The free event, which kicks off Farm and Food Awareness Week in Manitoba, will run from 10 am to 2 pm at the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre, 15 minutes south of Winnipeg on Highway 75.

Visitors will have the unique opportunity to engage in conversations with local Manitoba farmers, take a wagon ride to visit pigs, dairy cows, broiler chickens, and laying hens, and explore crops grown on the Prairies.

Hands-on activities include crushing canola to make oil, guessing the identity of different seeds and finding the queen bee in a working honeybee hive. Visitors young and old can try their hand at the Guardians of the Grasslands grazing simulation game, the Henny Penny ring toss, and the Wheel of Chicken trivia game. Participating organizations will be sharing recipe books and other free giveaways, including kitchen utensils, activity books, reusable bags, squeeze toys, temporary tattoos, and more.

Free food samples that feature Manitoba products will be served while supplies last, and include kimchi beef meatballs, pulled chicken and pork sliders, desserts made from eggs and canola, and delicious chocolate and white milk.

“Discover the Farm” gives visitors an opportunity to learn more about the great diversity of food production in this province and the importance of agriculture to the provincial economy.

Manitoba’s agriculture and agri-food sector generates $17.1 billion in direct output, employing over 36,000 people in the province or essentially one in 20 jobs in Manitoba. The province is home to 24 agri-food research and development centres featuring world-class research programs.

For more information:
Crystal Jorgenson, University of Manitoba
crystal.jorgenson@umanitoba.ca

“Our government is pleased to have partnered with the government of Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to provide $1.5 million in funding to support ongoing research at UM through the Glenlea Research Station,” said Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson. “We look forward to seeing this research put into action in advancing Manitoba’s egg production industry.”

“Equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment, smart internet cloud-based technologies and designed to foster collaborations to advance Manitoba’s egg industry for the next 20 years and beyond, this is the first interpretive egg/layer research, education and training facility in all of Canada,” said MEF Chair Catherine Kroeker-Klassen.

“This new facility represents what we can accomplish when we work together to support scientific discovery and training here in Manitoba. As the demand for sustainable protein sources grows, UM is uniquely positioned to lead the research innovation needed to advance the egg sector for generations to come,” said UM Vice-President (Research and International) Dr. Mario Pinto.

This new, state-of-the-art facility will advance and enhance research on modern egg production techniques and technologies and showcase what modern egg farmers do every day for the benefit of the public. The new facility features two bio-secure barns; one free-run aviary and one with enriched housing. There are windows into each barn for the public to view, and research space in the private section of the building for students and researchers from the University of Manitoba to conduct research and learn about eggs and laying hens.

Free-Run Aviary Housing
Free-Run Aviary Housing allows the hens access to the entire barn area. Aviary housing provides a multi-tiered system of enrichments for the hens, where they are able to perch, scratch and lay their eggs in nesting boxes.

Enriched Housing

Enriched housing combines the food safety benefits of conventional housing with the welfare benefits of open housing. Hens are able to perch, scratch and lay their eggs in nesting boxes.

The first new complete poultry build at a Canadian university in 30 years, the one-stop research hub will facilitate scale-up validation of lab findings in a commercial setting featuring paired free-run aviary and enriched layer housing system. It is the only research facility with the capacity for in-depth multi-replicate studies as well as comparison studies between the two housing systems.

Other features of the facility include:

• 3 controlled environment research rooms
• Egg quality and post-mortem laboratories
• Staff and student areas
• Public viewing and program delivery area
• Meeting spaces

Adding to the unique public engagement capacity of the co-located Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre and the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Discovery and Learning Complex, the UM will be unparalleled in its capacity to showcase modern animal agriculture to the public in a setting structured and resourced for building trust.

Fostering public trust in egg farming is critical and will come through targeted public engagement programming and creation of knowledge. Validated through the scientific process, this information can be used to improve public confidence and develop informed policy in Manitoba. The public viewing galleries of the two housing areas will further instill confidence in the manner in which hens are raised and cared for on Manitoba farms.

“Integrated learning and hands-on training in the most modern layer housing systems, representing where industry is headed, rather than what it is leaving behind, is essential for aligning skills training with industry needs and provides UM students with a unique edge over those from any other Canadian university,” said Pinto.

