Manitoba news.

The Manitoba chapter of CAMA continues its efforts to bring members insights from key industry players and initiatives.

At present, CAMA Manitoba's monthly "Lunch and Learn" sessions, a venue that allows CAMA members to hear from high profile industry speakers, who educate and inform on topics relevant to the industry and their profession, have included discussions from Statistics Canada and a joint meeting with the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists.

CAMA Manitoba's upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to highlight the Western Canadian Value Chain Initiative. This initiative comes from the joined forces of the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council (MRAC) and various agriculture councils from across western Canada. The initiative will unite producers, processors and marketers across western Canada to increase opportunity and market share for Canada's agriculture and agri-food products.

The MRAC Value Chain Coordinator will outline this multi-faceted project that will introduce producers and processors to the fundamentals of value chains at upcoming workshops giving participants the ability to learn from experienced value chain experts as well as network with other people within the agriculture and agri-food sector.

MRAC is being joined by the British Columbia Investment Agriculture Foundation, the Alberta Agriculture and Food Council, the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan, and the provincial governments of all four western provinces to form this education and awareness initiative. These organizations recognized a need for a collaborative approach in promoting the value chain model. Workshops conducted by the Value Chain Initiative will provide the knowledge to develop and expand support networks across western Canada that will lead to new market opportunities and increased profitability.

In future months, CAMA Manitoba hopes to bring about discussions including hot topics such as the Canadian Wheat Board and the recent changes to the western Canadian ag landscape including the formation of Viterra and the expansions of Cargill and JRI.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS

CAMA Manitoba has continued its efforts to further engage and partner with local ag and agribusiness students.

While CAMA Manitoba is still working on future initiatives with organizations such as the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences Students Organization (FASO) and AgriBusiness Students Organization (ABSA), the hope is to provide these future agri-marketing professionals with the support and connections they need to excel.

NEWS FROM THE BOARD

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CAMA Manitoba would like to congratulate past President Cathy Cordileone as the 2007 recipient of the CAMA Honour Roll.

Cathy has played a very positive and vibrant leadership role within the Chapter as a Manitoba board member for over five years. She also served the past two years on the CAMA National Committee that oversees the transition of the "Best of CAMA" from chapter to chapter and other items of interest of the provincial chapters.

With a number of board members recently completing their terms with the board, CAMA Manitoba is very pleased to welcome a number of new and returning faces including David Lazarenko, Barb Chabih, Darrell Friesen, Brad Havixbeck and Deven Aracely.