The future of agriculture education looks brighter thanks to a pivotal three-year funding boost from the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) to Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba (AITC-M). This significant support, amounting to $120,000 over three years, will play a pivotal role in expanding and enriching agricultural education programs for K-12 students across Manitoba.
MCGA has committed $40,000 annually for the next three years, starting in the 2023/24 financial year. This substantial investment will be directed towards expanding AITC-M’s educational programs and resources. These initiatives aim to enhance K-12 students’ understanding of agriculture, focusing on the origins of their food and the vital role of local producers.
Alongside this financial support, MCGA will continue to provide valuable volunteer assistance, further strengthening this impactful partnership.
“We are deeply grateful for MCGA’s ongoing commitment and belief in the importance of our work,” says Katharine Cherewyk, Executive Director of AITC-M. “This funding will enable us to broaden our reach and deepen our impact, helping more students across Manitoba to understand where their food comes from and appreciate the crucial role of agriculture in our lives.”
MCGA’s contribution is more than a financial boost; it is a strong endorsement of AITC-M’s mission to promote agricultural literacy. This partnership has already yielded fruitful outcomes, such as the development of the Foundations of Manitoba Agriculture virtual resource hub. This platform offers comprehensive learning opportunities about 18 foundational commodities in Manitoba, including canola.
In addition, MCGA has been instrumental in creating innovative learning resources like the Manitoba Seed Kit/Trousse de graines du Manitoba and the Follow the Canola Farmer virtual farm tour. These initiatives provide hands-on, interactive experiences that bring the world of agriculture directly into classrooms.
“MCGA has been a longstanding supporter of AITC-M,” says Delaney Ross Burtnack, MCGA’s Executive Director. “Their excellent work to create curriculum-based content that connects students to where and how their food is grown only increases in importance as these future consumers and decision-makers become further removed from the realities of farming. Investing in AITC-M is an investment in future generations of ag-savvy consumers and leaders in the province, and we are excited to support this fantastic organization to continue to grow and succeed to benefit everyone in agriculture over the long-term.”
This multi-year commitment ensures sustained support for AITC-M’s mission, paving the way for a brighter future in agricultural education. As we celebrate this landmark investment from MCGA, we also encourage other organizations to consider making similar multi-year commitments that can significantly advance the cause of agriculture education.
