MCA News

April 25, 2025 (Winnipeg, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has announced a historic investment of $195,000 in Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba (AITC-M), an initiative set to expand classroom garden programs across the province. This bold funding will enable students to explore agriculture from seed to harvest through hands-on learning, deepening their connection with where their food comes from and the people who produce it.

At the heart of this initiative is MCA’s belief that agriculture is the greatest story never fully told. This investment is not merely about providing garden kits or curriculum enhancements, but rather about fostering public trust, advancing food literacy, and inspiring future leaders in agriculture.

MCA chair Jonothan Hodson reinforces the importance of early agriculture education by noting that “as fewer people grow up in rural areas, it has become especially important that young people gain an early understanding of farming and where their food comes from. We hope our investment will help equip students with that understanding and might even inspire them to consider careers in agriculture when they grow up.”

By sparking the wonder of watching a plant grow, these programs ignite lifelong learning and help students engage more meaningfully with the food they eat.

AITC-M, the lead organization behind these educational efforts, sees the MCA investment as a pivotal moment in the growth of its programming.

“This investment is truly game-changing for one of our most popular and in-demand programs,” says Katharine Cherewyk, executive director of AITC-M. “It will allow us to significantly expand our reach, connecting with more teachers and students in more communities across Manitoba. The classroom garden program offers a highly impactful, hands-on experience that brings agriculture to life in meaningful and memorable ways.”

Beyond its impact in the classroom, this transformative investment also marks a significant evolution in MCA’s relationship with AITC-M. What started as a base-level partnership has blossomed into a shared commitment to empower young people through education, curiosity, and community connection.

MCA vice-chair Sally Parsonage highlights the broader impact, stating that “agriculture education is crucial to the future of our industry. By supporting initiatives like the AITC-M classroom garden programs, we can ensure the next generation of Manitoba consumers appreciates and respects the important role farmers play in feeding people, here at home and around the world.”

Together, MCA and AITC-M are not just planting seeds in the ground—they are cultivating a vibrant future for agriculture in Manitoba, ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped to understand and sustain the food systems that support their communities.

To learn more about AITC-M and its transformative initiatives, please visit aitc.mb.ca. For additional information about MCA, please visit mbcropalliance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Tanis Chalmers
Engagement & Development Manager
Agriculture in the Classroom -Manitoba
204-522-7020
Tanis@aitc.mb.ca

About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing more than 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

About Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba:
Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba connects educators and students from K to 12 with curriculum-based programs, learning activities and educational resources designed to learn more about the important role agriculture plays in their everyday lives. AITC-M has been in operation since 1988 and is a member of Agriculture in the Classroom-Canada.

Feb. 26, 2025 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has awarded six post-secondary students from Manitoba with MCA 2024-25 bursaries valued at $2,000 each. The six bursary recipients are Mika Cleave from Ochre River, Noah Kaminsky from Brunkild, Chad Pouteau from Mariapolis, Layne Thompson from Ochre River, Jadyn Wiebe from Plum Coulee, and Abby Mazier from Justice.

“Educating and inspiring the next generation is a strategic priority for our organization,” says MCA chair Robert Misko. “Each of our bursary recipients has chosen to pursue their passion and expand their knowledge, and I hope they will eventually use that knowledge and passion to advance our industry.”

MCA established these bursaries to assist with the financial needs of students who are enrolled in a post-secondary agricultural program within the province of Manitoba.

An independent selection committee was contracted to evaluate the applicants based on their connection to or interest in agriculture, explanation of why they decided to enrol in an agriculture-related post-secondary program, how they hope to benefit the agriculture industry once they have graduated and are in the workforce, and their academics and writing skills.

This year, the selection committee included Curtis Cavers, an agronomist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada based in Portage la Prairie, and Loveleen Kaur Dhillon, the agronomist in residence for special crops at the University of Manitoba.

For more information about the MCA 2024-25 bursary program and to read biographies of the recipients, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing more than 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

Feb. 25, 2025 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is now accepting applications for 2025 Advance Payments Program (APP) cash advances, with funds to be issued starting April 1.

