Globalization has forced a fight between two ways of farming – corporate control versus independent producers.
But there are farmers breaking down the barriers between farmers and corporations. Among them is a group of Manitoba egg producers that saw an opportunity in partnering with food processors.
The producers had money for research plus the skills to produce a consistent supply of quality eggs. The processors understood markets and already had the know-how and equipment to convert eggs into higher value products.
They pooled their resources to form Trilogy, an equal partnership between the Manitoba Egg Producers Co-op, Canadian Inovatech and Michael Foods.
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“It provided a future for our group and for producers individually,” said Harold Froese, a Manitoba egg producer and member of the producers’ co-operative.
“We knew we needed to have alliances with other stakeholders on the further processing side of it.”
Froese spoke as a producer panelist last week during a conference whose goal was to brainstorm ideas that benefit farmers and rural communities.
The issue of corporate control surfaced often at the conference. Producers are concerned that corporations, not farmers, will take control of agricultural land in North America.
Froese said the partnership with Canadian Inovatech and Michael Foods created a chance for egg producers to share the risks and benefits of adding value to their product.
The whole egg market is static, but further processing offers expanding markets in Canada and the United States.
“We believe in family farms and individual ownership, but the markets out there are extremely harsh,” Froese said.
