Farmers Voice Spring 2022-Driving Progress

By Bill Campbell

Coming out of our recent annual general meeting, that took place at the end of January, we talked about our core values as an organization: relationships matter, collaboration and being solutions oriented.

The recent invasion of Ukraine and its devastating humanitarian toll remind us that our only constant is uncertainty. Throughout these disruptive times, we need to continue to remind ourselves that it will be our values that are going to need to continue to guide us.

The recent work stoppage with Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and CP rail is adding to the uncertainty of our time by exacerbating an already extensively strained supply chain. We also cannot forget the ever-present impacts of other main disrupters such as COVID-19, the shortage of truckers, forest fires, blockades, drought, record snowfalls and floods.

So, what does all of this mean for farmers? Farmers are all used to operating in an environment where so much is out of our control, which is why I believe that we need to do what we can to progress on what we can influence.

This is one of the core reasons why I have chosen to participate in KAP. How I like to frame it is that we are committed to advancing the prosperity of Manitoba farmers. The basis of everything we do is founded in the pursuit of being the unified voice for farmers on issues that matter to them the most. This has not always resulted in a clear resolution to issues, but the continual progress is something that cannot be forgotten.

There is a renewed sense that KAP is dedicated to playing a lead role in driving progress, leading with transparency, and revealing to key audiences farmers’ true impact and contribution. I know that it is going to take the contribution of many to ensure we can achieve our goals, we will need to bring others along with us including the public.

Something that I am learning is that by working in collaboration with the entire agricultural sector and non-agricultural partners, we can secure effective advocacy positions that deliver on improvements to our operating environment. We do not need to do this alone and by doing so will strengthen our farmer’s voice around tables where it needs to be heard.

Uncertainty may be our constant, but by working together and building meaningful relationships, we are able to bring forward solutions that result in the change we need