Since the start of the Ag Days Gives Back incentive in 2013, the program has committed close to half a million dollars to building the Ag community across the province and southeastern Saskatchewan. $536,377.50 has been granted out to over 45 communities through this program which stems from the 50/50 ticket sales at the Manitoba Ag Days event that takes place every January at the Keystone Centre, Brandon.
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.
This year $71,000 will be allocated out:
- $2000 to fifteen community fire departments
- $20,000 divided between ten communities to cost-share the purchase of AED's in each of those communities
- $2,000 scholarships will be granted to three students to pursue education in the ag industry
- $15,000 to Ag in the Classroom
"Ag in the Classroom is a program geared at educating our kids, so they know where their food comes from," shares Ag Days General Manager, Kristen Phillips. "And so, we bring students between grades 7 to 12 to our show, and it's like a career symposium. We already have all of the exhibitors here, and so it's a great opportunity for students to learn about the Ag industry and all of the different job potentials."
"One in seven jobs in Canada are related to Agriculture and so it's a great way for us to showcase the industry and get kids involved in Agriculture," she adds.
Through the Ag in the Classroom funding, they are able to bring in over a thousand students every year from across the province to the Manitoba Ag Days at the Keystone Centre, covering their transportation costs and fees to show them the global adventure of food production and processing, as well as the opportunities in the ag industry in education and career paths.
"It's a wonderful program to educate students about agriculture and what the different job potentials are," shares Phillips. "And it's a great partnership for us, not only with our exhibitors at the show, but with Ag in the Classroom Manitoba. And it's all hands-on learning! There are actually a hundred exhibitors that sign up to be part of the program, and the students will visit about 30 different booths each. So, there's kind of three different scavenger hunts that are set up, so the exhibitors see about one-third of the students each day."
"None of this would be possible if we didn't have the Ag Days Gives Back program," she adds. "Through this program we're able to do all these extra things. So, thank you to everyone who's ever purchased a 50/50 ticket!"
Ag Days Gives Back 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.
Visit the Manitoba Ag Days website for more information on this program HERE!