From Rick Holm, June 20, 2020 "A while ago Dave Smith (Senior Stick, 1967-68) who lives just down the street from us gave me a copy of this photo of him handing the Stick over to Jim."

Bob McNabb with wife Elaine, Inducted into Canadian Conservation Hall of Fame

Manitoba zero-till pioneer inducted into conservation hall of fame

Robert (Bob) McNabb called for greater passion for soil, aligning profit with ecology

By Geralyn Wichers, Reporter. Published: November 27, 2019.  

Manitoba Cooperator, FARMIT MANITOBA

Robert (Bob) McNabb, with wife Elaine, was inducted into the Canadian Conservation

Hall of Fame on November 13. Photo: Geralyn Wichers

Robert (Bob) McNabb called for greater passion for soil, aligning profit with ecology Manitoba farmer Robert (Bob) McNabb called for greater passion for soil as he was inducted into
the Canadian Conservation Hall of Fame in Winnipeg, November 13.
In his acceptance address, McNabb called on those gathered to approach soil conservation with
the same passion as teenage, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
“If we could get on that same kind of level with that, we could really bring some sustainability to
this and civilization would be so much better for it,” said McNabb.
Through the Conservation Hall of Fame, the Soil Conservation Council of Canada recognizes those
who have made an outstanding and national contribution to the care of soil along with the water,
air and environment which soil affects, SCCC’s website says.
McNabb farmed for many years near Minnedosa, where he applied zero-tillage methods and later
added a rotation of permanent grasses for custom grazing. He said in 35 years of farming, they
were able to triple their soil organic matter.
McNabb also spent time in Zimbabwe where he co-ordinated a Canadian International
Development Agency-funded agricultural project. Along with locals, he wrote manuals on
conservation farming and zero-tillage practices.
For this and other work, McNabb was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2014. However, as early adopters of zero tillage, they were under a lot of peer pressure, McNabb said.
Their fields were covered with residue, while their neighbours’ were black with neatly sprouting
crops. This led one of his children to ask, “Did Dad screw up again?” McNabb said.
McNabb said the book Top Soil and Civilization by Tom Dale and Vernon Gill Carter cemented
his ideas about soil conservation. The book, written in the 1950s, surveys how past empires
depleted their soil and agricultural base, which contributed to their collapse.
“We really haven’t changed a lot,” McNabb said. “We’re still losing topsoil. We’re not treating soil
with the health that could be, and every civilization in the past (that) has been a downfall — that’s
not probably going to change unless we’re able to change some things.”
McNabb said he sees young farmers who look at farming in terms of profit, not soil health.

“The profit should be driven by ecology,” he said. “We need to find ways to motivate an attention
to soil health. I’m not just sure how to do that.”

Report from Bill Anderson

Stratford Festival flies half-mast flag in memory of Greg Borotsik.