It’s important to Manitoba’s egg industry that we open the barn doors and show consumers how eggs are produced, and how hens are housed in Canada. Currently, 40% of hens in Manitoba are housed in enriched housing and 11% are housed in free-run aviary housing. (data current as of December 2022)

Why hasn’t the public been able to visit egg farms?
“Biosecurity is imperative to keep hens healthy and food safe on egg farms which means that the public has – until now – been unable to tour working egg farms,” said MEF Board Chair Catherine Kroeker-Klassen. With the new facility’s completion, the public is now finally invited to visit a real egg farm at the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre.

“Windows protect the hens and maintain biosecurity, and staff and researchers are trained on how to prevent diseases that could harm the hens by changing their footwear, washing vehicles, wearing protective equipment and washing their hands – the same things farmers do every day on their own farms,” said Kroeker-Klassen.

In Manitoba, egg farmers practice strict biosecurity protocols to defend against diseases that could affect the health of their birds.

How was the facility funded?
The new facility was funded in part by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and in part by Manitoba’s 170 egg farming families.

The governments of Canada and Manitoba provided $1.5 million for Manitoba Egg Farmers (MEF) to establish the MEF Learning and Research Centre. Funding for this initiative was provided under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which was a five-year (2018-2023), $3-billion investment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen and grow Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. This commitment includes $2 billion for programs cost-shared by the federal, provincial and territorial governments that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

About Manitoba Egg Farmers – We’re Egg Farmers We Love What We Do®
Manitoba Egg Farmers (MEF) represents 170 regulated egg and pullet farmers in our province. MEF is an independent organization, funded entirely by egg and pullet farmers. Regulated egg farmers are the primary caregivers of their hens that produce over 76 million dozen eggs each year and feed all communities across Manitoba. Eggs are nutritious, versatile and can be eaten with any meal. Buy local eggs at your favourite Manitoba grocery store! For more information about egg farming in Manitoba, hen care or recipes visit eggs.mb.ca.

About University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
The UM’s Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences offers high-calibre relevant teaching programs which range from diploma and degree to graduate studies across many disciplines. Its researchers work to address the complex challenges facing the agricultural and food industry and to pursue answers to broader environmental and health-related questions.

Dr. Campbell grew up on the family farm in Chater, MB, and graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor in Science in Agriculture with a major in Animal Science. After working with Feed-Rite Mills for 10 years, Bruce’s entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic prompted him to purchase a feed business in Landmark, MB. He quarterbacked a team of partners and outstanding employees in turning Landmark Feeds, a small rural business, into one of Western Canada’s leading agribusiness companies, while becoming well known himself as a visionary businessman with high integrity.

Bruce always placed a high value on the people who were his partners, employees, customers, and suppliers, believing firmly that everybody who was involved with him in any of these capacities should be successful. He achieved recognition for this approach, as evidenced by many awards, including the Canadian Feed Industry Association Golden Award in 1995; the UM Young Associates Manitoba Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999; and the Prairies Region Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999. Bruce was named a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada in 2001 and received the Distinguished Agrologist Award from the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists in 2002. He was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2004 and received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2006. In 2007 Bruce was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Manitoba acknowledging his strong support of the industry. Bruce was named a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, 2011; and inducted into the Manitoba Business Hall of Fame, 2016 for his entrepreneurship in agribusiness and his generous support of innovation and education in Canada’s agriculture industry. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2015.

Bruce and Lesley both held a strong interest in youth and education which led them to create the Bruce D. Campbell Bursary Fund to support students in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. Their vision, leadership and generosity helped build the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre, which opened its doors in 2011 to enhance public awareness and understanding of modern, sustainable food production.

Bruce’s commitment to environmental stewardship was evident through his service on the board of Ducks Unlimited Canada, and he was an advocate for the development of the Headquarters and Interpretative Centre at Oak Hammock Marsh.  In 2020, Ducks Unlimited presented him with their Conservation Education Award.

He married Lesley Lorraine Gay in 1963 and has two children, Brock (BSA/90), and Nancy (BFA/86, MA, PhD) and five grandchildren.

The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and University of Manitoba are grateful for his passionate engagement in our community and we mourn his loss.

The flag at the University of Manitoba was lowered to honour him on May 25, 2022.

Read more in the Winnipeg Free Press obituary.

