This is a start of a number of things, but really, this is about growing and retaining the food business, and by finalizing the food processing sector to reach Manitoba’s target of $5.5 billion in processing industry goals,” says ag minister Ron Kostyshyn. “And also working with existing businesses to accelerate growth, creating online resources and tools to support the food business.”

Manitoba has about 32,000 jobs in the agriculture and agri-food industries, contributing $3.6 billion to the provincial economy. Kostyshyn says the Farm and Food Awareness week highlights the positive impact agriculture has on Manitobans every day.

“I guess I often refer to this as added value — what we have today, what we grow locally, and how we can put additional businesses and opportunities to continue to grow our economy in the province of Manitoba,” he says.

Kostyshyn says Manitoba’s farms, the food sector and the agriculture industry as a whole have a positive impact on every Manitoban’s daily life.

He encouraged everyone to use this week to learn more about the nutritious food we produce, the farm families who take care of our land and the exciting research that happens right here in our province, providing jobs and strengthening our economy.

Farm and Food Awareness week is an example of the province’s ongoing commitment to the success of this industry, said minister Kostyshyn. Last January, he announced a new five-point strategy to support the long-term growth of Manitoba’s food industry including smaller-scale farmers and processors.

One public event gave the public the opportunity to learn about Manitoba’s hog industry and how food gets from the farm to their plates as the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre observed Open Farm Day in Manitoba.

This kicked off Farm and Food Awareness Week where visitors to the centre had a free pork-on-a-bun BBQ lunch compliments of Manitoba Pork.

Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre manager Myrna Grahn says one of the facility’s highlights is the opportunity to see directly into the University’s swine research barn.

Manitoba Pork is a contributor and involved from the beginning.

“What’s unique about our centre is that you can view the various parts of an operating hog barn, which the majority of people would never get an opportunity to see because of biosecurity and having to shower in and shower out of our of our hog barns across the province,” said Grahn. “So, here at the centre, we are able to let people see the piglets being born, see the sows, see the pigs after they’ve been weaned from their mothers and it’s just a great opportunity.”  •

— By Harry Siemens

photos supplied by

Bruce D Campbell Centre