The APP is a federal loan program administered by MCA. It offers Canadian farmers marketing flexibility through interest-free and low-interest cash advances. Under the program, eligible farmers are eligible to receive up to $1 million, with the Government of Canada paying the interest on the first $100,000 of the advance for the 2025 program year.

For the 2025 program year, MCA’s interest rate on interest-bearing cash advances is prime – 0.50 per cent. This interest-bearing rate is competitive with other APP administrators, major banks and credit unions. MCA is also maintaining a low, one-time application fee of $250 for the 2025 program year.

To correspond with the start of the 2025 spring program, MCA has launched a new APP cash advance website: mcacashadvance.ca. The site was designed to improve the user experience for APP cash advance clients, with a streamlined layout and a new client portal that will be available soon.

“The new website is a one-stop-shop for our cash advance clients, with application forms, key deadlines and other important information presented in a format that is easier than ever to navigate,” says MCA COO Darcelle Graham. “This is just one more way we can ensure our clients receive the exceptional service they deserve when they come to us for a cash advance.”

To apply for an advance under the 2025 program year, farmers can visit mcacashadvance.ca, or phone the MCA office at 1-204-745-6661 or toll-free 1-877-598-5685 to request an application form.

MCA also continues to process applications for the 2024 program year on over 35 crop kinds and honey until March 14.

If farmers would like to be notified regarding APP-specific information, please email hello@mbcropalliance.ca to be added to the subscriber list. More information about the APP cash advance program can be found at mcacashadvance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Darcelle Graham
Chief Operating Officer
Manitoba Crop Alliance
204-745-6661
darcelle@mbcropalliance.ca

About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing more than 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

Feb. 12, 2025 (Carman, MB; Winnipeg, MB) – The University of Manitoba has hired Loveleen Kaur Dhillon as its agronomist in residence for special crops, a new, five-year position funded by Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA).

MCA recognized a gap in research capacity for special crops (i.e., corn, sunflower and flax) in Manitoba and identified this position as an opportunity to expand applied agronomy research for these crops. Research outcomes over these five years will lead to recommendation-based results, addressing agronomic challenges and contributing to the advancement of the special crops industry in Manitoba.

“MCA strives to fund meaningful research that advances all the crop types we represent, but this can sometimes be difficult for the smaller-acreage crops,” says Jonothan Hodson, MCA vice-chair and corn crop committee delegate.

“This position will boost research capacity for these underserved crops and ensure they remain productive and sustainable options for all our farmer members.”

Dhillon has a PhD from the University of Saskatchewan, with a specialization in plant breeding and agronomy. She is eager to engage with the special crops industry to develop an impactful research program that provides significant return on investment for Manitoba farmers.

“This hiring is the culmination of a long process that saw us look at many potential ways to increase research capacity for corn, sunflower and flax in Manitoba,” says Katherine Stanley, research program manager for special crops with MCA.

“Loveleen brings a lot of valuable experience and enthusiasm to the role, and we’re excited to work with her to advance the special crops industry in the province.”

The agronomist in residence for special crops will develop an applied research program focused on identifying best management practices for Manitoba corn, sunflower and flax farmers. They will also communicate research results and increase knowledge transfer between the University of Manitoba and Manitoba’s special crops industry.

“We welcome Loveleen to the University of Manitoba into an important role that will carry out practical farm-level research and share best practices to producers. She will also help foster the next generation of agricultural leaders through hands-on training and mentorship,” says Martin Scanlon, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Crystal Jorgenson
Communications Specialist
Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
University of Manitoba
204-474-9435
crystal.jorgenson@umanitoba.ca

About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing more than 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

Nov. 27, 2024 (Carman, MB)  – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has received approval to start issuing cash advances on winter wheat and fall rye planted in fall 2024 through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Advance Payments Program (APP).

The APP is a federal loan program administered by MCA. It offers Canadian farmers marketing flexibility through interest-free and low-interest cash advances. Under the program, eligible farmers are eligible to receive up to $1,000,000, with the Government of Canada paying the interest on the first $100,000 of the advance for the 2025 program year.

