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Retiring deputy minister of ag a hard act to follow

New provincial deputy minister of agriculture “digging in” to new position

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Published: January 31, 2023

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Left to right: New Deputy Minister of Agriculture Brenda Serrano, Agriculture Minister, Derek Johnson, outgoing deputy minister Dori Gingera-Beauchemin.

Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson says he’s unconcerned that his new deputy minister has little agricultural experience.

In December, the provincial government announced it would appoint Brenda DeSerrano as deputy minister to replace Dori Gingera-Beauchemin upon her retirement.

It isn’t standard practice for deputy ministers to have experience in the ministry they head, but Gingera-Beauchemin did. She came to the position with 33 years of direct experience with Manitoba Agriculture.

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After graduating with an agriculture degree from the University of Manitoba in 1979, she joined Manitoba Agriculture and held a number of positions throughout her career, including 4-H and youth specialist, chief of the 4-H program, director of the department’s central region, director of the marketing and farm business management branch, assistant deputy minister of Agri-Food and Rural Development Division, and assistant deputy minister of Policy and Agri-Environment Division. She became deputy minister in 2013.

Why it matters: The provincial agriculture department is losing one of its senior members and a new lead is coming in.

The Co-operator caught up with Johnson and the incoming and outgoing deputy ministers at Ag Days in Brandon.

While Johnson said he’ll miss working with Gingera-Beauchemin, he’s confident in his new hire.

“It’s a wealth of knowledge that is walking out of the department of agriculture,” said Johnson, adding that DeSerrano’s experience with the Treasury Board gives her many advantages.

“She has experience on the Treasury Board side, and she knows our budget inside and out, which is a huge learning curve,” said Johnson.

Gingera-Beauchemin said it’s not uncommon for deputy ministers to come through the Treasury Board, and for good reason — finances affect every department. As well, she said

it could be a good learning opportunity for the staff.

“Embracing some of the other functions of government, like the Treasury Board, I think will help the potential of our department to become even bigger leaders in government itself.”

The newcomer

DeSerrano started working for the Manitoba government in 2005, most recently as assistant deputy minister of analytical services at the Treasury Board. In this role, she had dealings with all government departments.

She also has experience in financial and contract management, stakeholder consultation and real estate management.

Johnson said DeSerrano has a strong supporting cast.

“It’s more than just the deputy minister; it’s the team behind them, and we’re blessed with such a great team, and we are now blessed with a great manager that will manage that team.”

DeSerrano started in her new position Jan. 6 and has high praise for her colleagues.

“There are three assistant deputy ministers. All three are brilliant,” she said. “There’s so much expertise within that department.”

Many producers and ag-business owners felt a level of comfort knowing the deputy minister was one of their own. Johnson said the department will overcome any rough spots through face-to-face encounters.

“That’s why events like this here today are important. It’s about getting to know the person. Once you get to know them, then you feel comfortable reaching out.”

DeSerrano said she thinks the agricultural community is open to change.

“From what I’ve seen so far, some people might be excited to tell their stories to me because I haven’t heard them before,” she said. “Being at Ag Days has made me that much more excited, just seeing everything and meeting everybody.

“I’m very excited to be working with agriculture and very nervous about it too. But it’s my responsibility to understand the industry and know what its challenges and goals are. I’ve started digging in, but it’s such a big and diverse industry that I’ll be digging in for a very long time.”

Honorary Degree

While Manitoba’s agriculture industry may embrace the new deputy minister, they aren’t quite finished with the former one yet and accolades keep rolling in.

During Assiniboine Community College’s Ag Partnership Breakfast Wednesday, the college presented Gingera-Beauchemin with an honorary diploma in agribusiness.

“Ms. Gingera-Beauchemin’s contributions to agriculture at provincial and national levels over the course of her career have been tremendous,” said college president Mark Frison.

The honour adds to the lengthy list of awards Gingera-Beauchemin has received owing to her leadership in the agricultural industry. She is already an honorary lifetime member of the Canadian 4-H Council and earned the Foreign Minister’s Commendation from the Japan Consul-General for her involvement in creating the Canada-Japan 4-H international student exchange program.

What’s next for her?

“Well, I’m married to a farmer, so he’s got a long list waiting for me there,” she said. She and her husband have a farm near Ile des Chenes and are now working with her nephew.

“It’s a two-way street, though. The management of data is really where the industry is heading. So, with young folks coming into the industry that are comfortable with data management and technology, that’s where the learning has to come from the other direction.”

She says the department should also embrace that reality, but that’s now out of her domain.

“I’m going to cheer from the sidelines,” she joked.

She also plans to help out with Ag in the Classroom and 4-H.

About the author

Don Norman

Don Norman

Associate Editor, Grainews

Don Norman is an agricultural journalist based in Winnipeg and associate editor with Grainews. He began writing for the Manitoba Co-operator as a freelancer in 2018 and joined the editorial staff in 2022. Don brings more than 25 years of journalism experience, including nearly two decades as the owner and publisher of community newspapers in rural Manitoba and as senior editor at the trade publishing company Naylor Publications. Don holds a bachelor’s degree in International Development from the University of Winnipeg. He specializes in translating complex agricultural science and policy into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian farmers. His work regularly appears in Glacier FarmMedia publications.

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