Share your fuel bill with KAP
In order to better illustrate how the carbon tax is impacting Manitoba farmers, we are asking producers to share their fuel bill with us. We have received numerous emails and messages, but we are still collecting more data, and we need your help. You are welcome to either drop your bill off at the KAP office, bring it to our AGM next week, or email it to our office at joey.dearborn@kap.ca, and let us know how much you paid this harvest season. We are working on a submission to both levels of government to show how the carbon tax has directly impacted Manitoba farmers. Initial data shows Manitoba farmers paid over $1.7M in carbon tax on the cost of drying grain or about $3.69 an acre.
 
Important information on MELT
On behalf of Manitoba Infrastructure, we have been asked to clarify, on their behalf, that no final decisions have been made by the department on the agricultural deferral period and that there has not been a concrete decision on what happens to class 1 licenses obtained during the deferral period. Manitoba Infrastructure hosted a consultation at Manitoba Ag Days, and will soon be launching an online consultation process. KAP asks that concerned producers take part in the consultation process and ensure that your voice is heard by government.
 
Appointment opportunity – young farmers
The federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food has launched the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council, a group of young Canadians who will provide advice on agriculture and agri-food issues. Meetings will be held twice a year and online as needed. Women and men aged 18-30, working in the agriculture or agri-food value chain are eligible. To apply or learn more, click here. Applications are open until February 14.
 
Competition Bureau decision – Parrish & Heimbecker
The federal Commissioner of Competition has filed a notice of application about the acquisition of Louis Dreyfus grain terminals by Parrish & Heimbecker. This predominantly would affect producers in western Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan, primarily in the Virden/Moosomin area. To read the application, click here.
 
KAP in the news
Manitoba sticks with rejected green plan
Carbon tax cost on drying Manitoba corn pegged at $2M
Canadian producers seek exemption related to grain drying
Premier says grain drying would be exempt from a provincial carbon tax
Crafting a human resources plan for your farm
 
Notice of vacancy – KAP Vice President
KAP Vice President Mitch Janssens has made his intention known that he will not stand for re-election to the position of KAP vice president. Nominations of the office of vice president may be made verbally or in writing by any delegate present during the nominations portion of the annual meeting, and the nominee must be a district delegate. Nominated individuals must consent to their nomination either in writing or personally.
 
2020 KAP Annual General Meeting – Registration
Registration for the 2020 KAP Annual General Meeting is now available. The meeting will focus on Manitoba’s 150^th anniversary, serving as a celebration of the contribution that farmers have made towards our province. This year’s keynote speaker is John Ibbitson, an award-winning journalist and best-selling author. The agenda includes panels on emerging farm issues, and the final day includes a hands-on ecological goods and services workshop. To learn more about our AGM and to register, click here.
 
KAP Policy Sunset Clause
KAP’s Advisory Council has requested that KAP introduce a sunset clause on all action resolutions and identify sunsetting resolutions at the annual meeting for information. We will be archiving resolutions up to and including those passed in 2015 which totals 1284 resolutions. All resolutions passed since our inception in 1984 have contributed to KAP’s policy development. KAP district committee members and commodity associations have an opportunity to reaffirm sunsetting resolutions at the 2019 Annual Meeting. To view the process for reaffirming resolutions, or to read a full list of resolutions to be sunsetted, click here. If you have any questions, please contact KAP policy analyst Alanna Gray.
 
Manitoba Young Farmer conference
The Manitoba Young Farmer conference will take place Thursday, March 5 at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg. This year’s keynote speaker is Evan Shout, the president and co-founder of Maverick Ag Ltd and the CFO of Hebert Grain Ventures, and the focus of his presentation will be on how data analytics can allow farmers to have the answers to questions that haven’t been asked yet. Registration details will be available very soon. Stay tuned!
 
Manitoba Commodity Organization webinar
The next Manitoba Commodity Organization Amalgamation Proposal webinar will take place on Thursday, January 30 from 9:00am to 10:00am. To register for the webinar, click here. To read more about the amalgamation proposal, click here.
 
Mental Health first aid workshop
There will be a two-day mental health first aid workshop available to producers, hosted by Farm Marketer, on March 25 and 26 in Steinbach. The goal of the training is to provide agriculture communities across Canada with the tools to begin supporting ourselves and one another through not only a mental health crisis but also to mental wellbeing. To learn more and to register, click here.
 
