Jeffrey (Jeff) Stobbe-Wiebe farms near Springstein, MB, with his dad and brother, Dave and Keenan, at Wiebe Family Farms. He lives with his wife, Miriam, and their young son, Robin. They grow wheat, oats, barley, canola and soybeans.

What motivated you to get into farming?

I grew up on the farm and have been helping out since I was little. I left and became a brewer for a few years at different breweries around Winnipeg then realized I wanted to come back to the farm. Being outside every day is really nice. I like how much work on the farm changes day to day. One day you’re a welder, the next you’re a soil scientist or doing agronomy work. Every day is a little bit different. You also get to drive big tractors, which is always fun too.

What motivated you to get involved with Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA)?

We started a craft malting facility on our farm. We grow barley, we malt it and then sell it to local craft breweries. I work closely with the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC) in Winnipeg. They do a lot of field trials and research with MCA. In talking with CMBTC, they suggested I should get involved. As a barley grower and maltster, I’ve got a unique perspective, not just growing barley but also the value-added side. Through their encouragement, I became a delegate, and this year I also became a director.

What benefit do you think being a delegate has brought you?

I was only a delegate for three months before becoming a director, but being a delegate is great. I got to see the process of how MCA works, meet board members on the crop committee and learn more about what they do. It’s a nice way to get involved without having to be on the board or a decision-maker right away. It’s a good way for your voice to be heard while getting a sense of how the organization works and whether it’s a good fit for you.

What does your role on the wheat and barley committee involve?

Delegates are in charge of helping steer the ship a bit in terms of the vision and direction of what MCA is doing. MCA is focused on research, so we help set the direction for wheat and barley research we want to see coming down the pipeline. It’s great to be part of the decisions about where research dollars are spent and what projects we’re looking to fund. It’s good to be involved in the research side of agriculture and to see where your check-off dollars go.

Is there a project, issue or area of work you’re especially proud of being part of as a delegate?

Funding approvals (reviewing research papers) were a bit of a whirlwind. I’m generally proud of the whole process of going through research proposals and choosing where the funding should go. When we put our farm money into something, it’s nice to see the research that comes out of that process.

Why do you think other people should get involved with MCA?

Being involved means actually seeing where the research money is going. If you’re a grower of a certain crop type, this is a way to make sure your voice is heard.

What are you most excited about when it comes to the future of your farm?

Continuing to grow sustainable crops in Manitoba.

Do you have any hobbies outside of farming?

Skateboarding, biking, golf and disc golf.

What’s your go-to field meal during busy seasons?

My mom makes supper for harvest, whatever she’s bringing that day.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I was a brewer for seven years in Winnipeg. I also worked at a distillery in Copenhagen for three months.

If you weren’t farming, what do you think you’d be doing?

Malting or brewing.

What is your favourite food or meal to cook?

I like cooking green curry. I also bake a lot, like kouign-amann. It’s kind of like a sweet and salty croissant.