Manitoba Ag Days GIVES BACK $28,000.00 even during a pandemic
Manitoba Ag Days takes great pride in giving back to the communities where our patrons and exhibitors live. We are one of the last not-for-profit farm trade shows that are left on the circuit! Our mission is to provide a platform to connect and educate producers, exhibitors and the public. Traditionally we host an annual three day trade show with complimentary speaker theatres but in 2021 we were unable to host our event due to the pandemic.
“It was a none discussion at our board table, it was unanimous that everyone wanted to see our Ag Days Gives Back program continue, even during a pandemic” says Hannah Minshull, Manitoba Ag Days board member and chair of the Ag Days Gives Back Committee.
We wanted to make sure that we were still able to give back to the Ag community so we hosted an online 50/50 raffle (LGCA- 4206-RF-35050). Thanks to the support of Manitobans we had the most successful 50/50 we have ever had. The total pot grew to $35,560.00. The winner, Oksana Iwanchysko took home $17,780 and $17,780 was added to our Ag Days Gives Back Community Giving Fund.
“Even with no show, we wanted to give back some of the show’s success to the communities which our exhibitors and patron’s call home. Over the course of the last nine years we have given back over $316,000 to assist many amazing projects that are helping to grow our communities along with supporting youth agricultural education throughout the province” stated General Manager Kristen Phillips. Since 2020/2021 was anything but normal we wanted to really focus on communities and what makes those communities thrive and grow so you will see all $28,000.00 in 2021 will go to youth education and growing our future generations.
Here is who will take home the money in 2021:
$10,000.00 will go to Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba to create a virtual Manitoba Ag Days Adventure. With no show they still wanted to deliver this important program to youth throughout the province and with our grant money they will launch the program on Canada’s Agriculture Day – February 23, 2021
$3000.00 will go to our 3 annual scholarships
ACC Diploma Scholarship – Paige Freitag
U of M’s Diploma Scholarship – Eunseo Hwang
U of M’s Degree Scholarship – Jill Martens
$15,000.00 will go to 15 Early Learning Centers across the province
| Organization Name | Town | What they are using the grant for |
| Emerson Kinder College Inc. | Emerson | To expand the science area, expand our role play area, have dress up clothes for the children to express themselves, new sleds and outdoor clothing for winter and purchase trucks, graters, etc. for the sandbox |
| Laurier Play Zone | Langruth | To purchase supplies, toys and extra equipment due to COVID restrictions |
| Fisherbranch Care-A-Lot-For Tots Inc. | Fisherbranch | To improve their infant / toddler outdoor play space – purchase rubber mats for their sand area to assist children with motor challenges |
| TLC Centre Inc. | Carman | To purchase an Electrostatic Sprayer due to COVID |
| Kiddie Sunshine Centre Inc. | Altona | To purchase an Electrostatic Sprayer and to put towards additional cleaning and personnel costs due to COVID |
| Wawanesa Wee Care Inc. | Wawanesa | To replace worn out equipment – purchase a new 4 seat infant stroller, tables and shelving |
| Melita Early Learning Centre | Melita | To purchase toys and ride toys for their outdoor play space – bikes and scooters |
| Waskada Wee Ones Early Learning Centre | Waskada | To enhance their outdoor play area – sandbox bench seating and storage and install a sunsail for shade. Reading nook with benches and plants |
| Pembina Valley Child Care Centres Inc. | Morden | To purchase a 4 seat infant buggy (plastic for sanitizing) |
| The New Beginnings Daycare | Ochre River | To purchase an outdoor play structure and toys for their new centre |
| Charlie Brown Day Care Centre | Ste. Rose | To assist in building an attached addition to their centre to be used as a gym |
| Y Maryland Early Learning Centre (YMCA) | Brandon | To purchase wooden barns with farm animals and people (one set for each of their 6 new classrooms in the new centre in Brandon) |
| Elkhorn Early Learning Center | Elkhorn | To purchase a water Chlorination System for drinking water for the children and staff |
| Little Hands Early Learning Centre | Erickson | To complete phase 2 of their backyard project which includes the building of raised garden beds, a sun shelter, sandbox as well as to lay turf for their children to play on |
| Minto Nursery School Inc. | Minto | To purchase a new rug for their library area, an adult-size chair so the reader does not have to sit on a child’s chair, a new shelf and some new books |
In total we had 67 early learning centers apply from all over the province. It was an overwhelming response to our program and we wish we had enough money to give each of the centers a $1000 grant as every single application pulled at our heart strings. The board of Manitoba Ag Days is very passionate about educating the future generation, making sure that children have access to and learn about agriculture. We also know that early learning centers enable our farm families to be able to farm while their children’s minds and bodies learn, grow and develop. Congratulations to all of the recipients of this years’ grants. And to all 67 centers please keep up the great work; you are essential to the success of our province.
The board of directors looks forward to hosting our annual event in 2022. Save the dates January 18th to 20th, 2022.
For all media inquiries contact Kristen Phillips, Manitoba Ag Days General Manager at (204)728-4137 or Christine Roskos, Manitoba Ag Days Office Manager at 204-845-2198