Obituary of Greg Borotsik

BOROTSIK, Gregory Ian  Sept. 23, 1946 ~ Mar. 23, 2019  It is with profound sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Gregory Ian Borotsik, 72 years, of Stratford, Ontario from cardiac arrest at the William Osler Hospital in Brampton, Ontario on Saturday March 23, 2019. He is deeply missed by his wife, Sandra Huntley, his sons Michael and Jeremy, brother Ron (Margaret) sister-in-law Beverley (Jack deceased) as well as step daughters Alix Speirs, Mary-Ellen Hesselgrave (Scott) and Beth Huntley (Chris), seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews. He will also be greatly missed by his beloved fur companions, Arlo and Annie. Greg was predeceased by his father Walter, his mother Jean and his brothers, Jack and Dennis (Beverley deceased). He lived an amazing life. He was born in Toronto, Ontario; throughout his life, was always propelled with an energy level that inspired awe. His family moved to a Brandon, Manitoba seed farm when he was a youngster, where he excelled at school and many sports. Intelligent and curious, he started school in a one room, rural school house – to which he often ran. In summers, he loved and played baseball -morning to night and in the winter, hockey occupied much of his time. By his High School Years, he was attending school in the City of Brandon in order to continue to University and further develop his many skills and talents. An outstanding athlete, he competed in Track and Field, winning many trophies and breaking many records. Still an excellent student, he also played Baseball for the Brandon Clover Leaves. As a young, athletic phenom, he was recruited by this league because of his outstanding ability. Unfortunately, in his teens he developed Crohn’s disease, which continued to be a health challenge for him for the rest of his life. Greg always considered this an inconvenience which he was determined to get beyond. And, he did but he had a constant need to “refuel” in order to replenish his energy reserves stores and maintain the fast pace which was his way. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg 1970, with a BSc in Agriculture and subsequently, joined the Federal Public Service in 1972. After moving to Ottawa in 1987, he was with Agriculture Canada, Health Canada, and finally was part of the group that helped form the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Greg met the love of his life in 1991. He and Sandra delighted in each other and their many common interests. Both loved theatre, entertainment, cycling, refinishing old furniture and ultimately restoring buildings and loved the wonderful opportunities afforded by the City of Ottawa. They bought a home in Ottawa’s Glebe and spent many, many happy hours restoring it to its former glory. They became dedicated theatre patrons and every year would attend The Shaw and Stratford Festivals. Beginning to think of retirement, they bought a property in Stratford in 2004 and moved there permanently in 2005. Greg joined the Front of House at the Stratford Festival shortly after. He absolutely loved it! Every bit … the patrons, the actors, the technical wizards that create all the magic that is theatre. It was always a true pleasure for him to play his part in creating that magic. He began setting up the Lobby chats with the artists after performances and he backed up the managers in all theaters during his last year in the 2018 season. He so loved language and the drama that surrounds performance in every way. He had found a place of wonder for himself at the Stratford Festival and it filled him with pride to be part of such a noble endeavor. And, he made many, many friends! To the end, he remained the dedicated athlete he had been all his life; replacing daily runs with cross-fit, battling ropes, skipping, and cycling and during the winter months, playing weekly on three different hockey teams. Friends will be received by the family at St. James Anglican Church, 41 Mornington St., Stratford on Saturday, April 13 from 1 p.m. until the Celebration of his Life at 2 p.m. The Rev. Canon Dr. Lorne Mitchell will officiate. A reception will be held at the church following the interment in God’s Holy Acre. In memory of Greg, memorial donations may be made to The Stratford Festival, The Stratford Humane Society, St. James Anglican Church or a charity of your choice through Cremation Alternatives, 1-833-738-6777, www.cremationalternatives.com13332341

Jim & Liz Henderson, 50th Wedding Anniversary, St. Albert, AB. August 5, 2018

August 5, 2018. From Rick & Merriane Holm. 
Jim & Liz Henderson's 50th wedding anniversary party in St. Albert, AB on the August long week-end.  A very nice party and a great visit with Jim and Liz as we hadn't seen them since the last 69er reunion in 2009.

Weldon Newton induction to the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame, 2016

Agricultural Hall of Fame: Weldon Newton

Four Manitobans were inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Portage la Prairie July 14. Over the next few weeks, we’re featuring each one with their citations

By Staff

Published: August 17, 2016 

Weldon Newton, Neepawa b:1947 – Photo: Supplied

After being raised on the family farm, Weldon Newton attended the University of Manitoba where he obtained his degree in agriculture majoring in soil science. Weldon and his brother Murray took over the farm, a farrow-to-finish hog operation as well as a grain operation growing cereal grains, canola, pulse crops and forage seed, in 1984 when their parents retired. Weldon along with his brother Murray and sister-in-law Donna were named the 2002 Red River Exhibition Farm Family of Year.

Weldon joined the Manitoba Hog Producers Marketing Board in 1973 and served for 20 years. In 1984, as the Manitoba representative on the Canadian Pork Council, Weldon was part of the committee that developed the first “Recommended code of practice for the care and handling of farm animals — PIGS.” And from 1992-98, Weldon served on the board of the Prairie Swine Centre where he supported a new approach to agricultural research objectives that were relevant to the industry at the time.  Weldon is often seen supporting an initiative or policy of an agricultural organization that clearly was not in the best interest of his own farm, but one he felt was in the best interest of agriculture collectively. Weldon has been recognized as being selfless and rises above self-interest to recognize the right thing for the industry.

His 16-year tenure as a Keystone Agriculture Producers board member (including four years as vice-president and two years as president) went a long way toward building the organization’s credibility with livestock producers and organizations in the province. And when the cattle industry went through the BSE crisis, Weldon’s leadership at KAP played an integral role in supporting the lobbying efforts of the Manitoba Cattle Producers and, ultimately, encouraged them to take the lead role.

