Manitoba Organics

08/04/2026

Last Thursday was a fantastic day in the fields, and another successful collaboration between Manitoba Organics and the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association! 🐄 A sincere thanks to Ian, Zach and the Grossart family for hosting a Grazing and Field Day at Howpark Farms. From innovative grazing management and research, to discussions on nitrogen cycling, biodiversity, water management, and biochar, the day was filled with valuable insights and great conversations. A heartfelt thank you everyone who joined us to make the day such a success!
Thank you to our speakers:
Sherry Punak-Murphy,
Baljeet Singh,
Michelle Carkner.

Thank you to our sponsors:
Ecocert Canada,
Manitoba Association of Watersheds,
Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP),
Farmers For Climate Solutions - Fermiers pour la transition climatique,
Manitoba Habitat Conservancy.

And a special thank you to 8 Acres for donating organic beef for lunch!

See you at our next field day on August 6th, at DeRuyck’s Top of the Hill Farm. Learn more: https://www.manitobaorganics.com/event-details-registration/2026-regenerative-organic-field-day-at-deruycks-top-of-the-hill-farm

08/03/2026

📢 Join us for the 2026 Organic Soil Fertility Research Field Tour!
Manitoba Organics is excited to partner with Dr. Joanne Thiessen Martens for another summer of exploring innovative organic soil fertility research. Returning to last year's research site in Libau, MB, this field tour will provide updates on ongoing work and practical insights for organic producers.
🌱 What you'll learn:
• The relationship between phosphorus and nitrogen cycling
• How phosphorus amendments influence alfalfa growth and nitrogen fixation
• Results from a wheat crop following a 2025 green manure trial
• Green manure legacy effects and nutrient cycling in organic systems
• Soil fertility management for perennial grain crops
• Potential impacts on soil health and water quality

📅 Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
🕐 Time: 1:00–4:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Libau, Manitoba (directions and location pin will be emailed to registrants)
🔗 Registration Link: https://www.manitobaorganics.com/event-details-registration/2026-organic-soil-fertility-research-field-tour

This event is free to attend, but registration is required.
Whether you're an organic producer, researcher, student, or simply interested in sustainable agriculture, this is a great opportunity to see current research in the field and connect with others in the organic community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Manitoba Organics is excited to team up with Dr. Joanne Thiessen Martens for our second summer! We are revisiting the location from last year to receive updates and stay up to date on the research happening at this location.

07/28/2026

Last Thursday was a blast! 🌱 A sincere thanks to Dennis Hoeppner and family for hosting our first field day of the summer. From carrots and beets, to green manure pea-oat blends, leafcutter bees and alfalfa, and more, the day was packed with so many incredible sights! Thanks to Dennis for generously sharing his farm, knowledge, and passion with us, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out!
See you all this Thursday, July 30th, for our next field day at Howpark Farms.

07/07/2026

06/24/2026

⏰ REMINDER ⏰
The deadline to apply for funding through our cost-share program is only one week away: June 30, 2026! Don't miss out on this opportunity to improve your soil health, improve biodiversity, and implement new on-farm projects. Learn more: https://www.manitobaorganics.com/cost-share-program

Cost-shared activities covered by this program include, but are not limited to:
1. Fencing and watering systems for livestock integration including infrastructure for Custom Grazing Partnerships
2. Perennial crops for grazing, seed production, and/or green manure (this includes the rent or purchase of pollinator services/equipment)
3. Multi-species cover crops established for grazing, seed, eco-buffer or green manure
(Please note that single-species cover crops (outside of perennials) are not eligible for funding this year).

Program Eligibility:
This program is open to any farmers who farm in the Province of Manitoba and are interested in improving the quality of their soils and enhancing biodiversity on their farms. Priority will be given to first-time applicants. Farmers who have previously received funding through the cost-share program may reapply only if their new project is proposed for a different parcel of land. Please read the guidebook for a full list of eligible and ineligible project expenses.

Minimum project size:
MO is offering a cost-share ratio of 50:50 for approved projects with a funding cap that is dependent on the number of acres listed below:
- Projects under 40 acres: eligible for up to $2,000
- Projects between 40 and 160 acres: eligible for up to $6,000
- Projects over 160 acres: eligible for up to $10,000

Cost-share program is accepting applications for the 2025 year. If you've implemented sustainable agriculture practices on your farm, you may be eligible for funding.

06/21/2026

☀️ Happy Summer Solstice! ☀️
The longest day of the year is here & we're taking a moment to recognize & thank farmers for all they do. We're also grateful to everyone who supports local food systems and helps build resilient, thriving communities.

06/10/2026

🐝 Bees are essential to agriculture - but the beekeeping industry itself is often overlooked.
In this episode of the Grain on the Brain podcast, Ian Steppler, a third-generation Manitoba farmer and beekeeper managing more than 1,800 colonies, discusses the opportunities and challenges shaping the industry today. This short excerpt explores the industry dynamics at work.
👇 Listen to the full episode on 👇
🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1sOIGw46fdTcKOiuKP0L3W
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/grain-on-the-brain/id1465845174
🎙️ Website: https://www.manitobaorganics.com/grain-on-the-brain-podcast-episodes/why-bees-thrive-on-farm

06/05/2026

Have your say on the Next Agricultural Policy Framework.
👉 DEADLINES:
National consultations for the Next Policy Framework are underway in two phases.
Phase 1: Open now until June 30, 2026.
Phase 2: Expected to begin Fall 2026.
Your input will help shape the future framework through an engagement process running until December 2027.

👉 CONSULTATION:
To contribute your input or provide comments about the NPF, complete the online consultation here: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/department/transparency/public-opinion-research-consultations/share-ideas-next-agricultural-policy-framework-0.
If you have additional comments or questions, please contact [email protected].

👉 BACKGROUND:
The Next Policy Framework (2028-2033) is a five-year federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) investment designed to support the growth and resilience of Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. It will succeed the current Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (2023-2028). To help shape the framework, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is consulting with Canadians from January 2026 to December 2027. Feedback on sector challenges and opportunities will help inform the framework's vision, priorities, and a policy statement to be announced by FPT Ministers.

👉 WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS NOW:
The timing of these consultations is critical. Following the recent AAFC research cuts announced in early 2026- the future of public agricultural research in Canada is at a major crossroads. If you are concerned about the loss of public research capacity or climate resilience programs, this consultation is your direct pipeline to tell government officials where funding needs to be restored and prioritized.