Manitoba Government Expands Agricultural Services With New MASC Offices In Virden And Shoal Lake

Sep 23, 2025

The Manitoba government is strengthening support for farmers and rural communities with two new Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) offices in Virden and Shoal Lake, Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced here today.

“Our government is committed to ensuring Westman farmers have the tools and support they need to succeed after the previous government closed these offices,” said Kostyshyn. “By opening new MASC offices in Virden and Shoal Lake, we are making it easier for producers to access programs and services closer to home, where they are needed most.”

The new offices will improve access to MASC programs and services, providing more convenient, in-person support for crop insurance, lending and other key resources, the minister said.

MASC plays a vital role in supporting the province’s agriculture sector through risk management, financing, and advisory services, noted the minister, adding that the new locations are part of the Manitoba government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen rural communities.

“The Town of Virden is so pleased to welcome the MASC offices back,” said Mayor Tina Williams, Town of Virden. “The value of having a local office for our surrounding farm communities cannot be overstated.”

The Virden and Shoal Lake offices are now open to serve 650 to 700 farmers and agri-businesses in the surrounding regions. Each new service centre is staffed by four full-time employees and a team of insurance adjusters.

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Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.