Conservation and municipal officials opened the gates here June 16 to release water that had been held back through the spring as part of a water control project expected to bring multiple benefits to the area. The June opening of the gates on the Pelly’s Lake dam built last year is the latest phase of
Pelly’s Lake watershed management project complete
Officials visit site to see the gates opened on the now complete Pelly’s Lake Watershed Management Project
New specialists, more online resources for small-scale production
The government must act quickly to keep up with needs of a fast-emerging sector, says report chair
Manitoba is acting on the recommendations for improving the working environment of small-scale farmers and processors, says Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn. Last week he and other MAFRD officials were at the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market to introduce the two business development specialists being reassigned in the department to work with these
New production and processing specialists’ positions assigned
The new extension positions will be focused on reducing the intimidation factor for startup businesses
One of the most intimidating aspects of direct marketing a farm-grown product is knowing the rules for safe food handling and other regulatory and production requirements. Last week, the province announced it has reassigned two business development specialists with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development staff to roles that will avail them to processors and
Bottled-up anticipation for Steinbach couple’s new fresh-from-the-farm milk
A new on-farm milk-processing venture opens new markets to add value to their organically produced milk
Milk sold in glass bottles may be retro — but it is the newest niche in dairy sales. And Manitoba dairy farmers Jim and Angie Appleby aim to fill it. Eager customers started buying 946-ml bottles of milk pasteurized and bottled right on their farm using milk from their Steinbach farm’s organically raised herd of
Canadian mayors launch vision for stronger hometowns
Mayors and councillors are calling for national debate on municipal issues
Mayors and municipal leaders, working with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), have unveiled a pre-election vision laying out the pressing needs of Canadian communities they want the next government to make a priority. Strengthening Canada’s Hometowns — A Roadmap for Strong Cities and Communities lays out a plan that would guide federal government in
4-H Canada unveils new clover logo
Changes to logo reflect the evolution of 4-H programming, say 4-H officials
The iconic four-leaf clover that has symbolized 4-H for 50 years in Canada now sports a maple leaf in the centre. The new logo for the Canadian 4-H program unveiled this month marks a “progressive new era,” 4-H Canada executive director Shannon Benner said. It is part of a larger effort updating the youth development
Retirement project reinforces need for conserving natural land
Retired dairy farmer Gord Hammell is redoing a breeding bird survey he did in the 1970s, documenting changes to local land, water and wildlife
Gord Hammell came to Manitoba over 40 years ago to count ducks, and after a long interval milking cows, he’s counting again. The University of Guelph science student arrived in 1970 to do summer research for his master’s thesis on lesser scaup, a waterfowl also called “little bluebill” whose numbers have long been in decline.
Federal government pledges $1.2 million to help expand organic farming
Western Economic Diversification funds will help western organic growers compete in lucrative global organic food market
A new program aimed at expanding the number of organic farmers in Western Canada has received $1.2 million from the federal Western Diversification Program (WDP). The cash will be put towards the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative (POGI), a four-year $2.2-million program being rolled out this spring by western Canadian organic associations that also have pledged
Program helps more Manitoba companies reach markets
A spring launch at Red River Co-ops puts 60 new products from 17 companies on store shelves
More niche and specialty made-in-Manitoba products will catch the eye of customers with the launch of 60 additional new products through the provincial Buy Manitoba program. The Manitoba Food Processors Association (MFPA) has helped Red River Co-op stores in Winnipeg link up with more than a dozen local food companies. It means new exposure for
Roadways are cleaner now, thanks to 4-H clubs
Kids who pick up litter are far less likely to toss their own trash
Manitoba’s roadways are a lot cleaner this week, thanks to hundreds of young 4-H club members who donned gloves, boots and high-visibility vests and set to work last Saturday morning with supervising parents and adult volunteers to gather up garbage in the ditches. It’s an ‘ew-yuck’ sort of job, but the young folk taking part
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