2023 MFGA
Regenerative Ag Conference

Theme: Building the Legacy

November 13-15, 2023

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MFGA’s 6th Annual Regenerative Ag Conference

Our 6th Annual MFGA Conference - a 2.5 day event was held November 13-15, 2023, Victoria Inn, Brandon, Mb. As in the past, our conference offered eight national and international keynote speakers, five local producer panels, 28 vendors and a 50/50 Draw created a vibrant and varied conference! Click here for 2023 conference proceedings.


Agenda

Conference Co-Chairs: Andrea Hamilton (Glenboro, MB) and Amber McNish (Lyleton, MB)

CEU Credits: Since 2018, we have applied for and received CEU credits at each conference. To learn about CEU credits, visit the Certified Crop Advisors website.

Monday, November 13, 2023
Victoria Inn, Brandon Mb

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: TRADESHOW SETUP & REGISTRATION

1:00 PM: CONFERENCE LAUNCH: Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director: Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

1:10 – 1:55 PM: KEYNOTE 1: Derek & Tanis Axten, Axten Farms Ltd., (Saskatchewan)
MFGA Session Host: Mike Duguid
Topic: Shifting our Minds to Shape Tomorrow

1:55 – 2:10 PM: Q&A with The Axtens

2:05 – 2:35 PM: PRODUCER PANEL: Jim Appleby, Stoney Brook Creamery (Friedensfeld, MB); Kristelle Harper, Circle H Farms (Brandon, MB)

2:35 – 3:00 PM: TRADE SHOW & COFFEE BREAK

3:00 – 3:45 PM: KEYNOTE 2: Kalie Rider, Nutrition Consultant and Educator (North Dakota)
MFGA Session Host: Chelsi Malach
Topic: The Soil to Human Health Connection

3:45 – 4:00 PM: Q&A with Kalie Rider

4:00 – 4:30 PM: TRADE SHOW

4:30 – 5:30 PM: FREE TIME: Refresh & Recharge

5:30 – 7:00 PM: ICE-BREAKER EVENT: Let MFGA buy you dinner! Mingle, mix & join us for a cocktail hour and casual buffet-style dinner

7:00 – 8:30 PM: MFGA NIGHT: Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director, Rapid Fire Snapshot of MFGA Project Collaborations by project leaders and partner/sponsor video presentations
- MFGA Board/committee Introduction/Wall of Fame Announcement
- MAW In Manitoba: Learn more about MAW, PWCP: AAFC OFCAF: Lynda Nicol, Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) Executive Director
- Regeneration Canada Update: Antonius Petro, Executive Director, Regeneration Canada
- MB Wildlife & MFGA: Bird Surveys on four MFGA Regen Ag Farms: Tim Poole, Habitat and Endangered Species, Wildlife Branch, Natural Resources and Northern Development, Manitoba Wildlife
- DUC's Wetland Flux Towers: Methane Emissions Lower on Prairies: Dr. Pascal Badiou, Research Scientist, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research
- MFGA Regen Ag Study at PESAI: Nirmal Hari, Ph.D, P.Ag, Applied Research Specialist, Manitoba Agriculture
- Watershed Spotlight: Ryan Canart, Manager, Assiniboine West Watershed District: highlighting MFGA Aquanty Model, GROW Trust & ALUS
- ACC & MFGA: Jane DePauw, Coordinator, Applied Research, Russ Edwards School of Agriculture and Environment, Assiniboine Community College
- Assiniboine River Basin Initiative Update: Wanda McFadyen, ARBI Executive Director
- Regenerative Ranching Program: Kristelle Harper, Thompson Rivers University

CEU CREDITS FOR DAY 1:
Nutrient Management CEUs: 1
Crop Management CEUs: 1.5

Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Victoria Inn, Brandon Mb

7:00 – 9:00 AM: Breakfast on your own

8:00 – 9:00 AM: TRADESHOW & REGISTRATION

9:00 AM: WELCOME: Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director: Land Acknowledgement

9:05 AM: WELCOME BY DIGNITARIES: Hon. Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Ag Minister (in-person): MP Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water (video); MP Dan Mazier, Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (TBD)

9:15 – 10:00 AM: KEYNOTE 3: Paul Galpern, University of Calgary (Calgary, Alberta)
MFGA Session Host: Amber McNish
Topic: Pollinators and Prairie Landscapes

