For an organization whose focus and mandate is to make things beautiful, it was ironic that its courtyard was not. The Golden Prairie Arts Council in Carman decided in 2009 that it was time to give its backyard a makeover. Members applied to MAFRI’s Hometown grant program for help funding the project. Hometown grants, started
Community Art Gallery Gets Makeover
Project Helps Keep Farmers On Their Land
As investors around the world rush to claim farmland in the wartorn, politically unstable country of Sudan, a Minnedosa man is working on a project that helps the Sudanese people farm it themselves. In the process, Ray Baloun is connecting people across Canada who share an interest in farming. Baloun, who works as a grain
Rolling Up The Rim To A Better Business
What does a guy who sells coffee and doughnuts know about farming? Very little. But that didn’t prevent Ron Buist, the former marketing director for Canada’s favourite coffee house from delivering an intriguing message to farmers at the 2011 Manitoba Special Crops Symposium. The marketing guru behind Tim Hortons “Roll Up the Rim to Win”
Private Dollars Needed To Increase Ag Research
More private dol – lars need to be invested in agri – culture research if governments are not willing to step up, a University of Manitoba agribusiness professor told the recent Special Crops Symposium in Winnipeg. It is hard to get governments and MPs to listen to producers’ need to increase funds to research because,
2011 Outlook Not Strong For Dry Bean Crops
It will be a tough year to draw edible bean acres into production, Jim Barclay director of foods from Hensall District Co-op, told farmers attending the Special Crops Symposium. He estimates a 30 per cent reduction in acreage for black, white, and pinto bean crops. “In 2011 we will see a reduction in dry bean
All Producers Have A Role In Welfare Image
Public opinion surveys have shown Manitobans have a lower opinion of agriculture than non-farmers in other provinces, the executive director of the Ontario Farm Animal Council says. “Out of the whole country, Manitoba has the least positive image in agriculture,” Crystal MacKay told her audience at Manitoba Ag Days. In a later interview, MacKay refused
There Is Hope For Rural Manitoba
Learning how to attract and keep volunteers is vital to a rural community’s survival, a longtime community organizer told an Ag Days audience. Wendy Bulloch, who has extensive experience working with nonprofit, rural and youth organizations said volunteers are the basis of communities. Treating volunteers as you would employees is one way to maintain interest.
First TGE Outbreak In Three Years
After three years of Manitoba hog barns being free of Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE), the uncommon disease tested positive in a sow and nursery operation in southern Manitoba last May. “It was rather surprising, but good that it did not cause as much trouble as it could have. When it tends to hit it usually is
Production Insurance For Hogs Coming This Fall
Pork producers will have the opportunity to purchase production insurance as early as fall 2011, Manitoba Pork general manager Andrew Dickson announced at the 25th Manitoba Swine Seminar. Production insurance has been a long-term goal of the organization, he said. “All we are asking for in the livestock industry is can we get some sort
COOL Chill Continues For Pork Industry
U.S. country-of-origin labelling laws continue to put a chill on the Manitoba pork industry, the general manager for Manitoba Pork told the Manitoba Swine Seminar. “COOL is a big deal,” Andrew Dickson said. “We had hoped that the export of weanlings into the United States would have tapered off; it is not indicated this has
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