Funds can be issued in three to five business days once the application process is complete. MCA’s interest rate on interest-bearing cash advances is competitive with major banks and credit unions.

“Our friendly and knowledgeable APP staff understand the complex financial needs of farmers,” says MCA chair Robert Misko. “The friendly and personalized service they provide to clients keeps them coming back to us year after year for their cash advance needs.”

To apply for an advance under the 2025 program year on winter wheat and fall rye planted in fall 2024, farmers can phone MCA’s office at 1-204-745-6661 or toll-free at 1-877-598-5685 to request an application form.

MCA also continues to process applications for the 2024 program year on more than 35 crop kinds and honey.

If farmers would like to be notified regarding APP-specific information, please email hello@mbcropalliance.ca to be added to the subscriber list. More information on the APP can be found at mbcropalliance.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Darcelle Graham
Chief Operating Officer
204-745-6661
darcelle@mbcropalliance.ca

^{About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing more than 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.}

Nov. 19, 2024 (Carman, MB) – Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) and Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG) have committed $691,591 in funding to Manitoba Diversification Centres to increase research capacity in the province.

MCA recently commissioned a study evaluating research capacity in the province. The resulting report highlighted four main challenges to maintaining and expanding research capacity: equipment, infrastructure and land, funding programs, and human resources.

This investment is enabling the diversification centres to purchase new or specialized equipment, such as tractors and seeders. The equipment will help the centres enhance the efficiency of their current operations and expand the types of research they conduct to provide impactful results to farmers across the province.

“We identified inadequate equipment as one of the primary challenges holding back research capacity in Manitoba and this investment will help bridge that gap,” says Katherine Stanley, research program manager for special crops with MCA.

“The diversification centres conduct crucial, applied research on behalf of our farmer members, and their locations across the province ensure that regional differences in soil and climate can be studied.”

Manitoba Diversification Centres are non-profit, farmer- and industry-directed organizations that are integral to keeping the flow of applied research information to farmers alive. They host a wide range of research activities that MPSG and MCA are invested in, such as AgriScience Program cluster projects, regional variety evaluation trials, and product evaluation and comparison trials.

“Each diversification centre has a capable team that we believe in and rely on each year to carry out mainstay projects and to be agile in accommodating new research,” says Cassandra Tkachuk, research project manager with MPSG. “We are pleased to collaborate with MCA in supporting the expansion of field research capacity at the centres to continue sending value back to farmers.”

The four diversification centres in the province are at Carberry, Roblin, Arborg and Melita, covering a variety of agro-climate conditions and soil types to highlight the response of crops to different growing conditions. By accounting for unique growing conditions at each location, the centres can conduct more robust and meaningful research, while testing novel ideas such as alternative crops and agronomic practices.

The investments from MCA and MPSG will be distributed among the four diversification centres as follows:

• Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre (MCDC)
  • $198,697 from MCA
• Parkland Crop Diversification Foundation (PCDF)
  • $64,237 from MCA
  • $64,237 from MPSG
• Prairies East Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (PESAI)
  • $122,000 from MCA
  • $122,000 from MPSG
• Westman Agricultural Diversification Organization (WADO)
  • $63,860 from MCA
  • $56,560 from MPSG

“On behalf of the WADO board, we are excited to partner with MCA and MPSG on the capital investments grant,” says WADO chair Gary Barker. “Purchases will help WADO with building capacity efficiencies, reduce risk from wildlife losses, and assist with monitoring greenhouse gases in future projects.”

To learn more about the Manitoba Diversification Centres, visit mbdiversificationcentres.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

Kate Menold
Communications Coordinator (Contract)
Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers
204-807-1912
kate.menold@manitobapulse.ca

About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing more than 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

About Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers:
Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG) was founded in 1984 and represents over 3,500 producers in Manitoba who grow soybeans, edible beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas and faba beans. MPSG’s mission is to provide farmer members with production knowledge and market development support, through focused research, advocacy and linkages with industry partners. MPSG is funded by a 0.5% check off levy and is governed by a board of directors, including elected active producers and appointed industry representatives. For more information, visit manitobapulse.ca.