Carman, MB – April 12, 2016 – Agriculture researcher Greg Bartley and communications professional Toban Dyck are joining the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) team, the association is pleased to announce.
The additions represent an exciting time for MPSG, as it continues its trajectory of growth propelled by the determination to bring increased value to Manitoba’s pulse and soybean farmers, to deliver initiatives and campaigns surrounding the UN’s declaration of 2016 as the International Year of Pulses, and to ensure the implementation of its strategic plan, which includes its expanding On-Farm Network.
Greg knows farming and has research experience in the field of wheat residue management for soybean production in Manitoba. He joins MPSG as its new On-Farm Technician.
Greg grew up on a grain farm near Roland, Man., and completed his Bachelor of Science in agronomy in 2013 at the University of Manitoba, where he is currently finishing his M.Sc in plant science.
He has experience coordinating and implementing residue management experiments with the U of M in consort with MPSG’s On-Farm Network. Greg also held an NSERC Industrial Postgraduate Scholarship with MPSG, which allowed him to gain valuable industry experience.
I’m looking forward to working with the On-Farm Network and the research team at MPSG,” says Bartley. “It’ll be great to collaborate with farmers, conducting research on their own farms.”
Toban took to agriculture journalism after returning to the family farm in 2012. Before deciding to take over a farm that has been in his family since 1886, his journalism experience included jobs at the National Post, CBC Manitoba, and a few other news outlets. He is taking on the role of Director of Communications at MPSG.
“There’s strong, exhilarating momentum here,” says Dyck. “There’s a wealth of expertise in this office, and I’d like to help every pulse and soybean farmer tap into it.”
Toban is an award-winning columnist with Grainews magazine, and has written articles for Maclean’s, the Economist, National Post, Globe and Mail, and many more publications. He also teaches a writing course one evening per week every fall at Red River College in Winnipeg.
“The level of expertise represented in Greg and Toban will help us raise the standard for the value we deliver to our membership, pulse and soybean farmers,” says MPSG’s Executive Director Francois Labelle.
The 2016 International Year of Pulses is a global collaboration involving growers’ groups, governments, consumer organizations and other stakeholders. The Year aims to heighten public awareness of the nutritional benefits and sustainability of pulses, encourage connections throughout the food chain to better utilize pulse-based proteins, increase global production and address challenges in the trade of pulses. Please read more at www.fao.org/pulses-2016/en/.
About MPSG
MPSG was founded in 1984 and represents over 3,500 producers in Manitoba who grow soybeans, edible beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas and faba beans. MPGA’s mission is to provide pulse grower members with production knowledge and market development support, through focused research, advocacy and linkages with industry partners. MPGA is funded by a 0.5% check off levy and is governed by a board of directors, including elected active producers and appointed industry representatives.
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For more information, please contact:
Toban Dyck Director of Communications
204-227-8875 toban@manitobapulse.ca
Francois Labelle, PAg Executive Director 204-745-6488 (ext 2) francois@manitobapulse.ca