Farmers Voice Winter 2022-Building Resilience

By Bill Campbell

Resilience is what comes to mind when I reflect upon the past two years.

KAP’s board, staff and membership have developed a deeper level of resilience, which is what will carry us forward into 2022. 

Last year served as a reminder of KAP’s ability to bring the sector together on key issues and how this is the foundation of our work. In 2021, KAP focused on effectively co-ordinating a common approach and providing a unified voice on the critical issues facing our sector. We know that working together is a key part of our role as the voice of Manitoba farmers.

As KAP approaches its 40th anniversary in 2024, I want to emphasize the fact that engagement is vital to our work. All farmers can help chart the direction of the sector through KAP’s committees, meetings, task forces and working groups. We need you to get involved, whether through these opportunities or by joining your local district. Your input is necessary to help KAP ensure a sustainable and profitable future for Manitoba farmers.

Delivering on KAP’s vision requires the effort of everyone around our table. It also cannot be done without a group of dedicated staff. I would like to thank KAP’s staff for their incredible work last year.

Looking forward to 2022, there are many priorities that we must focus on as an organization. Advocacy, regulatory modernization, engagement and outreach are the pillars of KAP’s work. This work needs to be supported through a strong organizational foundation, which is why the board of directors is undergoing a governance and bylaw review, and why the grassroots committee is evaluating KAP’s structure. These are key elements of KAP’s 2021–2023 strategic plan as we strategize for the years ahead.

It has been an honour to lead Manitoba’s farmers and commodity group members through these very challenging times. You are the driving force behind everything that KAP does. We are all in this together and, in that spirit, we are ready to take on 2022.