In a watershed moment for agriculture in Manitoba, the five commodity groups that in May of this year began exploring an amalgamation are pleased to release a summary report highlighting the potential path towards a new, grassroots and farmer-driven organization.
The release of this report launches a consultation period for farmer members of the organizations to become involved in the process.
“Commodity groups need to be farmer-driven. They need to be run by their grassroots,” says Myron Krahn, President of Manitoba Corn Growers Association. “This report shows how amalgamating would not only maintain our connection to farmers from across Manitoba, but also how it would improve it. From better research capability to a greater potential to leverage research investments, we’ll have more impact as an amalgamated group. Together we can be better.”
The potential board structure, governance structure, core functions, legal process and timeline of this potential amalgamation are all laid out in this summary report, which changed and adapted as the steering committee received feedback from their farmer members over the past few months.
The report is the result of nine months of meetings between board and staff representatives from Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers, Manitoba Flax Growers, the National Sunflower Association of Canada, Manitoba Corn Growers and Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers and Rob Hannam of the consulting firm Synthesis Agri-Food Network. It serves as a roadmap, the destination of which is a farmer-driven, grassroots organization that will reduce overlap, increase impact and deliver more value to Manitoba farmers.
Regional meetings and presentations are planned for January 2018 so that farmers across the province have an opportunity to hear the proposed plan and ask questions, in-person.
Dates and Locations for meetings and presentations are as follows:
- St. Jean Farm Days presentation Jan. 10 at 1pm
- Dauphin, MB meeting Jan. 11 at 1pm
- Stonewall, MB meeting Jan. 12 at 10am
- Brandon Ag Days presentation Jan. 16 at 3pm
In addition, this report will be discussed at each involved commodity group’s Annual General Meeting, which will be held during the CropConnect conference on February 14 and 15, 2018.
Manitoba farmers who grow the crops represented in this amalgamation process are encouraged to get involved and “have your say.” The report will be available at the following temporary website set up for this consultation period: www.mbcrops.ca. Feedback from farmer members is welcome and encouraged through email directly to Rob Hannam at rob@mbcrops.ca.
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| Rob Hannam
Client Lead Synthesis Agri-Food Network 519.822.7272 rob.hannam@synthesis-network.com
|
Pam de Rocquigny
General Manager Manitoba Corn Growers and Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers 204.745.6661 |
For more information, please contact:
Toban Dyck
Director of Communications
Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers
204.227.8875
Toban@manitobapulse.ca