The new exhibits at the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Discovery and Learning Complex tell the story of Manitoba’s dairy industry through the experience of local farm family, the Philippots. The displays demonstrate how dairy cows are cared for and how state-of-the-art technology can help improve efficiency on a dairy farm, including automatic milking and feeding systems and cow cams.

As you enter the facility, you are greeted with the following quote:

“Milk makes it a dairy farm, but it’s the people and their connection to the world around them that makes it so much more. From caring for the land and animals, to raising families and producing the highest quality milk, dairy farmers like the Philippots – whose story you will learn about in this exhibit – are helping shape the future of farming and strengthening the Manitoba community they’re proud to call home.”

Tours of the Discovery Centre are held Tuesday through Saturday and for an additional $2.00 individuals can extend the tour to the Dairy Complex. During the tour, individuals will be able to view the dairy barn in action through windows into the complex highlighting many features including the milking robot and the robotic feeder. Following the tour, individuals will have the opportunity to play with the interactive exhibits and ask any questions they may have.

Pre-registration is required. There are no drop-ins at this time.

• Adults $6.00 (+$2 for dairy complex tour)
• Seniors $5.00 (+$2 for dairy complex tour)
• Youth $5.00 (+$2 for dairy complex tour)

Science Month – Fête de la Science

Explore this outdoor science exhibit, featuring incredible images highlighting University of Manitoba research ranging from health (research in immunology as well as complex diseases such as Alzheimer’s or cancers) to the study of our universe. On display now at the Alliance Française du Manitoba. Alliance Française – 934 Corydon Ave (Outdoor Display, Front Garden).
December 1-5, | Free
Learn more

Desautels Faculty of Music Open House 2021

Experience a day-in-the-life of a music student, tour our facilities, attend courses and rehearsals, and meet with our faculty members and students at this year’s Desautels Faculty of Music open house.
December 2-3, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free
Learn more

Santa on the Farm

Bring your family to meet and take photos with Santa, make a Christmas ornament craft, and explore the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre.
December 4, Multiple times  | Free for children 0-2 years, $6/person ages 3+
Learn More

Leadership Lunch and Learn Series

Join us for the James W. Burns Leadership Institute Virtual Lunch and Learn featuring Asper alumnus, Shreeraj Patel [BComm(Hons.)/02], Vice President – Commercial Financial Services at RBC as he takes the topic ‘The New Canadian – Stuck in the Middle’.
December 6, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | Free
Register

Montreal Massacre Memorial Service

Attend the virtual memorial service in remembrance of the victims of the Montreal Massacre at Ecole Polytechnique on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
December 6, 10 a.m. | Free
Attend

UM Trivia Night – Holiday edition
Get out your best holiday sweaters and join alumni and friends online for fun, entertaining trivia and great prizes! You’ll be jingling all the way answering questions about pop culture, geography, general knowledge and UM fun facts. Mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss this! This program is generously sponsored by UM affinity partner, The Personal.
Dec 14, 7 p.m. | Free
Register

Manitoba Agronomists’ Conference

Take part in this annual forum to discuss the latest developments and trends in crop production, crop protection and soil management in Manitoba.
December 15-16, 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. | Free
Learn More

Get Out of the Cold Indoor Triathlon

Join experienced and non-experienced racers to partake in an athletic contest consisting of swimming, biking & running hosted by the University of Manitoba in partnership with Triathlon Manitoba at James Daly Fieldhouse, Max Bell Centre.
December 18, 1.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m. | $55
Details

For more events: University of Manitoba events calendar

The COVID-19 pandemic means this year’s activities have shifted to an online format, opening the door for wider engagement from around Manitoba.

The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences invites you to take part in several opportunities this week.

The Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre has joined forces with many partners to release resources, activities, cool videos, and fun facts every day on their website and social media channels (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook).

Every day has a theme, including Food & Family, All About Ag & Food, Celebrating 150 Years of Growing Produce in Manitoba, Animal Care, and Sustainability. There are 20 family-friendly activities, videos, recipes and games to explore.

The Faculty will also be hosting a special online presentation on Thursday, September 24 at 3:30 pm (CDT).

Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Dr. Martin Scanlon, will host a session featuring Dr. Robert Duncan, Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Science, and graduate students Jessica Nicksy and Zoe Li who will be presenting on their research and the impact it is having in the agrifood community.

