As part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Canadian and Manitoba governments are providing $950,000 over five years to Assiniboine Community College (ACC), to support research focused on horticulture crop development and product extension for its Field to Fork applied research program, Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today.  Field to Fork is a collection of initiatives through ACC that concentrated on strengthening the local food chain through education, research and outreach. “We are proud that this funding will increase the competitive position of the Manitoba horticulture industry, while working to support and increase domestic processing and export capacity,” Eichler said. “This funding will ensure that Manitoba’s horticulture industry will continue to benefit from the research being undertaken by Assiniboine Community College, to keep Manitoba producers on the leading edge of growing our agri-food sector.” The knowledge and expertise developed and expanded through the college’s Horticulture Production and Food Sustainability programs, led by faculty researchers, significantly increases the field, greenhouse and agri-processing research capacity required for Manitoba’s unique fruit and vegetable industries. The Field to Fork initiative also helps to shape curriculum for students enrolled in Horticultural Production, Sustainable Food Systems, and the Culinary Arts programs at ACC, with applied research projects and other hands-on learning opportunities for students. “Agriculture continues to be an area of program leadership at our college,” said Mark Frison, president, Assiniboine Community College. “We are thrilled to have the support of the provincial and federal government to continue the important and meaningful applied research work underway by our talented faculty members. These Field to Fork projects will pay dividends to students and communities for years to come.” Some of the research projects currently underway at ACC include building capacity in northern and remote communities in Canada through sustainable greenhouse energy models, assessing and determining the most viable varieties of sweet potatoes for commercial production in Manitoba, and finding effective ways to combat botrytis neck rot in commercially grown onions. More information about Ag Action Manitoba is available at www.manitoba.ca/agriculture under Canadian Agricultural Partnership, by calling 1-844-769-6224 (toll-free) or emailing agaction@gov.mb.ca. Manitobans can also sign up for a digital newsletter at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/online-resources/signup-for-growing-manitoba-ag.html or follow Manitoba Agriculture’s Twitter channel at www.twitter.com/MBGovAg for more information about Ag Action Manitoba. The five-year, $3-billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership includes $2 billion for cost-shared strategic initiatives delivered by the provinces and territories and $1 billion for federal programs and services. For more information, visit www.canada.ca/Agri-Partnership.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 2nd, 2019 at 6:34 pm Brandon Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle as the driver was using a cell phone. Police determined that the accused was bound by a Recognizance with a condition not to possess a cell phone. During a search of the accused incident to his arrest for Breach of Recognizance, police located a small amount of cocaine on his person. As a result of this incident the accused was lodged at BCC and will appear in court on March 3rd, 2019.

The Brandon School Division recently undertook a review of the Middle Years Options Programming available to our students in Grades 7 and 8. During the 2012-2013 and 2016-2017 school years, a consultant was hired to review our current Middle Years Options Programming and provided a report to Senior Administration for review. Recommendations from this report were then used during a consultation process during the 2017-2018 school year, with our stakeholders to determine the direction we want for our Middle Years Options Programming. The results of the consultation outlined the desire to: Align Grade 7 and 8 timetables to meet the recommended subject time allocations for compulsory and optional programs; Maintain access to French programming for all students; Maintain the mandatory status of Industrial Arts/Home economics; Maintain access to Band programming for all students; Provide choice for students in the areas of options and arts programming. The Division was able to meet almost all of the goals identified in the Middle Years Options Consultation. The only goal that was not achieved was the mandatory status of Industrial Arts/Home Economics. As a result, students will have the opportunity to request French, Home Economics/Industrial Arts, or school based topics (Technology, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Indigenous studies). Students will also have the opportunity to request Band, Drama, Dance, or Visual Arts. A new registration guide is being sent home outlining the Middle Years Options/Arts Registration Process. Please contact your child’s teacher or school counselor if you have any questions regarding the course selection process.

