste study estimated that 1,394 tonnes of agricultural plastics are used on Manitoba farms. This includes feed bags, twine, grain bags, silage film, bale wrap and to a much lesser extent greenhouse film, sandbags, plastic mulch and seed bags. Ag plastics are important tools that help farmers store feed for their livestock, bring crop inputs to their farm, and control moisture.

Manitoba farmers can now use a provincially regulated recycling program, run by Cleanfarms, for grain bags and baler twine. The program is funded through a non-refundable Environment Handling Fee (EHF) applied to all grain bags and baler twine at the time of the sale.

As market demand allows, a second phase of the program would see silage or bale film and netting wrap added to the list of collected items.

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It’s the CWF’s belief that Manitobans, along with fellow Canadians, should be able to enjoy the outdoors, and all it has to offer, through gardening, hiking, fishing, canoeing, camping, birdwatching, swimming, wildlife photography and so much more.

Manitoba has plenty to offer the wildlife photography enthusiast.

The CWF has been at the forefront of wildlife-related conservation education for over 50 years. Since it was established in 1962, it has touched on subjects such as connecting Canadians to nature, maintaining healthy wildlife populations and conserving and restoring wildlife habitat.

Manitoba’s conservation history goes yet deeper still. Established in 1944 (18 years before the national organization), the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) has become the oldest and largest conservation organization in the province. The MWF counts nearly 15,000 members in 100 affiliate clubs, and represents the interests of local hunters, anglers, trappers and sport shooters.

The size of the organization should, perhaps, not be surprising. Manitoba is a province with a lot of opportunity for that kind of activity.

Distinguished by its parks, lakes, and rivers; its thousands of acres of wilderness and forests that boast wonderful scenery; its great hikes and hundreds of kilometres of canoe routes, Manitoba is to be celebrated.

The social media page YourCanada reads that Manitoba is known as the “land of 100,000 lakes. It is one of the sunniest provinces, and its untouched wilderness guarantees the nature lover a spectacle of organic life.

As a youngster, I remember visits to Lake Audy to view the bison, or Riding Mountain National Park for a picnic lunch and to view the bears, deer, and other animals that allowed family togetherness in a natural setting. Watching my father carefully not disturbing a family of foxes on a pile of wooden telephone poles showcased his passion for wildlife. From a youth to adult, my interest only grew in photography — the aim to shoot and capture a wildlife species, metaphorically speaking, without the aspect of the “hunt.”

Today, my interest is alive and well. The Shoal Lake area is home to more than just deer. Moose are popular, as are elk. I vividly remember the first time I spotted a yearling moose prancing along Highway 10 near Onanole. I slammed on my vehicle brakes, grabbed the camera and clicked away. It wasn’t an elusive bull moose with massive antlers, but the discovery put forth an exciting target, and one I never photographed prior.

I have had the opportunity to photograph those ugly turkey vultures, bald eagles, Canada and snow geese, mallard ducks and a host of backyard birds, including the pesky blue jay. This winter I was elated to spot, view and photograph, Manitoba’s provincial bird — the great grey owl – sitting proudly on top of a tree, along Highway 10 just south of Onanole. The majestic one struck a chord. It was an achievement I, as a photographer, had wanted to take pride in for quite some time.

As a nature lover, I don’t walk the meadows or scour the tree lines by foot, but should special moments arise, thanks to a view from the windshield, I gladly accept the privilege. It’s like a cat-and-mouse game; sometimes the friendly foes accept each other’s company, and other times the four-legged or winged species have other plans. Either way, the view is vibrant, spectacular and cherished, as nature never goes out of style.

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“Students were eager to be involved in this one-of-a-kind project blessing the community as a whole,” said their teacher, Benita Shwaluk. 

Shoal Lake School connected with the University of Manitoba and Science Rendezvous’ Million Tree Project to plant 100 white spruce saplings on the east portion of the school track this September. 

Shwaluk didn’t link tree planting to any particular class subject. She felt the students’ efforts allowed for many valuable lessons. 

The 16 students used math to figure out how many trees each student would plant and how many rows were required to fit 100 trees in the allotted space. Spacing was discussed, the depth and width of the hole were estimated, and they learned that white spruce are quite tolerant of most soil types. 

