Michelle Lewis
Michelle Lewis joined the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) team as the communications coordinator at the beginning of July.
Lewis brings with her a wealth of experience in agriculture, having spent the past 16 years working across various areas of the industry. Originally from a farm near Stephenfield, M.B., she completed high school in Carman before earning a degree in agribusiness from the University of Manitoba. Lewis lives near Minnedosa with her husband, Brent, and their two sons, Bennett and Mack. Together, they run a grain farm where they grow wheat, canola and soybeans.
Dr. Patti Rothenburger
Patti Rothenburger joined MPSG at the start of July. She is currently contributing to research initiatives as she prepares to step into the role of executive director on January 1, 2026.
Rothenburger brings over 25 years of experience working across both public and private sectors. She served as director of research and product development at Canterra Seeds and held several leadership roles within the Manitoba government. Most notably, as assistant deputy minister of agriculture production, innovation and resilience, she led provincial efforts to strengthen agricultural research, encourage innovation, promote sustainable agriculture production and expand knowledge-sharing to support producers across the province.
With a PhD in plant breeding and pathology, Rothenburger has served as an advisor on numerous boards and committees, including the Manitoba Seed Growers’ Association and Canadian Seed Growers’ Association. In recognition of her contributions to the seed industry, she received the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association Honorary Life Award in 2019. Her leadership has shaped research priorities, strengthen seed systems and drive – consistently bridging scientific advancement with practical solutions for growers.
Although raised in Winnipeg, Rothenburger developed a passion for agriculture at a young age that has guided both her career and personal life. She and her husband operate a third-generation seed and mixed grain farm southwest of Morden, M.B. where they are raising their three sons. Outside of work, Rothenburger enjoys gardening, helping on the farm and supporting her boys’ extracurricular activities and community events.
Rothenburger’s decision to join MPSG comes from a genuine desire to make a difference in agriculture and support producers. She brings thoughtful leadership, a collaborative spirit and a grower-first perspective to the organization. Her focus is on delivering meaningful value through research and extension, advocacy and leadership that supports the long-term success of Manitoba’s pulse and soybean growers.
Terry Buss
Terry Buss joined the MPSG team as their production agronomist – east in late April. He provides agronomic support to Eastern Manitoba pulse and soybean producers by integrating research results into pulse and soybean agronomy recommendations and participating in crop health surveillance initiatives and agronomic extension events.
Buss’s career as an agronomist spans three decades. Although originally from Beausejour, M.B. Buss started his career as a pulse and special crops specialist for Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. For the last 23 years, Buss has worked with Eastern Manitoba farmers as a crop production extension specialist in Beausejour for Manitoba Agriculture, retiring in April 2025.
Buss grew up as part of a mixed family farm just north of Beausejour and attended the University of Manitoba. Buss is a professional agrologist and has spent most of his career focused on soybean and pulse crop agronomy. Over that time, Buss has become a recognized source of expertise and has had the privilege of being an advisor to many growers and industry personnel in Eastern Manitoba.
Buss resides in Beausejour with his wife, Susan, and has two adult daughters, Lauren and Cassidy. Both Buss and his wife are dedicated to rural life and are currently moving back to the family farm. They are members of the Brokenhead Agricultural Society and very involved with the Brokenhead River Agricultural Conference, which hosted its 38th annual event in 2025. In his spare time, Buss enjoys snowmobiling and repairing machinery he picks up at auctions.
Wendy McDonald
Wendy McDonald joined the MPSG team as the production agronomist – west at the beginning of April. She provides agronomic support to Western Manitoba pulse and soybean producers, by integrating research results into pulse and soybean agronomy recommendations and participating in crop health surveillance initiatives and agronomic extension events.
McDonald has been working with Western Manitoba farmers, as an agronomist for 25 years, at ag retail locations in Basswood, Glossop, and Gilbert Plains, and as an independent crop consultant in the Parkland area. McDonald grew up on a fifth-generation mixed farm near Gladstone and attended the University of Manitoba. She is a professional agrologist and a certified crop adviser with a nutrient management specialist designation.
McDonald resides in Gilbert Plains with her favourite farmer – her husband, Brian – and has two daughters, KC and Connelly. She loves to volunteer and be a cheerleader for agriculture. She has served on the Agrologists Manitoba and Prairie Certified Crop adviser boards. McDonald was deeply honoured to receive awards as the 2019 Certified Crop Advisor of the Year for the prairie region and the 2020 Agronomist of the Year from the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers.