Five of Manitoba’s commodity groups are discussing the possibility of amalgamating their organizations.
The Manitoba Corn Growers Association, Manitoba Flax Growers Association, the National Sunflower Association of Canada, Winter Cereals Manitoba, and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association are proposing to become the Manitoba Crop Alliance.
Before officially merging, members of the five organizations will vote in-person at each organization’s AGMs at CropConnect in February.
Darcelle Graham, executive director of the National Sunflower Association of Canada, says that the vote must be “all or none”, meaning that each organization needs to have two-thirds of their members present at the AGMs to vote in favour of the amalgamation for it to go forward.
Graham says that the idea for the organizations to merge just made sense.
“Growers grow more than one crop, so they’re not just a member of a single organization, they are likely members of at least two or more organizations currently,” said Graham. “The goal is to bring members together, and look at developing a working relationship that would be efficient, effective, and advantageous for our farmer members.”
Producers looking to learn more about the process and procedures of the amalgamation before the AGM can take in an online webinar meeting on Thursday, December 12.