Viewers are invite to tune into the YouTube livestream event, and ask questions of the speakers via the online chat feature Sli.do.

One of the resources features “virtual reality” farm and processing facility tours.

In support of home-schoolers everywhere, the University of Manitoba’s Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre (FFDC) is offering interactive lesson plans which explore food production from field to dinner table.

The FFDC, located at the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences’ Glenlea Research Station just south of Winnipeg, hosts approximately 5,000 students a year for curriculum-linked field trips.

While FFDC remains closed to respect physical distancing recommendations, the staff have been hard at work adapting some of the field trip activities to at-home learning resources. Once a week FFDC is releasing a new resource and highlighting a tried, tested and true resource from some of their partners. Most of the resources are suited for early and middle year students and take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours to complete.

FFDC is posting the resources on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages weekly. Subscribers to FFDC’s public newsletter receive advance access to the resources directly in their inbox.

“The pressure to have engaging and fun at-home learning activities is high for parents and educators right now,” says FFDC Acting Manager, Kristen Matwychuk. “We hope by providing some easy-to-complete resources, we can take off a bit of that stress to help parents and kids have fun and learn together.”

The Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre announced in March that the Centre would be closed to help flatten the curve. As the response to COVID-19 evolves, FFDC is hoping to re-open in the summer for family fun events and field trips for child care centres.  Until then, the at-home resources will continue.

Follow FFDC on their social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
For more details on the at-home resources and programs offered at FFDC, visit ffdc.ca

Over 70 guests joined them for a breakfast which included pancakes donated by Parrish and Heimbecker Ltd and chocolate milk donated by the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba.

INDIGENOUS AWARENESS MONTH

Join the University of Manitoba for Indigenous Awareness Month this March, as we celebrate Indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditions.

Featured Events:

RECOGNITION, REDRESS AND RECONCILIATION

As part of a three-part Métis speaker series, lawyer Jason Madden will discuss how Métis have successfully advanced a series of cases to the Supreme Court of Canada for the purpose of advancing recognition, redress and reconciliation.
March 7, 12 – 1:30 PM | Free
Great Hall, University College, Fort Garry Campus

RECLAMATION AND RECONCILIATION: INDIGENOUS LITERARY VOICES TODAY

Join David A. Robertson for the annual Marjorie Ward Lecture.  David is the author of the award-winning children’s book When We Are Alone, which explores the residential school legacy.
March 7, 4:30 PM | Free
Robert B. Schultz Lecture Theatre, St John’s College, Fort Garry Campus

15^TH ANNUAL ELDERS & TRADITIONAL PEOPLES GATHERING

This gathering aims to bring people together and strengthen the community through the sharing and teaching of Indigenous knowledge, histories and experiences.
March 20 and 21, 9 AM – 4 PM | Free
Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge, Fort Garry Campus  

MAKE OUR GARDEN GROW: EXCERPTS FROM POPULAR MUSICALS

The University of Manitoba musical theatre ensemble will perform selections from South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, Hamilton and The Sound of Music.
March 9, 8 PM; March 10, 2 PM and 8 PM
Tickets $20, students $12
Gas Station Arts Centre, 445 River Avenue

CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE — ANALYZING THE SPECTRUM: THE NEUROSCIENCE OF AUTISM

Join University of Manitoba researchers to learn how autism affects the brain and leads to behavioural changes in children and adults. Our panelists will also discuss how their research is helping to develop new methods for diagnosing and treating autism.
March 12, 7 PM | Free
McNally Robinson Booksellers, 1120 Grant Avenue

MINI U REGISTRATION

From crafts to robotics, swimming to musical theatre—kids between the ages of 4 and 16 learn leadership skills and new ways to be active with every program.
Spring registration is now open, and summer registration opens March 12.

