The governments of Canada and Manitoba have launched 150 Years of Farming in Manitoba, an e-book developed in partnership with Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) that shares the 150-year evolution of the agriculture and agri-food sector in Manitoba, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.
“The 150 Years of Farming in Manitoba e-book acknowledges the hard work and dedication of our farmers and is an outstanding tribute to all the farming communities in Manitoba,” said Bibeau. “The agricultural sector is a pillar of our economy and our farmers are sustainably producing food of internationally recognized quality – a true success story over 150 years in the making.”
The e-book’s publication today comes on the last day of Manitoba Agriculture’s Food and Farm Awareness Week, an annual occasion for celebrating the province’s diverse, vibrant and sustainable agri-food system. The e-book highlights the economic, societal and environmental benefits of agriculture in Manitoba with a particular focus on the innovations of the last 50 years including those related to animal care, crop production, soil research and food safety.
“Our government is proud to support the province’s dynamic and modern agriculture sector and to celebrate Manitoba’s farmers who work tirelessly to sustainably meet the growing local, national and global demands for food in an environmentally conscious way,” said Johnson. “Our province was founded on agriculture and this e-book provides an important opportunity for our agricultural producers to showcase their ongoing dedication to a safe and reliable food supply.”
Support for the e-book initiative has been shared between the federal and Manitoba governments using funds through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, developed in partnership with KAP.
“Agriculture in Manitoba has evolved through the hard work and innovation of those who have come before us and by those who continue to lead us today, and being able to reflect on the previous 150 years gives us an opportunity to bring forward the lessons of history,” said Bill Campbell, president, KAP. “Throughout the past 150 years, agriculture has defined Manitoba’s people and has been the backbone of the province’s economy. This story pays tribute to the voices and forces that have shaped Manitoba itself.”
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3-billion commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes a $2-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
The e-book can be viewed online at www.AgricultureMB150.ca
