Keystone Agricultural Producers elects new president

Jill Verwey takes over for Bill Campbell

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Jill Verwey is the new president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) in Manitoba.

The cash crop, beef and dairy producer from near Portage la Prairie, Man., received the necessary support from voters during KAP’s annual general meeting on Tuesday. She had been serving as one of the organization’s vice presidents.

“Certainly, being part of the board and the executive for the past five years gives me the skills I feel are necessary to be president, and to be the voice of Manitoba producers,” Verwey said following the vote, Pembina Valley Online reported.

Minto, Man. farmer Jake Ayre, KAP’s other vice president, also entered the race to be the organization’s next president.

With her election, Versey takes over for outgoing president Bill Campbell, who served four one-year terms, the maximum allowed by KAP.

Verwey is also is the organization’s first female president.

Moving forward in its policy advocacy, KAP will continue to engage with farmers at the grassroots level.

“Leading and building consensus with a diverse organization that represents all producers and having that collaboration of all the ag sector and stakeholders is essential to continue to elevate the importance and role of agriculture in Manitoba,” she told the Winnipeg Free Press.

Jake Ayre will continue to serve as one of KAP’s vice presidents. Kevin Stott, a grain farmer from Niverville, will be the other.