2023

David Whetter is a Soil Scientist, Agroecologist and Registered Professional Agrologist. He has 23 years of consulting experience in agricultural-environmental planning, permitting and management with a focus on the soil-landscape environment, agricultural management systems, and agricultural water management. David is recognized across the industry for his expertise in interactions between the soil, water and and agricultural land uses.

David is founder and President of AgriEarth Consulting Ltd., a firm established to add value and provide environmental solutions to agriculture and related sectors across the Canadian Prairies and beyond.

When he’s not digging in the soil, David enjoys spending time with his wife Michelle and two daughters, Ellie and Emerson, and working on never-ending home renovations at their house in River Heights in Winnipeg.

Ag Days Gives Backs $44,000 in total following the 2023 show.

It’s been ten years since Manitoba Ag Days announced the “Ag Days Gives Back” community giving program. “100% of the 50/50 funds raised at the show, which ran from January 17th until 19th at the Keystone Centre in Brandon Manitoba, are going back to communities throughout the province.” stated Teresa Vallotton, media coordinator for Manitoba Ag Days. “This was our first year charging admission to the show and the net profits will be distributed through our Ag Days Gives Back Fund as well! The theme for the 2023 show was Farmer Safety, Health and Wellness and so it was a natural fit for us to support all of our 2023 recipients. We are pleased to announce that an additional $15,000 will be distributed this year in addition to the $29,000 handed out at the show bringing our total to $44,000. Since inception our Ag Days Gives Back Community Giving Program has given back a total of $391,500.”

On Monday we announced the investment into the Keystone Centre AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) with a donation just shy of $10,000.00. These life saving devices are essential to the success of all events in the Keystone Centre.

Today we are pleased to announce that we are supporting the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals with a donation of $5000. This is an event that will be held annually at the Keystone Centre for the next three years!! Manitoba Ag Days is passionate about giving back to the communities where our patrons and exhibitors live. We are thrilled to partner with an organization that has the same grassroots as our organization. We want to see the next generation of youth exceed and excel. There will be 2 – $500 scholarships given away at the Manitoba High School Rodeo and then $4000 will be used to see that the Canadian Finals event is a roaring success right here in Manitoba.

At the 2023 show we awarded the 2023 grants to the following organizations:

The Community Fire Department Grant Recipients represent each quadrant of the province. Fire departments play a vital role in community safety through education, prevention and emergency responses. We are pleased to support these departments with $2000 grants towards the following purchases:

Edward Fire Department (SW): Purchase a 10,000lb warn electric winch and mounting hardware for the pumper truck.

Glenboro South Cypress Fire Department (SW): Purchase of a repeater system that will double the effective range of existing FM radios.

Ste Anne Fire Department (SE): Purchase of grain rescue equipment and air bags, which are used to lift heavy items in the event of an accident with entrapment.

Whitemouth Fire Department (SE): Purchase of spreaders, which are used in the event of an accident with entrapment.

Roblin Fire and Rescue (SW): Purchase of grain rescue equipment for training purposes.

St. Rose Fire Department (NW): Purchase of grain rescue equipment.

Clandeboye Fire Department (NE): Purchase of grain rescue equipment for training purposes and participation in farm rescue courses.

Ochre River Fire Department (NE): Purchase of a side by side grassland attack unit for covering vast farmlands with difficult terrain.

The recipients of the 2023 Ag Days Gives Back Scholarships of $1000 each were:

ACC Diploma Scholarship – Rhett Grieve

U of M Diploma – Lacey Shirley Calder

U of M Degree – Emily Rob

Manitoba Ag Days also awarded the Education and Leadership Grant in the amount of $10,000 to Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba.

We would like to thank all of you who supported our 50/50 draw and to those of you who attended the 2023 show. Your contributions to the success of our event are being felt throughout the entire ag industry. We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 show January 16^th to 18, 2024.

Manitoba Ag Days show is an annual three-day exposition of agriculture production expertise, technology and equipment that attracts exhibitors and visitors from across Canada and the United States of America held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon Manitoba. Applications for the next round of Ag Days Gives Back grants and scholarships will open in the fall and be awarded at the 2024 show.

For more information or the latest updates please visit https://www.agdays.com/ or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @mbagdays.

For all media inquiries please contact:

Teresa Vallotton – Media Coordinator at (204) 526-0574 media@agdays.com

Kristen Phillips, Manitoba Ag Days General Manager at (204)728-4137 coordinator@agdays.com

Manitoba Ag Days Invests in Life Saving AEDs at the Keystone Centre

BRANDON, MB (April 24^th, 2023) – Manitoba Ag Days has invested in the replacement of the AEDs (automated external defibrillators) at the Keystone Centre.