Manitoba’s rural community has benefited from Weldon Newton’s leadership as he consistently sets aside his business interests to make time to improve the greater community.

Weldon has umpired base­­ball for 40 years and was awarded the Umpire of Merit award in 2007 by the Manitoba Baseball Association. This was a very fitting honour bestowed upon him and demonstrated the importance sports played throughout his life.

Roman Hrytsak, Calgary - UofM Aggie Grad 1967 - now boot carver

​

From: Burke and Helena Wilson <porkiestoo@shaw.ca>Date: Tue, Oct 4, 2016 at 10:01 AM
Subject: From Class of 67
To: Tom & Rose Rogers <rogerstomrose@gmail.com>, Peter Sanderson <sandersonpeterg@gmail.com>

Just as a matter of interest....

Yesterday in the Calgary Herald there a full page article on people(4) who make up the tapestry of Calgary. One of them caught my eye because it was a name from our past..... Roman Hrytsak.

I remember him specifically for his antics at an Aggie toga party in 1966. I referred to old year books......and sure enough.... He was in the class of ‘67 and there is even a picture of him in the ‘66 yearbook leading the toga parade  in a roman chariote.

In wood, Roman Hrytsak found his passion. In him, the wood found redemption.

Scrawled on the wall of Hrytsak’s backyard workshop are the words “These boots were made for talkin’!”

Rows of small, carved wooden boots line the shelves below.

Hrytsak, a husband and grandfather with a contagious sense of humour, began wood carving in 1990 when his wife, Marjorie, encouraged him to pick up a new hobby as a stress-reliever.

He attended a class in wood carving that year, bringing only a Dremel (a small, hand-held rotary power tool). “There were guys in there with equipment as if they were going to climb Mount Everest,” he recalls. “I just had this little machine. I was trembling. I sat down and I started carving.”

Hi first project was a western meadowlark songbird, which sits proudly on a shelf in his living room. Now, he carves boots — conversation pieces, as he calls them.

“I use wood that I find. I call it ‘F-wood’; free, fragile, firewood, fence posts,” he says. “Boots signify to me that they’ve been around and they’ve worked and they’re still there. They’re crinkled and that, but they carry you all the time.”

Hrytsak spends hours bathed in a cyclone of sawdust every week, listening to a French radio station (he can’t understand the words, but he says the music is beautiful) and the drone of machines.”I’m able to react with the wood. Sometimes, the wood tells me what to do, and sometimes I tell it what I’d like to do.

“It’s just so much fun, because you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Congratulations, McNabb family

Bob McNabb and family, including son-in-laws, seen here on July 15, 2014 in Portage la Prairie.  Bob was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame on that day. Bob and Elaine farmed at Minnedosa until recently.  Congratulations!

Ag Hall of Fame Event

One of my "jobs" is Director, Manitoba Ag Hall of Fame. In October 2011 we had a Fund -raiser dinner at Victoria Inn, Brandon. Over 300 paid guests from the agricultural community were there plus numerous VIP. Guest speaker, John Buehler, worth the price of admission.

Mel Johnson hard at it near Darlingford MB

BILL ANDERSON'S GRANDSON PHOTO

Added by Bill Anderson, August 2011 - his grandson

Bill Anderson, Ray Redfern and Tom Rogers - June 25/11

Tom Rogers and Bill Anderson advising Ray Redfern who does not need advice

Fran Anderson, Rose & Tom Rogers, Bill Anderson, Ray & Bev Redfern

Rick Holm Retired January 31, 2011 - Celebration February 7

Kevin Hursh, well known Saskatchewan broadcaster and commentator wrote the following comments about the retirement of Rick Holm.

Rick receiving congratulations and gifts
from Bruce Coulman, Head, Plant Sciences

Changes at the Crop Development Centre
Last night, there was a retirement gathering for weed scientist Rick Holm. Rick has had a 40-year career, including 27 years with the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre. He’s a great scientist and great guy and he’ll be missed.

There have been a number of recent high-profile retirements from the Crop Development Centre. Flax breeder Gordon Rowland has retired and this is the last year for oat and barley breeder Brian Rossnagel. Both men were giants in their respective crops.

The good news is that new people are on-board to continue the work. Helen Booker is the new flax breeder. Aaron Beattie is doing oat and barley breeding. And Rick Holm’s position as a weed scientist will be filled in a few months.