POP CULTURE, PEACE AND RESISTANCE: FROM HARRY POTTER TO THE HUNGER GAMES

Explore youth subcultures, fan activism and fan fiction communities with visiting professor Dr. Sibohan McEvoy-Levy. This lecture will consider the pop-cultural contexts of liberal peacebuilding and how these blur with militarism, and identify the cultural sources of positive peace and resistance in youth culture.
March 13, 7 PM | Free
Fr. Jensen SJ Theatre, St. Paul’s College, Fort Garry Campus 

DAIRY DAY

Explore the dairy barn and learn about how we get milk to make cheese and yogurt, then help make some fresh ice cream!
March 16, 10 AM – 2 PM (Drop-in format)
Admission $5, 3-4 year olds $3.50, children 3 and under free
Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre, Glenlea Research Station (15 minutes south of Winnipeg on Hwy 75) 

COMMUNICATIONS IN CANCER CARE: HEALTH SYSTEMS IN TRANSITION AND THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE

As the health care system transitions to an increased focus on efficiency, Dr. Sally Thorne shares her research on the power of quality communication and the critical need for “communication safety” within cancer care.
March 19, 5 – 8 PM | Free
Canadian Museum for Human Rights, 85 Israel Asper Way
RSVP 204 474 9080 or mcnhr@umanitoba.ca

AGE-FRIENDLY REGIONS: PLANNING BEYOND COMMUNITIES

Dr. Richard Milgrom will discuss how providing services through a regional approach may be necessary to support quality of life for older adults.
March 21, 12 – 1 PM | Free
Millennium Library (Buchwald Room), 251 Donald Street

3MT – THREE-MINUTE THESIS COMPETITION FINALS

Hear our innovative graduate students explain their research – in three minutes or less. Cheer on the competitors and vote for the people’s choice winner!
March 21, 7 – 9 PM | Free
Robert B. Schultz Theatre, St. John’s College, Fort Garry Campus

THE BLACK HOLE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS: MARAT/SADE

Depicting class struggle and human suffering, this classic of modern theatre is an epic tale about the French revolution that involves over 40 cast members and musicians.
March 21 – 31
Tickets $18, students and seniors $12
John J. Conklin Theatre at the Gail Asper Performing Arts Hall, Fort Garry campus

TALK: “GHOSTLY SPIRITS: THE HAMILTONS’ PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIMENTS WITH TELEPLASM”

A talk by Serena Keshavjee, art history, University of Winnipeg

March 22, 7 PM | Free

Archives & Special Collections, 330 Elizabeth Dafoe Library

Location & Parking: http://libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca/archives/

More Info:  archives@umanitoba.ca or (204)474-9986

ASTRONOMY OPEN HOUSES

Jointly hosted by the department of physics & astronomy and the Winnipeg Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, observe and learn about the night sky in season. Open houses last approximately two hours.
March 28, 7:30 PM and April 25, 8:30 PM | Free
Room 385, University College, Fort Garry Campus 

Planning to attend one of our on-campus events? Visit our interactive campus maps for campus overviews and building locations. For detailed parking information, view our visitor parking guide.

This new facility, whose design was guided by a steering committee that included representatives from Manitoba Agriculture and DFM, replaces the circa 1960’s tie-stall dairy facility at Glenlea which no longer reflects modern dairy production techniques. The planned 60-cow operation will feature a robotic milking system, an automated feeding system, dedicated spaces for calves and above-ground manure storage. Researchers will be able to individually manage multiple groups of animals in a free-stall setting. A dedicated metabolism unit will enable intensive studies of nutrient intake and microbial diversity without needing to move the animals off-site.

“A new facility representative of Manitoba’s modern dairy industry not only gives us an excellent whole-system ruminant production environment, but will also enable us to attract research investment and the next generation of young scientists,” said Dr. Kees Plaizier, dairy scientist and professor in the Department of Animal Science.

Proposed barn layout of Glenlea Research Station Dairy Facility

The milking system will include extra milk collection tanks that will permit researchers to conduct research from production through to processing, allowing for “identity-preserved” and traceable research programs in dairy product development, and and support the growth of value-added dairy processing in Manitoba.

The dairy research unit has long been an essential facility for students interested in acquiring hands-on experience with large animals and experience in a modern dairy production system. Going forward, the Faculty will be developing an expanded experiential learning component centred around the Glenlea Research Station’s systems.

“More and more of our students are no longer from the farm, and so it’s critical that they get experience in safe livestock handling and animal health and welfare,” said Plaizier. “Our goal is to prepare graduates ready to enter Manitoba’s dairy industry.”

The Glenlea dairy has been a popular public education component for visitors to the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre. The new facility will enhance teaching and outreach through a planned viewing gallery and public exhibit space, and provide visitors with a rare opportunity to engage with modern dairy production.