They learned how the trees will add beauty to the school grounds; provide shade and a windbreak for activities on the track, soccer pitch and football gridiron; help with run-off and erosion control; clean the air; and promote biodiversity by providing habitat. 

From a town perspective, trees moderate temperatures. Trees improve mental health by reducing stress, and the view adds aesthetic beauty to a community. 

The students dug six holes each. 

“Along with bringing their own shovel or other form of digging tool, the young minds and strength assisted or complemented each other,” said Shwaluk. 

It took a team effort to get through thick clay and around the odd rock, but students were excited to improve the environment and leave their mark on the school for years to come. There were no complaints. 

The saplings measured eight to 12 inches at planting. If well looked after, the trees grow 13 to 24 inches in height per year. At maturity white spruce grow up to a height of 40 to 60 feet, with a spread of 10 to 20 feet. 

Shwaluk hopes most of the trees will reach heights over eight feet by the time these students graduate in 2026. 

The tree planting isn’t over. Shwaluk has put the school on a list for 200 more trees. 

“Looking ahead I’m hoping to work either with the same group or another group, as the focus will be planting trees around the community,” she said. 

“This was a wonderful way to get students engaged and learning outside in a hands-on experience,” Shwaluk said. “Digging a hole, planting a tree, and watching it grow helps not only our environment but teaches students to invest in a sustainable future.”

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Due to the history and importance of such carts passing through the area, Ray Pettinger, a Shoal Lake senior with a passion for crafting turned his attention on the creation of a Red River cart. 

The craftsmanship highlights its historic importance to the Indigenous and Métis peoples, traders, hunters, missionaries, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, surveyors, and settlers. Plains First Nations even referred to the Métis as “half-wagon, half-man.”

“The Shoal Lake and St. Lazare areas have old, rutted trails, which pass through the south end of Shoal Lake and on to Fort Ellice, a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, near St. Lazare,” Pettinger said. 

“These trails, originally carved by this type of cart, continue on to Fort Carlton and eventually end at Fort Edmonton. All told from the Red River settlement to Fort Edmonton it was a distance of 1,440 kilometres (900 miles) connecting fur trading posts and buffalo hunting grounds.” 

The first carts used were quite small. Larger, better-constructed carts made their way onto the transportation scene around the start of the 19th century, possibly by 1803, when improved wheels were being manufactured. These larger, spoked wheels were dished, or curved inward, and provided greater stability and handling. 

Red River carts were noisy (emitting a screeching noise caused by dry axles, a necessity to extend the life of an axle) but versatile carts that criss-crossed what are now the Prairie provinces, North Dakota, Montana and Minnesota during much of the 19th century.

Made entirely of wood, the lightweight vehicle was cheap to build, and was a functional conveyance that helped in the development of Canada’s West through the movement of furs and goods used in the day-to-day lives of settlers. The versatile carts were pulled by a single horse, pony, or ox, hauling between 300 and 450 kilograms of freight. 

“Being made entirely out of wood, carts could be repaired with what was on hand. Because of availability, poplar wood with a fir axle was the popular choice, however, other woods such as maple, oak, ash or elm may have also been used,” Pettinger said. “A supply of parts would have been available in the roadside tree bluffs, with the parts bound together with rawhide (shaganappi), sisal rope and twine. The advantage of rawhide is the fact that when tied wet it shrinks on drying, making a tight connection.” 

Pettinger began his build back in May and finished the project in October, using his garage as his workshop. Wheel hubs and the axle were completed first, followed by the chassis, a six-foot-long, four-foot-wide, three-foot-high structure. 

“The material used is courtesy of the dead fall poplar trees found along the Rural Municipality (RM) of Yellowhead ditches,” Pettinger said. “The floor of rough-cut spruce slabs completed the project.” 

Pettinger added that throughout the process the 51-inch wheels with six spokes were formed from half-inch by 2.5-inch poplar strips glued and clamped together around a steel rim, which is not part of the wheel. 

“Carts hauling heavier loads would have had wheels with 12 spokes each,” said Pettinger, who has no plans for the cart at the moment. 

“Being an educational piece, which formed an important part of Manitoba’s and Western Canada’s heritage, it’s a special creation from a personal standpoint.” 

Enjoying working with wood, Pettinger’s projects have included a variety of household furniture, a violin, bagpipes, hundreds of bird boxes, and an airplane, to name a few items of interest. 

