Farmer Appreciation Day

November 26th, I spoke on Farmer Appreciation Day

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, this morning, for the 14th annual Farmer Appreciation Day, we met, as MLAs, with farmers and those involved in the agricultural industry from all over Manitoba. It was an opportunity to learn about the outcome of this year's activities and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Today we recognize and thank Manitoba farmers for the work that they do in producing food and in their stewardship of the land. The MOU signed today between KAP, Fertilizer Canada and the Province marks the continuation of efforts to achieve 4R stewardship–applying nutrients to the land from the right source at the right rate at the right time and the right place to achieve optimum crop production and optimum land stewardship.

I also talked with several farmers about the challenges and opportunities which can arise from a substantive approach to climate change, reducing the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane, and increasing the storage of carbon.

On behalf of our Manitoba Liberal caucus, I thank all the farmers and others in the agricultural sector who've come to the Legislature today and thank all those who are not here, because they all are contributors to our joint success.

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