Rural connectivity survey - share your experiences
Today, KAP is launching a rural connectivity survey to better understand what rural Manitobans are facing when it comes to cell coverage and broadband availability. A significant number of farming families still lack access to affordable, reliable broadband internet services, particularly when compared to urban users. Click here to take our online survey.
 
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, Evan Shout, is the president and co-founder of Maverick Ag Ltd and the CFO of Hebert Grain Ventures. The focus of his presentation will be improving on-farm efficiencies through data analytics. Click here to read more about Evan's work. Click here to view the full conference agenda and register. Registration closes February 26^th.
 
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.
 
Manitoba Farm Safety Conference
The Manitoba Farm Safety Program will once again be hosting a one-day conference in Morden at the Morden Access Event Centre on March 20^th in celebration of Canadian Ag Safety Week. The conference will cover several topic areas including emergency preparedness (lock out tag out, fire safety, 911 calling), mental health first aid, proper chain/strap use, and respirator fit testing. Click here to register and to see more information.

KAP Advisory Council meeting - change of date
The next KAP Advisory Council meeting will take place Thursday, April 9 at Canad Inns in Portage la Prairie. The first call for resolutions will be open soon. Stay tuned to the KAP Alert for upcoming deadlines.

Consultations on electronic logging devices
The Government of Manitoba is consulting with affected stakeholders on the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) in Manitoba. Transport Canada is mandating the use of ELDs via the federal Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Services Regulations starting in June 2021. For more information on open house locations and for a factsheet on these proposed changes, click here.
 
KAP in the news
Manitoba farmers keeping close eye on rail blockades following difficult harvest
How railway blockades are affecting Manitoba farmers
Ottawa gives $1.2M to grain council
Campbell sees challenges ahead for Manitoba farmers
KAP passes resolution on farmland access
Manitoba farmland values holding ground
Farm labour in short supply
Manitoba needs a farm labour plan
KAP partners with CYFF and FCC to announce Manitoba Young Farmers conference
 
Open house – PTH 1 and 1A Portage
Manitoba Infrastructure and WSP will be hosing an open house on the proposed design alternatives for the PTH 1 and 1A interchange and bridge structure, located just west of Portage la Prairie. This study is the first step towards improving traffic operations and replacing the damaged bridge at this location. The open house takes place Wednesday, February 26 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at Stride Place.

Discover Ag in the City
On March 14, 2020, KAP and other agricultural groups and organizations are partnering to host this year’s edition of Discover Ag in the City (DAITC) at The Forks. DAITC is a free event that offers the public a chance to explore the vibrant and innovative world of agriculture. Everyone is welcome to come discover how agriculture impacts our daily lives. Click here to view the DAITC website to view more information about the event.
 
Upcoming mental health first aid workshops
There are several upcoming mental health first aid workshops available to producers, 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 register for St. Pierre Jolys (February 27 and 28), click here. To learn more and to register for Steinbach (March 25 and 26), click here. To learn more and register for Winkler (April 30 and May 1), click here. For more information on upcoming mental health first aid workshops, click here.
 
Farm Safety Tip from the Manitoba Farm Safety Program
Electrical panels should not have exposed openings where there is no breaker. One reason is that if there is a fire in the panel the fire/sparks may flash through the holes. The spaces can be sealed with plastic “snap in” blanks.

CAHRC news release
Over the next decade, Canada’s grain and oilseed industry is expected to see one in four jobs go unfilled due to a lack of available workers. The resulting economic impact could be devastating to the industry’s growth. These findings are from the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), which has updated its labour market forecast research with the recent release of How Labour Challenges Will Shape the Future of the Grain and Oilseed Industry: Agriculture Forecast to 2029. The report reveals that in 2018 alone, the grain and oilseed sector lost a staggering $594 million in sales due to labour shortages. Click here to access the AgriHR toolkit, free to KAP members, and read more about this important information.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Featured KAP member benefits – Allianz out-of-country travel rates
We are pleased to announce that the Allianz 60 days per trip Out-of-Country annual travel plan rates will remain the same with single coverage at only $60 per year and couple/family coverage at only $144/yr. This very valuable and comprehensive travel insurance provides worldwide emergency annual travel up to $5.0 M coverage with no deductible.  There are no medical questions for enrolment and the program is available to all KAP members and employees of KAP members, under age 70. There is a 90-day stability clause - please see policy certificate for full details.  Please [click here for the frequently asked questions] or, for more information, e-mail, or call 1-866-527-0123 ext. 1.
 
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