Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba (AITC-M) recently welcomed critical multi-year funding from another commodity partner, as Manitoba Egg Farmers (MEF) have pledged $75,000 over three years to support AITC-M and its mission of agriculture education. The funding will go toward expanding ag education programs in Manitoba and sending more learning resources to educators so K-12 students can understand where their food comes from and who produces it.
“I’m thrilled to welcome this investment from Manitoba Egg Farmers as it builds momentum for us as an organization,” says Katharine Cherewyk, Executive Director of AITC-M. “Our long-term vision is one where Manitoba students have the tools they need to know agriculture, think critically about agriculture, and feel connected to this important way of life for so many in our province. With the security of multi-year funding from partners like Manitoba Egg Farmers, we can spend more time building capacity, reducing educator waitlists, and ensuring more students will have the opportunity to learn about agriculture in the years ahead.”
MEF’s funding represents a significant endorsement of AITC-M and agriculture literacy and continues an excellent relationship that has helped produce programs and resources that teach students about egg production in Manitoba.
“We fully support AITC-M’s vision for agriculture education in the province and we’re looking forward to working together to expand Manitoba students’ knowledge base,” said Catherine Kroeker-Klassen, Chair of MEF. “Farmers are caregivers of the land and the animals that produce our food. AITC-M is a wonderful ambassador for agriculture and bridges the gap between farmers and children who want to learn about where their food comes from. We look forward to a mutual partnership.”
As a foundational sponsor, MEF has played a critical role in the development of popular AITC-M offerings. Their expertise and critical eye helped create the Foundations of Manitoba Agriculture virtual resource hub, which includes ways for students from K-12 to learn about 18 foundational commodities in the province, including eggs. MEF also supported the creation of Eat Well: Exploring Canada’s Food Guide, which allows Grade 5-8 students to take a deep dive into the new guide and explore healthy eating in fun, interactive ways.
The multi-year commitment will start during the 2023/24 financial year and extend until 2025/26, ensuring sustained support for AITC-M’s mission. As we celebrate this significant investment from MEF, we encourage other organizations to follow suit and make multi-year commitments that drive the advancement of agriculture education.
