Glacier FarmMedia – Manitoba’s agriculture sector has lost a familiar face.
Former Keystone Agricultural Producers president Bill Campbell has died at the age of 69.
Campbell operated a mixed farm near Minto in western Manitoba and was active in KAP, first as a vice-president before becoming president in mid-2018, when Dan Mazier resigned to go into federal politics.
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At the time, he said “I accept the presidency with great enthusiasm, and look forward to engaging with our grassroots farmer membership, as well as with industry stakeholders and government.”
Campbell was a fourth-generation farmer, and was known to take pride in his purebred Limousin cattle operation.
He went on to spearhead KAP for four one-year terms, until 2023 when current president Jill Verwey took over.
During his time leading the organization, key issues included fighting for a carbon price exemption for drying grain and seeking improvements to the AgriStability program.
Campbell was also involved in the Manitoba and Canadian Limousin associations.
Allan Dawson, a now-retired Glacier FarmMedia reporter, covered much of Campbell’s leadership at KAP. Dawson described Campbell as “a plain-spoken straight shooter, a good listener and asked good questions.
“He was thoughtful, humble and respectful. Bill did his homework and kept an open mind.”
Dawson also noted Campbell’s forward vision and commitment to bettering the farmers of Manitoba, as well as maintaining a view to the wider community.
He recalled a time at a KAP advisory council meeting in 2016 when the topic of discussion was a response to the Manitoba government’s proposed climate plan.
“Misty-eyed and with a catch in his throat Campbell said, ‘how can you look at yourself in the mirror, and can you tell your grandchildren that you haven’t done your best, or your part, to contribute to help save the planet?’” Dawson wrote at the time.
Verwey described Campbell as a “cornerstone of the Manitoba agricultural community.” She added his commitment to advocating for the farmers of Manitoba was second to none, and that he was always the first to volunteer when something needed to be done.
“Bill led KAP during a global pandemic and was able to deliver on advocating for farmers during a time of tremendous uncertainty,” she said.
“Bill exemplified what it means to truly care about one’s work and he will be dearly missed by not only all of us at KAP, but by the entire agricultural community across Canada.”
Campbell is survived by his wife, Lauren, two daughters and three grandchildren.
