Today I can't help but think of the thousands of people who have been forced from their homes because of the rising flood waters and the thousands of people who are giving of their time and energy to help in the flood fight. As a Winnipegger it's easy to not give a thought to what's... Continue Reading →
Cultivating relationships
Yesterday I attended a Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters Association (MFWBA) luncheon. The MFWBA is one of a few professional organizations I belong to. I'm also a member of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA) and the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS). I strongly believe in professional organization participation. Belonging to these kind of organizations allows you... Continue Reading →
Livestock and the environment
People and animals have been tied together for thousands of years. There's an "ancient contract" between the two, according to Dr. Henry Janzen, research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. But there are strains in that ancient contract. Do we need to rethink this ancient contract in order to minimize our footprint on the environment? asks... Continue Reading →
Planting the seeds that feed
Yesterday I attended the Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba (AITC-M) Annual General Meeting in Winnipeg. The goal of AITC-M is to enhance awareness of agriculture in Manitoba schools. For more information visit www.aitc.mb.ca. I've had the privilege of participating in a few AITC-M programs and activities during the past few years, including the Amazing Agriculture Adventure, the... Continue Reading →
Make ag research a priority
Back in January the Country Guide magazine published a story about Canada's Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) dropping "food and agriculture" from its list of targeted areas for research funding. Here's a link to the story in Country Guide if you want to read it: http://www.country-guide.ca/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000400024 To feed a growing world population, Canadian... Continue Reading →
Flood, farmers and food
In Saturday's Winnipeg Free Press reporter Bartley Kives wrote a story titled, Farmers' hopes washing away. Here's the link if you want to read it: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/farmers-hopes-washing-away-119967924.html Kives writes about how the current flood throughout southern Manitoba is affecting farmers' fields and will impact food prices. I was pleased to see such a story in the Winnipeg Free... Continue Reading →
Agriculture is more than food
Approximately a month ago an event called Agriculture in the City took place at the Forks Market in downtown Winnipeg. This was my third Ag in the City event, which is the brainchild of Richard Lavergne with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Manitoba branch. Every year I look forward to this event as I feel it's important... Continue Reading →
Behind the scenes: The making of the MRAC video
This past November the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council (MRAC) board of directors decided the council should make a video to celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2011. As Communications Officer, the video production fell on my shoulders. I was very excited about this new project but concerned about the tight timeline. The board wanted the video done... Continue Reading →
Rural Route Ramblings 