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.