10:00 – 10:15 AM: Q&A with Dr. Paul Galpern

10:15 – 10:45 AM: TRADE SHOW & COFFEE BREAK

10:45 – 11:30 AM: KEYNOTE 4: Ian Steppler, Manitoba BeeKeepers Association (Miami, MB)
MFGA Session Host: Zack Koscielny
Topic: Manitoba Beef and Bees

11:30 – 11:45 AM: Q&A with Ian Steppler

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM: PRODUCER PANEL: Troy Stozek, Fresh Roots Farm (Cartwright, MB); Yvonne Lawley, University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB); Trent Alexander, Little Lane Acres Beef Farmer (Lenore, MB)

12:15 – 1:30 PM: LATE LUNCH & TRADE SHOW

1:30 – 2:15 PM: KEYNOTE 5: Korb Whale, Mapleton’s Organic Dairy Farm (Moorefield, ON)
MFGA Session Host: Lawrence Knockaert
Topic: Organic Dairy Operations

2:15 – 2:30 PM: Q&A with Korb Whale

2:30 – 3:00 PM: PRODUCER PANEL: Morley Sundell, Sunflo Dairy (Holland, MB); Sean Smith, Clanman Jerseys (Clanwilliam, MB) 

3:00 – 3:30 PM: TRADE SHOW & COFFEE BREAK

3:30 – 4:30 PM: KEYNOTE 6: Fireside Chat: A one on one conversation between Jon Lundgren, Director, EcDysis Foundation and Blue Dasher Farm and Blain Hjertaas, Understanding Agriculture
Topic: The Power and Potential of Regenerative Agriculture

4:30 – 4:35 PM: DAY 2 RECAP: MFGA Conference Committee Co-Chairs: Amber McNish & Andrea Hamilton

4:35 – 5:30 PM: TRADESHOW REFRESHMENT HOUR: Mingle, Refresh, Network at our awesome Trade Show!

OUT FOR SUPPER: Evening out with your friends/colleagues
(If planning on dining at Brandon’s more popular restaurants, reservations are recommended)

8:00 – 10:00 PM: MANITOBA PREMIERE SCREENING: ‘COMMON GROUND’ MOVIE
’Common Ground’ movie explores how regenerative agriculture can help heal the soil, our health and the planet and provides hope for future generations with concrete ways to fix a broken planetary system

CEU CREDITS FOR DAY 2:
Crop Management CEUs: 4.5

Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Victoria Inn, Brandon Mb

7:00 – 9:00 AM: Breakfast on your own

8:00 – 9:00 AM: TRADESHOW & COFFEE BREAK

9:00 AM: WELCOME: Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director: Land Acknowledgement; Welcome to Dignitaries, Ag Ministers, Delegates, Officials

9:15 – 10:00 AM: KEYNOTE 7: Dr. Steven Frey, Aquanty (Waterloo, ON)
MFGA Session Host: Duncan Morrison
Topic: Manitoba Water Resources in Climate Change

10:00 – 10:15 AM: Q&A with Dr. Steven Frey

10:15 – 10:45 AM: TRADE SHOW & COFFEE BREAK

10:45 – 11:30 AM: KEYNOTE 8: Brendon Rockey, Potato Producer, Rockey Colorado Farm (Colorado)
MFGA Session Host: Andrea Hamilton
Topic: Comprehending the Carbon Cycle to Support a Healthy Farm System

11:45 – 12:00 PM: Q&A with Brendon Rockey

12:00 – 12:30 PM: PRODUCER PANEL: Chad Berry, Under the Hill Farms Potato Producer (Glenboro, Mb); Susan Ainworth, Owner, Stolon Glance Agronomy (Brandon, MB); Russell Jonk, Swansfleet Alliance (Bruxelles, MB)

12:45 – 2:00 PM: LATE LUNCH & TRADE SHOW

2:00 – 3:00 PM: NEXT GENERATION FARMER PRODUCER PANEL: Bluesette Campbell, Holistic Management Canada (Sask); Nathan Beernaert (Hartney, MB); Marika Dewar-Norosky, Manitoba Organic Alliance (Newdale, MB); Max Wegner (Lenore, MB)
MFGA Session Host: Larry Wegner
Topic: Raised On Regen

3:00 PM: WRAP-UP & 50/50 WINNER: MFGA Conference Committee Co-Chairs Andrea Hamilton & Amber McNish

CEU CREDITS FOR DAY 3:
Soil & Water Management CEUs: 1
Crop Management CEUs: 2.5


Featured Keynote Speakers

The 2023 MFGA Regen Ag Conference committee is pleased to announce our keynote speakers:

