Century farms noted
Two Manitoba families have been recognized by the province for their many years in farming, related to Manitoba’s 125th birthday celebrations.
The Hourie family and the Sissons family have both owned and operated family farms for 125 years or more.
The Houries first settled in the parish of High Bluff in 1859 when Philip Hourie left the Hudson Bay Company to begin farming. In 1970, Philip’s grandson James was recognized as part of Manitoba’s 100th birthday celebrations. He and his wife Audrey still live on the original property.
Read Also
Message to provincial agriculture ministers: focus on international trade
International trade stakeholders said securing markets in the face of increasing protectionism should be the key priority for Canada’s agriculture ministers.
The Sissons first settled in the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie in 1869 when Elizabeth Sissons Conner and her husband John bought the property. Her father, Thomas Sissons, arrived two years later and took over ownership and operation of the farm. The Sissons farm is now operated by Thomas’ great great grandsons Donald and Grant Sissons, and their families.
Controlled burning
The annual controlled burning period has started in Manitoba. From Aug. 1 to Nov. 15 the burning of straw, stubble and other crop residue is restricted. Daytime burning will be authorized only for certain hours and areas depending on weather conditions adequate to disperse the smoke.
Farmers can call toll-free numbers in their area to find out where burning is authorized. Those in the Red River area can call 1-800-265-1233. Those in the rest of the province can call 1-800-465-1233.
New PBI director
Kutty Kartha has been appointed director general of the plant biotechnology institute of the National Research Council. Kartha has worked both as a researcher and a research manager in his 22 years with the council, most recently as research director for the biotechnology institute.
The author of numerous scientific papers on plant research, Kartha has done extensive work with plant cell and tissue culture leading to greater knowledge of propagation, virus elimination and germplasm preservation.
CFA photo contest
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is running a photography contest to celebrate its 60th anniversary and is seeking photos that depict “the important contribution agriculture makes to society in food production, sustainable farming or farm family or community.”
The contest will run Oct. 2, 1995 to Jan. 8, 1996, with both a youth and adult division. Entrants or a member of the entrant’s immediate family must have agriculture as their primary occupation in order to be eligible. All submitted photographs must be copyright free. Prizes will be awarded at the CFA annual meeting in Ottawa March 2-5.
More details on the contest are available by calling the CFA office in Ottawa at 613-236-3633.