The Keystone Centre is equipped with five of the easy-to-use, life-saving devices located throughout the building. Funding for the AEDs was provided through the Manitoba Ag Days Gives Back Program and has covered the cost of replacing all five AEDs throughout the Keystone Centre.

“The Keystone Centre is extremely grateful to Manitoba Ag Days for their generous sponsorship of these life-saving devices. Manitoba Ag Days is one of many world-class events that brings thousands of people with diverse circumstances to the Keystone Centre, and our ability to maintain up-to-date first aid equipment is as vital to our ability to host these events as any other aspect of what we do to ensure our guests have the best possible experience when they visit the Keystone Centre,” stated Connie Lawrence, assistant general manager at the Keystone Centre. “AEDs are an absolute necessity, for staff, participants and spectators alike.”

“The Keystone Centre truly is the premiere facility to host an agricultural event and we are so lucky to have this facility in Western Manitoba. It was an easy decision for us to partner with the Keystone Centre on these upgrades.” said Kristen Phillips, general manager of Manitoba Ag Days. “The AEDs in the building were about to expire, and Manitoba Ag Days wanted to make sure that the complex was safe not only for our exhibitors, patrons, and guests, but for all users of this amazing complex.”

“The funds for this investment came from the Manitoba Ag Days Gives Back Program. This program is funded through admission ticket sales and our yearly 50/50 draw. Through the generous support of our industry for our show and our lottery we are able to reinvest in the communities where our patrons and exhibitors live,” says Hannah Minshull, chair of the Ag Days Gives Back Program. “Our theme for the 2023 show was farmer safety, health and wellness. Supporting the upgrades to the AEDs in the Keystone Centre was a natural fit for the proceeds of this years’ show.”

Manitoba Ag Days will run from January 16^th – 18^th, 2024 throughout the Keystone Centre complex in Brandon, Manitoba. For more information go to: www.agdays.com

About the Keystone Centre

The non-profit Keystone Centre strives to be the premier service oriented, multi-functional, community minded facility in Manitoba, hosting sporting and entertainment events, fairs and agricultural exhibitions, conferences and conventions, clubs and community activities.

To learn more about the Keystone Centre visit www.keystonecentre.com

About Manitoba Ag Days

Manitoba Ag Days show is an annual three-day exposition of agriculture production, expertise, technology and equipment that attracts visitors from across Canada, and the United States.

To learn more about Manitoba Ag Days visit www.agdays.com

Jared McKenzie – Director of Marketing Keystone Centre 2047263534

Kristen Phillips – General Manager Manitoba Ag Days 2047284137

In 2019, we brought back THE BEST IN SHOW AWARD! This award is presented to an exhibitor who really showcases agriculture at the show. They must be 100% PURE FARM, have a well thought out booth plan, work with our committee and exemplify exhibitor excellence. This year the award was presented to Fraser Auction Service Ltd. They received a banner and bragging rights for the next year. Congrats!

Kristen Phillips (Manitoba Ag Day’s General Manager) presented the award to Scott, Lori, Denise and Jessie along with Christine Roskos (Manitoba Ag Days Office Manager)

Photo Credit: Sandy Black

Adaptive Agriculture Solutions Inc. wins 1^st Place in the Ag Technology category – sponsored by Discovery Farm with their product the Wi-Fi Bin Monitor

https://www.agdays.com/innovation/wi-fi-bin-monitor/

Adaptive Agriculture Solutions Inc. won a banner, a 1^st place mat and $500 cash prize money from Manitoba Ag Days as well as a free entry into Innovation Alley at Ag in Motion from Glacier Farmmedia.

Picture Left to Right: Melonee Ochitwa (Discovery Farm), Colin Regier (Western Producer) Steve Rogoschewsky (Adaptive Agriculture Solutions Inc.), Dwayne Leslie (MB Ag Days)

Inputs Pro Inc. wins 1^st Place in the Agribusiness Services category – sponsored by CountryGuide with their app Inputs Pro.

https://www.agdays.com/innovation/inputspro/

Inputs Pro Inc. won a banner, a 1^st place mat and $500 cash prize money from Manitoba Ag Days as well as a $1000 advertising voucher for CountryGuide sponsored by Glacier Farmmedia.

Picture Left to Right: Melonee Ochitwa (Discovery Farm), Kristen Timmerman (Inputs Pro Inc.) Brad Crammond (MB AG Days), Colin Regier (Western Producer)

Kristen Phillips

Brittany Cousins

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