Brendan Rockey will share the management decisions that have resulted in sustained yields and improved water efficiency on the Rockey Colorado Farm for over a decade; Dr Jonathan Lundgren, director of EcDysis Foundation and Blue Dasher Farm, at Estelline South Dakota, which has led studies that are well-regarded benchmarks to the power and potential of regenerative agriculture; Dr. Paul Galpern of the University of Calgary who will detail his work on pollinators and prairie landscapes; Ian Steppler, who many will be familiar with from his work with Manitoba Beekeepers Association to give presentations; Derek and Tanis Axten, awesome speakers and valuable additions to our conference as showcased by the way they farm in Saskatchewan; Korb Whale, Owner/Operator of Mapleton Organic Dairy in Ontario; North Dakota’s Kalie Rider, Nutrition Consultant and Educator; Dr Steven Frey, Aquanty Project’s Forecast Tool. Read the April 11, 2023 Media Release.


Producer Panels


Sponsorship & Tradeshow Opportunities

Conference Sponsorship Levels

Choose your MFGA Conference Support Level or CONSIDER BUNDLING (Annual Sponsor + Regen Ag Conference Sponsor) and save! BUNDLE BENEFITS OUTLINED HERE.

Platinum: $5,000 (BUNDLE $7,500)
• Profile via short video provided by you each day of the Conference
• Plus Gold Level Benefits
***BONUS: for funders and supporters above $10,000 per year:
MFGA led Media Release announcement of funding support; Opportunity for MFGA to reserve a table for your group when conference banquet held or provide waived attendance for up to three representatives when there is no banquet

Gold: $2,500 (BUNDLE $4,000)
• Trade Show Booth (includes 1 Conference Registration)
• Mentions and Extra recognition by Master of Ceremonies
• Plus Bronze Benefits

Silver: $2,000 (BUNDLE $2,500)
• 1 Conference Registration
• Plus Bronze Benefits

Bronze: $1,000 (BUNDLE $1,250)
• Logo on all pre-conference communications
• Logo on Regen Ag Conference and Resource* pages
• Logo on rotating PPT & signage

Sponsorship Payment

Please email denice@mfga.net to be invoiced.
By cheque (mail to/made out to):
Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association
c/o 145 Edstan Place, Selkirk, MB R1A 2E8
By debit or credit (through PayPal - you do NOT need a PayPal Account):
Fees reflected and vary by payment method.

Choose your conference support level

Tradeshow

Fee: $700

What you get:

  • 8’ table (draped) with 2 chairs

  • Access to Power - please let us know if you require power

  • 1 Conference Registration

  • Logo on rotating PPT

SETUP: Monday, Nov 13, 10am to 1pm

For more info please email terra@mfga.net.

50/50 Draw

Check back for details on how you can participate.


Registration & Accommodations

1. Get registered - choose your fee and payment method

Secure your spot! This 2.5 day in-person event will be held at the Victoria Inn, Brandon, MB. All fees include a 2023 MFGA membership ($50 value). Because of limited spots, payment is non-refundable but is transferable.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEES: (plus GST, if applicable)
Single Registration: $300 ($350 after October 1)
Single Student Registration: $150 ($175 after October 1)
Farm Rate (two from same farm): $550 ($650 after October 1)
Tradeshow (includes Single Registration): $700

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Payment is due at time of registration via Paypal (debit or credit) - you do not need a PayPal account! Please contact Denice if you need to pay by cheque or etransfer.

2. Reserve your hotel room

We have a block of rooms being held at:
Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre
3550 Victoria Ave. | Brandon, Manitoba | R7B 2R4

Conference Nightly Rates (plus taxes):
Single occupancy: $135.99 (no breakfast) or $145.99 (with 1 off-the-menu breakfast)
Double occupancy: $145.99 (no breakfast) or $155.99 (with 2 off-the-menu breakfasts)
Note: These rates are for Premier Double Queen (2 queen beds) and upgrades will incur fees.

Reserve by Oct 25, 2023
To get in on our block rate, call 204-725-1532 and provide the group name “MFGA Conference Attendees 2023” by October 13, 2023. Cancellation Policy: 48 hours prior to arrival. Check with Vic Inn for further cancelation details.


Join our 2023 Regen Ag Conference Sponsors

Conference Platinum Sponsors

Conference Gold Sponsors

Conference Silver Sponsors

Conference Bronze Sponsors

Conference Tradeshow Sponsors