Cleanfarms Adds Manitoba Producer, Agricultural Leader & Educator to its Board

Jan 16, 2026

Cleanfarms, the national organization that develops and operates environmental stewardship programs for agricultural plastics and packaging, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Lepischak to its Board of Directors. Mr. Lepischak, a grain/oilseeds and beef producer, educator and Director with the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC), who joined the board in late 2025, brings a strong producer perspective and valuable governance experience from Western Canada to the Cleanfarms board.

Mr. Lepischak is a seasoned producer from Neepawa, Manitoba, who has dedicated significant time to producer advocacy and organizational governance, serving also on the boards of the Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) and the Manitoba Oat Growers Association (MOGA), experience which he now brings to GGC. His deep understanding of the policy and operational issues facing cereal and oilseed farmers across Canada will be instrumental as Cleanfarms continues to expand its recycling and management programs nationwide.

“We are pleased to welcome Bob Lepischak to the Cleanfarms Board of Directors,” said Boyd Bergstrom, Cleanfarms Board Chair. “Bob’s wide-ranging expertise as a producer with experience in grain-sector policy will strengthen our work, helping us deliver accessible, producer-driven stewardship solutions for the challenges ahead.”

“Plastics are valuable in the business of farming – there’s no getting around it. And at the end of the day – when we’re finished with them, we don’t want them to go to landfills or wind up in the environment,” commented Bob Lepischak. “I’m proud to add my voice to the Cleanfarms Board on behalf of growers so we can find solutions for them – not just for today – but for years to come.”

Cleanfarms is committed to ensuring that its governance reflects the diverse needs of Canadian agriculture, from grain and oilseed production to horticulture and livestock. The organization works with its members, partners, and provincial regulators to manage agricultural waste and promote circular economy solutions across the country.

Source : Clean Farmers

Video: predictive weed Management saves on herbicide costs and increases yield potential

Gowan Canada is partnering with Geco Strategic Weed Management to help Canadian growers take a strategic approach to weed control through data-driven prediction and planning.

Geco’s technology uses data and AI to map where weeds have been over the past five years and predict where patches are likely to emerge next season. These insights allow farms and retailers to plan ahead and target actions in the most challenging areas.

“Our technology enables the question: if you could know where your most problematic patches are and where they are spreading to, what could you do differently? That’s what our technology makes possible,” said Greg Stewart, CEO of Geco. “Many of our farms are already using our prescriptions along with Gowan products, so this collaboration is a natural next step.”