Ag in the Classroom expansion plan gets multi-year funding

Oct 11, 2023

Agriculture in the Classroom says its plan to expand ag education programs in Manitoba is a step closer to reality after the Manitoba Egg Farmers (MEF) pledged multi-year financial backing.

The financial commitment was announced in a Sept. 26 news release.

“There is a recognition that most of the population is moving further and further away from knowing where their food comes from,” said Catherine Kroeker-Klassen, Manitoba Egg Farmers chair, in a statement to the Co-operator.

“At the same time, there is greater interest in nutrition and healthy living. When that emphasis is happening in the home, kids pick up on that.”

The egg farmers have said this is why they decided to offer $75,000 over three years to Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba (AITC-M). The organization has previously supported the program in one-year increments.

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Video: Assessing Welfare Resources During Late Finish - Dr. Anna Johnson & Emma Coursey

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Anna Johnson from Iowa State University and Emma Coursey from the University of Illinois discuss research evaluating welfare resources during the late finishing stage on commercial swine farms. They explain how feeder management, water use, space allocation, and pig health influence welfare outcomes and practical on-farm management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Small resource issues can become larger welfare problems when multiple stressors interact across finishing barns."

Meet the guests: Dr. Anna Johnson / anna-johnson-05028a14 is the Morrill Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Iowa State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Texas Tech University and completed her master's degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on practical solutions that improve farm animal welfare, including sow productive lifetime, animal-human interaction, environmental enrichment, and Precision Livestock Farming.

Emma Coursey / emma-coursey-183810241 is pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine after earning a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. Her academic interests include swine health, production, and animal welfare, with research experience evaluating welfare resources in commercial finishing pigs.