WINNIPEG – An organization that provides training for Manitoba farmers is joining many other farm groups in expecting a blow in the federal budget that was scheduled for Feb. 27.
The Manitoba agricultural training project relies on funds from two federal departments that are looking to cut costs.
Eleanor Menzies, who manages the project for Keystone Agricultural Producers, a Manitoba farm lobby group, said this year’s funding of more than $700,000 was provided about equally from the departments of agriculture and human resources development. KAP has been administering the program since 1989.
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Source of funds ending
Menzies said she’s particularly worried because the agriculture program that provides its share of the money is ending. Al Matheson, who looks after the Manitoba farm business management program, said it was set up for three years and time is up.
Matheson said in that time, Manitoba has spent about $2.5 million on training farmers. About half the money went to the project, while the rest went to other training. He said all other provinces have similar programs.
While it is possible the program may be extended, Menzies was preparing for the worst. She sent a proposal to the other funding department, asking for money to cover the entire program.
She said if funding is cut, courses will be cut. Right now, the money goes toward paying teachers, renting facilities and paying for distance education methods for about 100 courses. About 1,200 farmers and farm employees will participate in courses this year. They also pay a fee for the courses.
Topics range from marketing to computer accounting to production issues. Menzies said an advisory group of producers selects topics to be covered. This same group would be faced with the chore of determining which topics go, if funding is reduced.
Menzies said marketing courses would likely be last to be cut, since producers have said these are particularly important.
She said agriculture is “moving in some new directions, and I think it’s important that we try to ensure that there’s some training support to the producers for that particular area.”