Many other staff members are in the prime of their career including Tom Warkentin, Tar’an Bunyamin and Sabine Banniza in pulse crops and Pierre Hucl who does wheat and canaryseed breeding. Durum wheat breeder Curtis Pozniak is responsible for the new variety CDC Verona, the first durum from the Crop Development Centre in many years.

Since its creation in 1971, the Crop Development Centre has released nearly 300 commercial crop varieties and has been a huge benefit for Prairie agriculture.

I’m Kevin Hursh.







Rick thanking the guests
and commenting on the power of weeds

   

Rick and Merriranne with son Eric and wife Alice





  

Rose & Tom Rogers, Doug & Marnie McNiven
Rick & Merrianne, Lynn & Gord Roland 




Some of the ~100 guests at Rick Holm's retirement celebration at the Faculty Club, University of Saskatchewan



Bill Brechman's Funeral - Ray Redfern's 2010 Business News

From: Ray Redfern

Sent: December-26-10 11:20 PM
To: rtriggs1@telus.net
Subject: hi from Ray

Hi and Best of the Season;

I just received your e-mail address from Larry Gomph who was at Bill Brechman’s funeral as was I. His funeral service was special and caught the essence of the man I remember so many years ago. Seems he remaining true to himself and was seen as special by all who knew him throughout the many aspects of his life!

I have heard a rumor that you may have endured some health issues yourself but am not aware of any details so am sending this message –how goes it? I seem to recall that you were working towards more time to do those things that you wanted to do –so trust this is in fact your lot in life.

I have continued to be wrapped up in the work day of an integrated crop input retail operation with many issues with customers, staff, the challenges of change, the economy, and the unique position of our operation in the network of retailers. Check us out at: Redferns.ca

Some side notes this year, were being feted by the association representing our industry, traveling to the Mediterranean on a tour, diversification of our own farming operation, and most notably, the birth of our first Grandson – Landon to our son who is a frontline worker for our business Redferns and acting as crew leader for our large harvest operation.

There –I’ve given you a snapshot of 2010 for Ray so hope I’ll hear from you about 2010 for Ron. I surely hope that I hear that health is fine and I recall that you are much too stubborn to lose a fight.

Best of the Season, and Happy New Year.

Ray

Bill Breckman Obituary

November 13, 2010  Obituary

WILLIAM ARNI BRECKMAN (published on November 13, 2010)

WILLIAM ARNI BRECKMAN December 29, 1945 November 9, 2010 It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, William (Bill) Breckman of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Bill died on November 9, 2010, at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, at the age of 64, after a short battle with cancer. He is survived by his adoring wife, Carol; loving daughters, Krista (Greg Drawson) and Tara (Howie Yuen); his beloved grandchildren, Stephani, Vanessa, Nicole, Connor and Lia; and great-grandson Patrick; special daughter Meaghan; and bonus grandkids , Mariesha and Jordan; brother Tom (Judy); sister Sandra (Grant); sisters-in-law, Joy (John), Faye (Alvin) and Carol; special aunt Kristin, Uncle Jim and Aunt Helga, Aunt Marg and Aunt Pearl and many, many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Katrin (Kaye) and Gudlaugur (Slivers) Breckman; his mother and father-in-law, Audrey and Tom Surgenor; brothers-in-law, Dave and Wayne, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Bill was an honourable, kind, selfless, generous, talented and loving man. He would run to help whoever needed him at the drop of a hat. Uncle Silly Billy was quick with a funny remark, and known for his Billisms and his crazy sense of humour. He was a talented woodworker and an award-winning wood carver. He treasured his time golfing with his sons-in-law, and renovating his own and his girls' homes. He was devoted to his family. Dad will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him, but the lessons he taught us to be strong and honest and kind, to believe in ourselves, to be fearless in trying something new, to give to others, and to treasure family above all will sustain us. We will love you forever, Dad. A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at the Windsor Park United Church in Winnipeg at 1062 Autumnwood Drive with Rev. Sharon Wilson officiating. Interment to follow in the St. Vital Cemetery. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Winnipeg Palliative Care service and Riverview Health Centre for their kindness, compassion and constant care. Words cannot express our thanks to our friends and family for their unfailing love and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Canada, 2446 Bank Street, Suite 656, Ottawa, ON K1V 1A8 or online at www.pancreaticcancercanada.ca. 100% of donations will go directly to research. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME Ashern Lundar 1-204-768-2072 1-866-323-3593