Posted on 12/06/2008, 6:06 pm, by The AgriPost

The Manitoba Cattle Producers Association (MCPA) would like to congratulate the Southwest Farm Women’s Network for receiving the 2008 Canadian Agri-Food Award of Excellence in volunteerism.

In its 19-year history, the network of women from southwest Manitoba has diligently worked to promote agriculture and the importance of rural communities through seminars and bus tours.

“The SFWN is a group that has taken it upon themselves to highlight the importance that agriculture has on our rural landscape. Being recognized for the dedication shown by the many volunteers involved in showcasing the best that Canadian agriculture has to offer is an outstanding achievement and we at the MCPA would like to congratulate these farmers, mothers and professionals,” said MCPA president Martin Unrau.

This is the eighth annual presentation of the awards recognizing outstanding achievements and leadership in six categories including volunteerism, youth, innovation, agri-food export, environmental stewardship and agricultural awareness and education.

The seminars provide women with the opportunities to learn and share on a variety of topics that address the growing challenges they face within their families, communities and the agriculture industry.

The SFWN bus tour takes participants on tours of livestock operations, meat processors and grain elevators to name a few, in an effort to show how rural communities support small business.

The MCPA represents the interests of and provides a voice for the approximately 10,000 cattle producers in Manitoba involved in various aspects of the cattle industry including the cow/calf, back grounding and finishing sectors.