The groups are hosting webinars to educate members of proposed plans
If members vote to amalgamate five Manitoba commodity groups, they’ll go forward under a new name: Manitoba Crop Alliance. “When we looked at the definition of the word alliance, which is an association formed for mutual benefit, we felt that summarized the intent of the amalgamation. We are stronger, together,” said Myron Krahn, Manitoba Corn […] Read more
Unvalidated production practices pose a risk to consumers, the minister said
Ag Minister Blaine Pedersen responded to Trappist cheese makers’ allegations that department staff blocked their approval, saying the province’s duty is to protect consumers. “Loaf and Honey has been unable to demonstrate through microbiological testing that the method it is using to produce raw milk cheese consistently produces a safe product,” said Pedersen in an […] Read more
Robert (Bob) McNabb called for greater passion for soil, aligning profit with ecology
Manitoba farmer Robert (Bob) McNabb called for greater passion for soil as he was inducted into the Canadian Conservation Hall of Fame in Winnipeg, November 13. In his acceptance address, McNabb called on those gathered to approach soil conservation with the same passion as teenage, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. “If we could get on […] Read more
Faces of Ag: Brooks and Jen White stumbled into regenerative agriculture before they knew what it was — now it’s the foundation of their farm
Brooks and Jen White want a smaller farm. It may seem like a strange ambition, but that is an actual part of their five-year plan — to be smaller in acreage than they are now. “For me, what regenerative ag means is becoming more profitable on a smaller scale — on fewer acres,” Brooks said. […] Read more
‘Complex, inconsistently interpreted regulations’ have left one couple near bankruptcy and other small food processors in limbo
A Manitoba couple says red tape has killed 100 years of cheese history and put them near bankruptcy. Husband and wife team Dustin Peltier and Rachel Isaak, along with Peltier’s parents Gary and Silver Peltier, say the province has blocked them at every turn as they’ve attempted to bring their traditional, Trappist-style cheese to market […] Read more
Inspectors and food producers alike seem to struggle to interpret regulations on food production. “No one in the industry would say there’s a lack of regulation,” said Dave Shambrock, executive director of Food & Beverage Manitoba. Actually, there are many sets of overlapping regulations, he said. In 2009, the NDP provincial government appeared to be […] Read more
Faces of Ag: Teenagers Taylor and Harleigh Carlson developed a mobile educational livestock display as a school project
When Taylor and Harleigh Carlson were little, they’d sit in the barn and read books to their cows. That was their job. The cattle got used to having kids around, which made them easier to halter-break and train for cattle shows. Taylor and Harleigh were practically born into 4-H and cattle showing. Their dad Trevor […] Read more
Talk about your stress and be proactive to get a better outcome
One of Gerry Friesen’s lowest moments came in 2005 when, after a serious accident put his brother in the hospital, the entire weight of the family hog operation fell on his shoulders. A neighbour dropped by one day and asked, in typical fashion, how he was doing. Usually Friesen would say he was just fine. […] Read more
The system, to be administered by Direct Farm Manitoba, is modelled on a system British Columbia has had since 2007
A program that would give farmers’ market coupons to low-income families will help people and build a market for small food producers, Direct Farm Manitoba says. “I believe this program is a fantastic tool to help pitch in and address food insecurity by helping restore local food economies,” said Justin Girard, who heads the steering […] Read more
A Winnipeg-based food history project delves into how cultural forces shaped food production in the province
In Winnipeg there’s this tradition of burgers called the ‘fat boy.’ The staple of drive-in restaurants, they’re fairly ordinary beef burgers with lettuce, tomato and a thick pickle spear, except they have a chili sauce that isn’t found much elsewhere. These burgers are also often served in Greek Canadian restaurants. To some residents of Winnipeg, […] Read more