History is a family interest, as his wife Barbara (Barb) was involved in the Mounted Police Museum (located at Lakeview Park) and its importance to the community and the municipality since she joined the board in 1994. Up until January 2021, she served as the secretary-treasurer, and now solely holds down secretary duties. 

While the Red River cart has its place in history, so does the North West Mounted Police (NWMP). Newly formed in 1874, destined to become Canada’s world-famous Mounties, their trek west laces western settlement with a form of law enforcement as unique as their scarlet tunics. 

Manitoba’s official Mounted Police Museum is a replica of the original NWMP barracks, built at the south end of Shoal Lake in 1875. 

With settlers reaching the area, the community of Shoal Lake was established in 1884, and moved to its current location at the lake’s north side in 1885 to coincide with the building of the Manitoba & Northwestern Railroad (now CPR). The community incorporated as a village on Jan. 12, 1909, and then changed to town status on Oct. 10, 1997.

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The journey can be experiential and intellectual, no matter the trip, but it’s more relaxing deep within a national park. 

It’s not every day, an invitation is extended to be a part of something, which holds more value than simply a club’s year-end windup. Tagging along with members, parents, and friends of the Riding Mountain Wranglers 4-H Club, the day was uplifting, sharing conversation from the back of a horse-drawn wagon, experiencing trails carved out within Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) and learning more about the history of the escarpment from a well- spoken trail guide. 

Thanks to club leader, Karen Bergeson of Rossburn, who spent some 35 years within RMNP, along with her late husband and park ranger, Gordon, it was a refreshing seven-hour excursion to the location of the Whitewater Prisoner of War (PoW) camp and back to the parking lot just off the Bison Enclosure, home of approximately 30 plains bison, near Lake Audy. 

“City folk are excited to experience RMNP, but often it’s nothing more than a visit to Clear Lake,” commented Bergeson. “One has to venture deep into the park to enjoy the richness of the trees, vegetation, creeks, lakes, wildlife, trails, and to experience first hand what the park truly offers.” 

The 10.1-km distance to the location of the former PoW camp didn’t truly seem that long as draft horses, King and Daisy, owned and driven by Richard Grudeski of Vista walked or trotted along the route known as Centre Trail. Prior to the construction of Highway 10 this was the main link from one side of the park to the other. With a length of 73 km (one way, from the Bison Enclosure to Deep Lake Warden Station), the level of difficulty is moderate, and in regard to facilities there are three campsites on Central Trail, and six campsites on adjoining trails including some accessible solely by foot or non-motor bikes, as was experienced that day. 

Used from October 1943 to October 1945, Whitewater camp held 450 German Afrika Korps soldiers captured in Egypt during the Second World War. These men were sent from larger camps in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, Alta., which were part of a larger PoW camp system in Canada during the Second World War. This information forms a part of a display including how the camp was set up back in the day at the site. Visitors also can listen to recorded stories, simply by cranking a dial. 

Originally the German prisoners were to have been placed along the south shore of Lake Audy at the site of a former National Forestry Program Camp. But it was pointed out by the park superintendent that there would be more work for the men if the camp was built along the north shore of Whitewater Lake near a fire-damaged stand of poplar, which was likely to yield 200,000 cords of wood. 

Constructed at an estimated cost of over $300,000, the camp featured six large bunkhouses, each with its own washroom and shower facilities, a large cookhouse and dining room, a combination garage and workshop, hospital, a large commissary store, staff quarters, a barn, and even a camp power plant. 

The camp had no fence or guard towers. The boundaries of the camp were designated by blazes on a ring of outlying trees. Beyond that, there was nothing but mile after mile of wilderness. 

Authorities believed that the camp’s location, in the heart of the park, would discourage the prisoners from trying to escape. However, a few did, thanks to constructing canoes from wood sources, and rowing across the lake to Olha for cards, conversation and companionship with settlers, especially women. 

They would visit the small immigrant communities along the southern boundary of the park and then head back to camp before rollcall the next morning. 

Apparently, the Germans were favoured guests at local dances and parties because they carried with them rationed goods, especially sugar for the local stills. Local farmers with sleighs routinely picked up the men at the park boundary and gave them a change of clothing. 

The Germans, meanwhile, always used the same excuse for their absence – they had simply gone for a hike and become lost. They realized that any mass escape attempt would mean an end to their Whitewater days and immediate shipment to a maximum-security facility. 

