Manitoba Ag Days continues to invest in rural communities and agriculture education through their Ag Days Gives Back program. And applications are now open for this next intake of granting applications.
At the 2025 show this past January, $55,000 in funds were awarded in the form of 16 community grants, 3 post-secondary scholarships and support for Ag in the Classroom Manitoba.
Through the sale of 50/50 tickets at the January 2025 Ag Days show, $71,000 has been allocated for the next round of granting.
'"We really believe in Ag supports Ag," shares Ag Days General Manager, Kristen Phillips. "And so, when we created this fund back in 2013, it was with the intention of supporting the communities where our patrons and exhibitors live, and that really has been the legacy of the program. We actually exceeded the half million-dollar mark last year in funds going back to the Ag communities. So, it's just been a fantastic program to be a part of."
"We've figured out the statistic," adds Phillips. "We've touched something like 45 different communities as of last year. So, it's being spread out throughout the whole province, that half a million that we've already given out. So, it's a pretty impactful map when you put all the stars on the map!"
Fifteen community fire departments will be awarded $2000 each to be used for any component of a project including infrastructure, supplies, equipment, volunteers or training up to a maximum of $50,000. In an effort to encourage diverse participation, priority will be given to communities/projects that have not received funding within the last three years.
"With all the fires and everything going on in Canada this year, we just really felt that our local community fire departments could really use some funding this year. And so that's where the fifteen $2000 grants came from," she says.
Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) can sometimes be difficult to find in a rural community and in an emergency when someone is needing that shock to restart the heart and restore its natural rhythm, time is of the essence.
"And so, we're partnering with St. John Ambulance to put 10 different AEDs in rural communities. So, it's a cost share program where we pay two-thirds of the cost and the community pays one-third, but in return they get an AED active in their community."
Ten communities will be receiving an AED machine through the Ag Days Gives Back program.
Post-secondary scholarships are important to the continuance of our young people to further their education in the ag industry. Three students will each receive a scholarship of $2000. This is open to students in their final year of high school or to post-secondary students. All agricultural related education and training is eligible, including degree, diploma, certificate and trade programs.
Applicants are asked to complete the form and include a written or video biography outlining their community involvement and volunteerism, career goals and aspirations and how they see themselves fitting into the ag industry.
"And it doesn't have to be a college or university," states Phillips. "If you are a farm student and you're going and taking your class one license, please apply! Anything related to agriculture and farming, we want to be part of. And so, yeah, please apply for the scholarship program, $2,000 per student."
An additional $15,000 will be granted to Ag in the Classroom Manitoba to make up the $71,000 total.
100% of the funds raised through the Manitoba Ag Days 50/50 are used to support K-12 ag education, post-secondary ag education and community organizations throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
“On behalf of the board and our committee, we want to thank the public for their support. The 50/50 allows us to pool our resources and make a significant impact in communities across the province, and on the lives of students through ag education. There really is a ripple effect through this program.” commented Sharon Finlay, chair of the Ag Days Gives Back committee.
Since the program’s inception in 2013 Manitoba Ag Days Gives Back has committed $536,377.50 to building the agriculture community.
For more information, please visit https://www.agdays.com/community-giving-program/
Applications are being accepted until November 1, 2025 and winners will be announced at the 2026 show which runs from Tuesday, January 20 through Thursday, January 22 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, MB. Mark your calendars and keep watching for more Manitoba Ag Days information as the show approaches.
You can find the latest updates and purchase admission tickets at https://www.agdays.com/ or follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok or Instagram @mbagdays.