The woman from Brandon reported as missing in a special release on Friday morning contacted family members later in the day on Friday and is no longer considered missing. Source: Brandon Police service Special Media Release The Brandon Police Service is seeking any information into the whereabouts of a missing woman. Leah ERNEST was last seen by her family on Sunday February 24th when she left her residence. She has not returned home since that time. Leah is 20 years old and is described as being 5’5, 150 lbs and is Metis. Leah has naturally curly shoulder length brown hair, brown eyes, with a medium complexion and has a medium build. Leah usually wears a white winter jacket with a green or brown hoodie. If anyone has information regarding Leah’s whereabouts, they are encouraged to contact the Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345.

Source: Brandon University News Urban reserves in Manitoba hold great potential for both First Nations communities and municipalities, according to a groundbreaking report released by Brandon University’s Rural Development Institute (RDI). The report, Indigenous Contributions to the Manitoba Economy, was formally unveiled earlier this year, and explores Indigenous economic impact in detail. A local launch held today at Brandon University’s He Oyate Tawapi room focused on the Indigenous impacts in western Manitoba, as well as the potential identified in the report for urban reserves. “The report shows urban reserves are a powerful strategy for growth on First Nations,” said Bill Ashton, director of RDI. “Urban reserves provide job opportunities for First Nations people, particularly those living off-reserve. We found that 69% of First Nations people in southern Manitoba live off reserve. As well, urban reserves are an opportunity for remote First Nations to set up businesses in locations with a larger customer base. Surrounding municipalities benefit too. The First Nation pays for municipal services on the urban reserve, and urban reserve workers pay property taxes and spend money in the urban centre whenever they are living and shopping off reserve.” Currently, there are eight urban reserves in Manitoba: four in the North and four in the South. They host a wide range of businesses including gas bars, convenience stores, VLT lounges, cannabis stores, hotels, grocery stores, and office space. As the report details, the success of existing urban reserves help Indigenous people make an enormous contribution to the province’s economy. Total spending by Indigenous people in Manitoba is calculated at $9.3 billion in the year 2016, contributing 3.9% to the provincial GDP — more than sectors like manufacturing or hospitality. While Indigenous people, who make up 18% of Manitoba’s population, already contribute a major amount to Manitoba’s economy, there is potential for even more. The Indigenous population is young and growing. In Brandon, for example, 23% of children aged 14 and under identify as Indigenous. Jobs on urban reserves provide an opportunity for skills development for Indigenous youth living off reserve, who may face barriers to employment. “Our youth are our greatest resource, but they need opportunities,” said Chief David LeDoux of Gambler First Nation. Gambler is one of 10 First Nations in the province in the process of converting land into a total of 17 new urban reserves. “Urban reserves are an opportunity for us to earn our own revenues which we can then re-invest back into the community in the form of health services, education, social and cultural programming, housing, and infrastructure. The Anishinaabe mindset is that we must plan for seven generations into the future. To do that, we need to have self-sufficiency and self-determination, to have the freedom to invest in language programming, skills development, and more for our young people.” RDI partnered with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc. (SCO) and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) to produce the report. Researchers from SCO and MKO interviewed leaders from seven First Nations about their urban reserves, including their ingredients for success, challenges they’d faced, and their future development plans. For the first time with this report, RDI gathered data and conducted research and analysis in accordance with the First Nations principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP). “This project truly highlights Brandon University’s strengths as an institution, especially our long commitment to working with Indigenous communities,” said Brandon University Interim President Dr. Steven Robinson. “One of Brandon University’s most important roles is sharing our knowledge, and this project is the perfect example of bi-directional knowledge sharing. We gladly took the opportunity to learn from Indigenous communities and to benefit from their input in shaping our research. Together, we have produced a report that gives a comprehensive overview of Indigenous economic impact today, as well as giving clear direction for the future.” The partnerships that helped bring the report together are similar to the partnerships that can help unlock a prosperous future for all Manitobans. “This project was an opportunity for relationship-building and working together. Urban reserves provide that same opportunity for municipalities and First Nations,” Ashton said. “Relationship-building is at the heart of reconciliation.” The full report, Indigenous Contributions to the Manitoba Economy, can be accessed online at BrandonU.ca/RDI/Projects/Indigenous-Economy.