A portion of my history lesson came via the book Park Prisoners – The Untold Story of Western Canada’s National Parks, 1915 – 1946 by author Bill Waiser, while waiting for a campfire to burn down. 

Although no wildlife was spotted, acquaintances at the Minnedosa River camp stated they saw moose, elk, and heard wolves the night previous. But the pleasure of the piercing sound and closeness of the Canada jay, also known as the gray jay, the beauty of spruce and tamarack, and the serenity of an artistic landscape, was fulfilment. 

Other people on the trek were horseback riders, Roseann Yaremchuk and her son Dillon, Alicia Grassinger and her daughter Faith, all of Rossburn, and Sydney Gerelus, who was joined by her Shoal Lake parents, Larry and Carol, and Gill Grudeski of Vista. Additional club members and fellow high point winners on the year not present were Paige Swain of Shoal Lake, Robyn Yaremchuk of Rossburn, and Nicole Shaw of Birtle. 

Singing with life, Riding Mountain National Park is home to a staggering diversity of living things. Enjoy it as you find it, but always honour, acknowledge, and recognize Indigenous contributions to the park, and the province, as the forested parkland in Treaty 2 Territory, stands in sharp contrast to the surrounding prairie farmland.

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Trucks pulling various sizes of trailers loaded with one, two or more horses, ventured to the agriculture society grounds. Once the horses were saddled, children sporting western attire and riding helmets versus cowboy hats, reached for the stirrups, some closer to the saddle than the ground. Thanks to the beauty of a four-legged companion that whinnies, laughter and smiles were abound. 

For organizer, Kimberly Buchberger of Langenburg, Sask., it was a satisfying day, overjoyed because of the beaming faces of the 29 children, 22 of them being 10 and under, and the encouragement of parents and grandparents. 

“While the idea of the day was mine, I must say the passion my four-year-old daughter Katie has gained for the horses, also spurred on the importance of such a fun, learning day,” Buchberger said. “The fact that kids have been cooped up for the past two years, which is not normal, was also an element.” 

Competition may be in Buchberger’s blood, raising and showing Clydesdales, but now having kids of her own, she wants them to have the opportunity to do fun things, touching on passion, mental health, and enjoyment. 

Buchberger said her husband Taylor’s side of the family has been in the light horse and rodeo cattle world for quite some time. Her side of the family has been involved in the draft horse industry for a substantial number of years, but all connect some way or the other.

The Saskatchewan horse mom feels that some kids would love to rodeo, with high school now starting at Grade 5, but families are unable to commit multiple weekends and days away from home, so fun competitions are an important step in youngsters’ lives. The Russell Agricultural Society was on board upon lending its panelled riding and rodeo arena. 

Chuckles were part of the day. Her daughter, Katie, quipped her well-nourished miniature pony, Mitzi, won’t listen, when the topic of weaving in and out of poles was mentioned. Just before that, ‘whoa’ was the word of choice, as Katie and her miniature pony, headed back to the out gate after a successful barrel racing run, all on her own. For some youngsters, parents held the lead line or trotted in front of the horse, but all in all one is never too grown up to see the magic in simple things in life. 

“Ride her like you stole her,” stated Justin Bridgeman of Rafter B Performance Horses & Training of Binscarth, as a youngster from the area enjoyed one of his well-trained horses. He and his wife Leah, along with grandparents, Kevin and Julie Bridgeman, watched as one of their own, Adalie, brought her own smiles, sitting pretty in the saddle.

Members of the Bridgeman family, scattered throughout Manitoba, truly stand behind Buchberger’s comment that every horse deserves to be loved by a little girl or little boy, at least once in their lives. 

“Horses have really been my mental health stabilizer. I believe they are our babysitters in life, as they teach to dream, to believe, to love, to triumph,” Buchberger said. “Children and horses connect, I believe, because they know they are pleasing; they know there is love to give.” 

With horsemanship at the forefront, events enriching participants’ involvement and learning touched on barrel racing, pole bending, undecorating goats, which took concentration. But the kids and youth also were allowed to kick a little in fun games including the egg spoon race and the toilet paper race. 

With Buchberger’s dream coming together nicely, with the assistance of Chantel Senchuk and Vicki Davidson, organizers are aiming to make this an annual summer send-off.

