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: Season 7, Episode 1: Managing Risk and Seeing Opportunities in U.S. Pork Production

Today’s episode features three guests discussing the similarities and differences between pork production in the United States and Brazil, along with strategies for managing risk in today’s industry while recognizing and acting on opportunities. First, Dr. Anne Caroline de Lara, executive manager of live pig production at Seara Alimentos, a JBS company in Brazil, is joined by Dr. Matthew Turner, head of operations for JBS Live Pork. Together, they discuss how labor, climate and ventilation challenges vary between Brazil and the United States, while underscoring their shared commitment to raising healthy pigs. They also point to lessons producers in both countries can take from one another’s systems and on-farm experiences. Then, Brady Reicks, risk manager at Reicks View Farms, shares his perspective on risk management, drawing from his background in markets and his transition into farming. He discusses how protecting margins varies by operation and offers practical approaches producers can use to make marketing and business decisions with greater confidence rather than hesitation.

Both conversations were recorded at recent industry events focused on swine livability, including the International Conference on Pig Livability and Iowa Swine Day.