Assiniboine Community College will be presenting Sylvia Mitchell with an honorary diploma in agribusiness at this year’s graduation ceremony in Brandon to be held in late October. Sylvia was born and raised in Brandon, living there for 27 years before marrying Donn Mitchell. Settling on Donn’s grandparents’ homesteaded farmland north of Douglas in 1959 was
Sylvia Mitchell to receive honorary diploma from ACC
She moved to the farm in ’59 with no rural experience
Non-profit touting food resiliency
SeedChange says a more stable food system starts with greater access to saved seed
SeedChange, a non-profit that works with farmers in Canada and around the world to save seeds and grow food sustainably, is launching a campaign for a more resilient post-COVID Canadian food supply. “It’s no secret that the coronavirus is impacting Canada’s food supply,” said Jane Rabinowicz, executive director of SeedChange. “Covid-19 has revealed the importance
Manitoba Stampede cancelled for 2020
One of the province’s major summer farm fairs pulls the plug
Organizers of the Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition, one of the province’s major summer agricultural fairs as well as the province’s “only professional rodeo,” have cancelled the event for 2020. In a letter posted April 21 on the event website, Norm Gauthier, president of the Valley Agricultural Society, said, “it was clear the health of our
MPI temporarily relaxes medical suspension for commercial drivers
Manitoba Public Insurance has told the Keystone Agricultural Producers it’s temporarily waiving notifications to commercial drivers for medical reports. For the time being no automated suspensions will be issued, though the process for reviewing the licence of a driver with a newly diagnosed medical condition will still occur and suspensions may apply if appropriate. The
Survey finds Manitoba’s rural internet, cell service still bad
Results of KAP’s rural connectivity survey show nearly two-thirds of rural Manitobans dissatisfied with internet, cellular access
Poor rural internet and cell services obstruct communication, stall business and impede technology uptake, according to survey results KAP released April 16. “We have heard deep-seated frustration from both farm families and non-farmers about the state of connectivity in rural Manitoba, and providers cannot continue to ask us to pay for a service that is
Postmedia closing several rural Manitoba newspapers
The financial downturn from COVID-19 has rendered the publications no longer financially sustainable
Postmedia is closing eight rural Manitoba newspapers due to dwindling revenues aggravated by the COVID-19 crisis, the company announced April 28. The publications include the Altona Red River Valley Echo, Carman Valley Leader, Interlake Spectator, Morden Times, Selkirk Journal, Stonewall Argus & Teulon Times, Winkler Times, and The Prairie Farmer. In addition several other newspapers
Delta 9 gets green light for automated cannabis packing line
Other expansions to the grow facility postponed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
Cannabis company Delta 9 has government clearance to begin using its on-site, automated packing and processing facility. “This approval will allow us to streamline and automate our packaging and labelling activities and improve our ability to bring consumer-packaged cannabis products to market,” said Delta 9 CEO John Arbuthnot in a news release on April 13.
North Dakota land values hold steady
Below the border, North Dakota cropland values and cash rents remain flat, says Bryon Parman, North Dakota State University agricultural finance specialist. “Despite the lower commodity prices of the last several years, the longer-term averages have been aided by low interest rates, farm programs and ad hoc payment programs designed to help farmers meet cash
Wheat Growers announces Fransoo as new chair
Saskatchewan farmer will now head the organization
Daryl Fransoo is the new chair of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers. The Glaslyn, Saskatchewan-area producer farms with his father, growing spring and soft white wheat, malt barley, canola, multiple varieties of peas and lentils, and oats. His family also owned and operated a pulse-processing and exporting business in Saskatchewan. “I am honoured to have
KAP calls for PPE donations
COVID-19: Farmers can help with this fight by donating equipment like N95 masks
KAP is encouraging all producers with personal protective equipment that is not required for spring work to donate to the Manitoba health system. As Manitoba’s health system continues with preparations to ensure our province is prepared to meet the needs of our patients and to ensure appropriate protection from COVID-19 is available to health-care workers,