Korey Peters, sunflower crop committee

Korey Peters farms near Randolph, MB, with his family at Herbsigwil Farms. Herb is his grandpa, Sig is his uncle and Will is his dad. Korey is a third-generation farmer, and the fourth generation is already on the farm full-time. Herbsigwil Farms grows wheat, canola, soybeans, corn and sunflowers.

Korey lives on the farm with his wife and their two children, who enjoy spending lots of time in the yard.

What motivated you to get into farming?

I was always working on the farm in the summers. I came back full time in 2011 when my uncle had slowed down a little, and I just never left.

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

We started growing sunflowers when we were looking to add another crop in our rotation, and someone I know approached me because MCA was looking for committee members after some delegates had termed out.

We chatted about it. It’s not a huge time commitment to be on a crop committee. I had been on a few boards not related to ag, so I had an idea how they run. I thought I’d get involved, and that’s how it started.

It’s been great to meet other farmers. Most farmers love talking farming, especially with other farmers from Manitoba. There are differences depending on where you farm and the weather from east to west, so it’s interesting to talk about what varieties we’re growing, diseases and pests and how others are managing them, and the differences we can apply to our own farm.

What does your role on the sunflower crop committee involve?

We meet quarterly. MCA is a research-oriented organization, so we make decisions about whether we think research dollars should be used on certain proposals. We review proposals from graduate students and researchers related to sunflowers, whether that involves disease, genetics, insects or other issues. Projects can range from one- to five-year timelines. Before I joined, the committee had started the process of bringing a sunflower confection variety to Manitoba, which is now in trials here.

How has being a sunflower crop committee delegate benefitted you?

It’s helped me realize how much work goes on behind the scenes by boards and committees like this. Since MCA amalgamated, I feel like it has been very purposefully driven. MCA has really figured out its purpose and focused on it, and the subcommittees feel the effects of that. We come up with ideas and continue to do the work in the background, then pass it to the board of directors, which makes the final decisions on where things are heading.

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

The confectionary sunflower variety. MCA has brought a confectionary seed variety almost to market. It’s very close. One of our board members is growing quite a bit of it this year. It was grown in 2025, and there’s a larger acreage planned for 2026. We have a few companies looking at purchasing it, and we’re starting the process of figuring out the best way to market it going forward.

Is there anything you’d like farmer members to know about the work MCA is doing?

MCA is really pushing to reach all its members through newsletters, social media, emails and outreach. They’re trying to let everybody know all this amazing research is happening. Farmers are always looking for answers. We like to talk to each other for real-life experience on the farm. This is research done by farmers, for farmers. Getting that information out there and working hard to spread the word is very important.

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

I think being involved is great for farmers. It’s important to be involved in a committee of some kind, whether it’s research like MCA or something else, and to find a way to give back to the farming community. We all use the resources that come from it. A lot of people wonder where their check-off dollars go but don’t always look into it. When you get involved, you realize the value of those dollars going to organizations like MCA.

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

Since I’ve been farming full-time, our farm has gone through quite a growth spurt. The third generation has grown the farm and worked really hard at it. We’re now in a position to maintain and improve our land going forward. Rather than focusing on expansion, we’re looking at refining and improving what we have. We’re in a comfortable spot to support our families living here while improving efficiencies.

Do you have any hobbies outside of farming?

I enjoy golf in the summer and beer league hockey in the winter. I also help coach my kids’ hockey and baseball teams.

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

I’m obviously a child of the ’80s. I love a good pizza pop, even if it’s cold. Wrap it in tin foil, put it on the exhaust of the tractor and it warms right back up!

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

I was a high school music teacher for five years before coming back to farming full-time. My family is musical. My sister is a music teacher, and my brother was involved in music growing up. That’s what happens when your dad’s a farmer and your mom’s a voice and music teacher: you get both worlds.

Follow Korey on X @koreypeters.