Manitoba Bulletin

Manitoba Canola Growers welcomes Nicolea Dow

Earlier this year Manitoba Canola Growers appointed Nicolea Dow to the board of directors. Following the fall election, the board table was left with one vacant seat; consequently, they launched an open application process to fill the seat. Nine highly qualified farmers from across the province submitted applications sharing their interest in representing canola farmers in Manitoba. Among the nine applicants, Dow was successfully selected to fill the vacant seat.

The board of directors prides itself on being informed, engaged leaders in the agriculture industry. The board searches for individuals that are representative of the many experiences and perspectives in Manitoba farming to share their input and direction for MCGA.

Nicolea is a fourth-generation farmer working alongside her dad and brother on their family farm near Portage la Prairie. She has a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) in agronomy from the University of Manitoba and spent several years working for Bayer in research before deciding to return to the family farm full time.

“I am truly thrilled to join the Manitoba Canola Growers board,” shared Dow. “As a young farmer, it’s a real honour to be given this opportunity. Having my skills and experience in agriculture recognized in this way has been both a humbling and affirming experience. My grandfather served as the president of the sugar beet board for nearly three decades and I am proud to continue that legacy of service to the agriculture community in this way.”

Nicolea’s experience in agronomy and research will be an asset to the board.

“With the challenges that canola has had the last number of years, from pest problems to high input costs and global trade conflicts, farms are having a harder time seeing the profits they have in years past. However, I believe that challenge always gives rise to innovation and new opportunities, and I am very pleased about joining the Manitoba Canola Growers board. The vision of Manitoba Canola Growers of maximizing farmers’ profits through sustainable production is very much in line with my personal values as a farmer, and especially relevant in these days.”

Canola is a $4.2 billion dollar industry in Manitoba. The farmer voice is an important influence in developing decisions and policies that will support a progressive, profitable and forward-thinking canola industry as it moves forward.

Nicolea shared insight into her hopes for her role on the board of directors. “I am looking forward to bringing my experience in agronomy and research to the board, as well as my voice as a young farmer. It will be rewarding to draw on the experiences of the rest of the board and staff of the Manitoba Canola Growers and to learn more about the canola industry outside the gates of my farm.”

The selection committee was pleased to see a strong slate of candidates seeking the position on the board. “The fact that Nicolea excelled within such a competitive field gave us confidence that she would be an outstanding MCGA director,” stated Bill Nicholson, MCGA director. “Even early in her farming career she is clearly respected in her local farm community, and her education and work in the agriculture industry have provided her with skills and experience that will be a valuable addition to our organization.”

Manitoba Canola Growers board and staff look forward to working with Nicolea as they continue to serve canola farmers in Manitoba.

2020 High School Scholarship Winners

Manitoba Canola Growers are proud to announce the winners of our 2020 high school scholarships. Five $1,000 scholarships have been awarded to the following deserving students from across Manitoba.

This year’s recipients are:

• Caitlin Stewart
  Swan River, MB
  She is enrolled at in Environmental Studies at Lakehead University.
• Cora Fijala
  Manitou, MB
  She is enrolled in Practical Nursing at Assiniboine Community College
• Matthew Pauls
  LaRiviere, MB
  He is enrolled at Brandon University
  to take Science – Pre-Professional Veterinary Medicine.
• Nathan Krahn
  Rivers, MB
  He is planning to take a year off and enter Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba in 2021.
• Mia Shirtliff
  Starbuck, MB
  She is enrolled in Engineering at the University of Alberta.

Congratulations to this year’s winners! We wish you the best of luck as you pursue your chosen careers.