FCC Young Farmer Summit
FCC’s Young Farmer Summit – Ignite – takes place Wednesday March 4 at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg. This event is open to anyone under 40 involved in agriculture, agribusiness or agri-food. Hear from guest speakers on topics like succession planning, personal finances, and trends in agriculture economics. Registration is free. Click here to learn more and register.
 
GROW project proposals now open
The first call for Letters of Intent for project proposals under Manitoba’s new Growing Outcomes in Watersheds (GROW) Program opened on January 10. Groups that are eligible to deliver GROW (Watershed Districts) may apply for up to $500,000 in funding. Other groups may consider applying to the Conservation Trust under criteria established in the Watersheds category, where the maximum funding available is $250,000. Letters of intent must be submitted by Feb. 14th, 2020, to be considered in the first round of proposals. For more information about GROW, contact your local Watershed District or Government of Manitoba at 204-945-0002. Click here for more information on the proposal process.
 
Manitoba Protein Challenge
Are you a Manitoba food entrepreneur or business with a new plant or animal protein product? Join Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development at the Manitoba Protein Challenge in Winnipeg on March 17, 2020 where you could present your protein product to retailers and distributors. The event takes place on Agriculture Awareness Day and will bring together approximately 100 agriculture and food industry stakeholders. Retailers and distributors will vote for their favourite protein products to win the Manitoba Protein Challenge. Visit the Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development website for information on how you can apply to compete in the Challenge.
 
KAP photo contest
Last summer, KAP ran a photo contest to help fill the blank walls in our offices in Winnipeg. Thanks to the success of the program we were able to select five photos for our boardroom, but there is still more blank space to fill. We are now accepting submissions for more photos for our offices and for use on our social media channels. We only ask that they photos are high resolution so that they will easily transfer to a large print. If you have any questions or would like to submit a photo, please email Joey at joey.dearborn@kap.ca.
 
Upcoming EFP workshops
Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) are an essential part of farm operations, and is a voluntary, confidential self-assessment of a producer’s operation. EFP identifies agri-environmental assets and risks in order to develop an action plan to address risks and must be renewed every five years to remain valid. Workshops are planned across the province in January and February. To learn more or to register for an upcoming workshop, click here.
 
Federal government student work placement program
Thinking of hiring a student? You may be eligible to receive up to $7,000 in wage subsidies.
The Government of Canada's Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) offers a variety of funding opportunities for employers. Through SWPP, organizations within Canada that offer full-time employment opportunities between 12-16 weeks for full-time Canadian post-secondary students can receive wage subsidies. For more information, click here.
 
Prairie Organics: Think Whole Farm Conference 2020
The Prairie Organics: Think Whole Farm conference and trade show is back for its third conference this March! During 2 days of conference presentations, conference delegates will learn about building soil fertility, managing weeds, the latest cultivation and seeding equipment along with other cross cutting issues such as building biodiversity and responding to a changing climate. Organic producers can build their markets by participating in one-on-one business meetings with buyers and networking sessions throughout the event. We invite the public to the largest organic trade show in Western Canada, to learn more about environmentally friendly farming practices. We’ll see you March 5th and 6th, 2020 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. Early-bird registration until January 30^th. To learn more and to register, click here.
 
Hiring U of M students – Career Connect
The University of Manitoba has migrated their job posting services to a new platform called Career Connect. Farmers and producers can submit help wanted ads through this new platform to hire U of M students, under the Agriculture Career and Co-op module, and costs $100 for four months. To register for Career Connect and post ads, click here. Job posting services are available year-round at no cost to farmers and non-profit organizations.
 
U of M summer co-op placements
The U of M Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences has expanded their co-op program to include farm businesses. The deadline to indicate if you want a hire a co-op student for Summer 2020 is January 31, 2020. If you would like to discuss an opportunity for a student, please contact Kalynn Spain at kalynn.spain@unmanitoba.ca
 
Featured KAP member benefits
KAP has renewed an excellent member program with preferred rates for KAP Members at all Canad Inns Destination Centres.  Rates start at only $95/night at most locations.  A new addition for this year is that KAP Members will receive the lower of the KAP Member preferred rate or 10% off the flexible rate, whichever is lower at the time of booking. For more information or to make a booking click here and enter password “KAP2020” or call 1-866-527-0123, ext. 5
 
Manitoba Farmers’ Voice
Published four times a year, Manitoba Farmers’ Voice tells the stories and profiles the people that are vital to agriculture in our province. If you would like to subscribe, email Joey at joey.dearborn@kap.ca