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As a member of the Kenton Kraftsmen 4-H Club, Caldwell, was among the 60 4-H members to participate in the event held virtually for the first time, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic… 

“My speech was the story of the petition I started to lobby the federal government to make changes to the Criminal Code of Canada,” Caldwell said, who is in Grade 12 at Hamiota Collegiate. 

“Hearing I won, I was ecstatic! When I received the news that the government wouldn’t make the suggested changes to the criminal code I was incredibly disappointed but advancing to Provincials with my speech allowed me to continue to raise awareness on the subject of child sexual abuse and keep my message in the forefront of people’s minds.” 

Caldwell was the winner in the 15- to 17-age category. An excerpt of her speech follows: 

Ripples in the Pond 

“Each of us can make a difference. Together we can make a change! — Barbara Mikulski 

Have you ever heard the name Peter Whitmore? Peter Whitmore is one of Canada’s most notorious pedophiles; he was convicted of sexual offences against nine children in a span of 13 years starting in 1993 and ending in 2006. One of the last two children in 2006 that he abducted and offended against is my good family friend Zachary Miller. 

Zach was 10 when Whitmore used a 13-year-old boy whom he had abducted from Winnipeg to lure Zach away from the safety of his farm in Whitewood, Sask., allowing Whitmore to abduct Zach. Both boys were held captive in an old, abandoned farmhouse in Kipling, Sask. (less than 20 minutes from the Millers’ Farm) for three days before Zach escaped and Peter Whitmore was placed under arrest. 

Before the trial Whitmore was given a plea deal: if he were to plead guilty to all counts, he would not have a dangerous offender designation placed on him, and Zach and the other boy would not have to testify in court. Whitmore accepted the deal and was given a life sentence without the possibility for parole for seven years. Peter Whitmore remains in federal prison today and although he has been eligible for parole since 2013 to date he is not seeking parole. 

It is loopholes such as this in our judicial system that got me wondering how could someone be repeatedly convicted of heinous crimes against children and continue to get out of prison only to reoffend again? Was the public notified when he was released? Or was he simply able to walk out the prison doors, return to daily life and find his next victim? With his past offences, why was he not designated a dangerous offender long before he abducted Zach? The designation “dangerous offender” is reserved for Canada’s most violent criminals and sexual predators. Crown attorneys can seek the designation during sentencing and must show that there is a high risk that the criminal will commit violent or sexual offences in the future. I think it is so important for more designations to be given to more dangerous offenders like Peter Whitmore, and for the public to be more aware that people like him are out there.

I decided to try to lobby the government to change the dangerous offender designation. But how does one go about lobbying the government in the first place? How do I write a legal petition? What are the rules and regulations? How old do you have to be to create a petition to lobby the government? How should I word it? Those were just a few of the dozens of questions I needed answers to. 

My petition was online for 90 days, and on the day that it closed I had received 1,396 signatures from all across Canada. I had received support from every single province and territory. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for every person who took the time to show their support for my petition. It is still hard to believe the support I received. 

What is truly remarkable to me is the number of child sexual abuse survivors who reached out to me to thank me for giving a voice to the subject and lobbying for change. That makes me feel extremely proud! 

When I received the response to my petition on Dec. 11, 2020 I was more than disappointed. They gave a rather token political response. Their response was basically that there is already a section of the code that deals with sexual interference, missing the intent behind the proposed amendment completely. 

Although I was disappointed in their decision not to make an amendment to that portion of the criminal code, I believe that all the attention that my petition got across Canada started a much-needed dialogue about child sexual abuse. Just like throwing a rock in a pond, starting hard conversations such as this will cause a ripple effect that will keep people talking about things that make them uncomfortable, and encourage people to stand up for what they believe in. If you have the chance, throw that rock into the pond and see what ripples you can create. 

In the words of Nelson Mandela… “History will judge us by the difference we make in the lives of children!” 

4-H beneficial

Beyond her years, the 17-year-old daughter of David and Val Caldwell, has been involved with 4-H for 11 years. 

Caldwell said experiences on various fronts, under the guidance of head leader, Candace Tolton, have brought forth positivity from a club and personal level. 

“Being involved has allowed myself to overcome shyness and increase my confidence, and hone my public speaking skills,” shared Caldwell, who enjoys farm life with her parents near Harding. 

“4-H has also enabled myself to give back to my community in so many ways, and has opened doors to experience on a local, provincial and national level.” 

