BY: Katharine Cherewyk, Executive Director, Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba
Every farmer knows that progress doesn’t happen by accident. It takes collaboration, curiosity and hard work. That same “elbows up” spirit driving Manitoba farmers to test new varieties and try new ideas is what drives Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba (AITC-M). Together with Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG), we’re helping the next generation see their place in agriculture’s future.
From the Field to the Classroom
With MPSG’s support, AITC-M connects students and teachers to the science and innovation behind modern farming. Through programs like Amazing Agriculture Adventure, Ag Days AgVenture and Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month, students discover how soil, climate, research and technology all come together to feed our province.
This fall, MPSG’s partnership is helping us bring even more Manitoba-grown learning to classrooms:
- A new Tariff Resource for high schools helps students understand how global trade affects farmers here at home.
- Our early years SproutHeads resource lets kids grow and taste pea shoots in their classrooms, connecting them to food and nutrition in a hands-on way.
- A new Genetics Kit launching this fall explores herbicide resistance in soybeans in one experiment, giving students a chance to think and problem-solve like researchers.
- And our popular Food Waste resource features Manitoba farmers and processors, including some MPSG members and Roquette showing how local innovation reduces waste and feeds communities.
Each of these resources helps students see agriculture as something real, local and full of opportunity. They’re learning about the same crops and challenges Manitoba farmers work with every day and discovering the pride that comes from feeding people.
Why It Matters
When a student grows their first pea shoot or learns how a soybean gene works, they start to see agriculture differently. They see it as a place they belong and how it connects to their everyday lives. That’s how we grow future agronomists, plant breeders and farmers, and it’s how we steward people to care about what you do and how to carry Manitoba agriculture forward.
MPSG’s investment in AITC-M isn’t just about lessons or kits. It’s about planting the seeds of understanding and trust. It’s about ensuring every child, no matter where they live, has a chance to see the science, skill and care behind our food.
Elbows Up for the Future
Farmers have always been innovators. Elbows up, hands in the dirt, eyes on the horizon. With MPSG’s support, AITC-M brings that same spirit into classrooms across the province. Together, we’re inspiring curiosity, building trust, and growing the next generation of agriculture leaders.
Thank you, MPSG members, for investing in this shared future. The next generation is ready. They only need someone to show them what’s possible.
Whether it’s sharing your farm story, volunteering at a student event, or supporting our classroom resources through your donations, your involvement keeps agriculture strong for the future.
Learn more at www.aitc.mb.ca.