Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has announced a historic investment of $195,000 in Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba (AITC-M), an initiative set to expand classroom garden programs across the province. This bold funding will enable students to explore agriculture from seed to harvest through hands-on learning, deepening their connection with where their food comes from and the people who produce it.
At the heart of this initiative is MCA’s belief that agriculture is the greatest story never fully told. This investment is not merely about providing garden kits or curriculum enhancements, but rather about fostering public trust, advancing food literacy, and inspiring future leaders in agriculture.
MCA chair Jonothan Hodson reinforces the importance of early agriculture education by noting that “as fewer people grow up in rural areas, it has become especially important that young people gain an early understanding of farming and where their food comes from. We hope our investment will help equip students with that understanding and might even inspire them to consider careers in agriculture when they grow up.”
By sparking the wonder of watching a plant grow, these programs ignite lifelong learning and help students engage more meaningfully with the food they eat.