She has been the recipient of the Jean Gompf Memorial Trophy five times. The trophy is awarded to the Kenton Kraftsmen member who goes the furthest at ‘speeches,’ which is a core criteria of being involved in 4-H. Caldwell was also the 4-H Gold Watch Award winner in 2020 and recently was the recipient of the South Parkland Bursary. 

Along with being one of six youth presently enrolled in the club, Caldwell is also the junior chair of the South Parkland Area Council, and sits as a youth adviser on the 4-H Manitoba provincial board of directors.

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Johanne Ross, a passionate advocate for agricultural education, lives on her family farm with husband Barry near the Westman community. The industry change maker has dedicated her career to bringing agricultural education into classrooms across Canada.

“We continue to be impressed by the quality of applicants coming to the CAHFA for potential induction, with nominations from across the country and a diversity of experience and accomplishments,” said Trish Jordan, president of the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. 

“This year’s inductees have all had a major impact on Canadian agriculture – elevating the profile of Canada’s pulse sector, leading Canada’s beef sector through two major crises, raising agriculture awareness and student literacy in Canadian classrooms, writing the book on Canadian agricultural legal policy and introducing game-changing technology to Canada’s cereals sector. Each are very worthy individuals and we are pleased to have them join hundreds of others who have helped shape Canada’s agricultural reputation.” 

Joining Ross on the 2021 list of inductees are Gord Bacon of Winnipeg, Dr. Don Buckingham of Ottawa, Ont., Stan Eby, of Kincardine, Ont., and Dr. Phil Williams of Nanaimo, B.C. 

Noted as the latest Minnedosa-area resident to be inducted, Ross, as the executive director of Agriculture in the Classroom Canada, has brought a lifelong leadership role to work with government and industry, ensuring students and educators across Canada have access to relevant, credible and engaging information on the diverse field of agriculture. Ross built a vibrant national network that teaches agriculture in classrooms from her beginnings as executive director of Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba. For more than 20 years, Ross has been a tireless advocate for agriculture and youth. 

The 2021 induction ceremony is scheduled Nov. 21 in Winnipeg. The 2020 inductees, Jay Bradshaw, James Halford, Dr. Bryan Harvey, and Dr. Douglas Hedley, will also be formally recognized at the 2021 ceremony as last year’s event was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. 

The CAHFA, organized in 1960, honours and celebrates Canadians for outstanding contributions to the agriculture and food industry. 

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The National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA), along with its affiliates including Manitoba will be welcoming the younger students to the Junior High Division as the 2021-22 competition dawns. 

The change in age was brought forth as a result of discussion during the association’s annual mid-winter meeting. Boys and girls in this grade will be able to compete in any of the Junior High (JH) Division events. They will be able to compete for all-around titles, state/provincial titles, and qualify for the National JH Finals Rodeo. 

“This topic is one I have personally presented for the past few years, so getting this approved feels great,” said NHSRA executive director James Higginbotham. “We try to make all of high school rodeo a welcoming family experience and we are hoping this adds to it. I think it’s safe to say there might be a few happy younger siblings who get to participate on rodeo weekends, rather than watch their older siblings.” 

Goals of each student competing vary. Some may want to become an officer at the provincial or national level, others may want to grow into a college rodeo athlete, but no matter the goal, high school rodeo athletes enjoy giving back to communities through a variety of volunteer hours. 

No matter the level, professional and champion athletes, preach horsemanship as the key factor in perfecting skills within roping and running timed events. Kids may be able to handle a lariat, however, horsemanship may be overlooked, as it’s a package deal in the competition arena. To be good at what they love, students must be prepared to learn how to ride a horse better, and not drift away from practising the knowledge shared, on a regular basis. 

Since 1995, a great contingent of Manitoba students have had the opportunity to travel down into the United States, across Canada or right at home in Manitoba, when the Canadian finals were hosted by the community of Virden and the MHSRA. The best of the best, showcased talents, spurring, roping, riding, and congregating as one, sitting high on the steel chutes and standing low next to the calf pens. Truly it was a time of their life and for those standing on the rail. 

Life in the fast lane is a blend of competition, membership, and friendship, spurring on growth as a better leader and competitor. From rags to riches, the sport of rodeo brings out the best of families, who realize that skill comes from talent, and greatness comes from practice.

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