Agriculture

Minister: David Beaudin

 

The Manitoba Métis Federation's (MMF) Agriculture Portfolio is housed within the MMF's Energy, Infrastructure and Resource Management (EIRM) Department. Since its revitalization in 2020, the Agriculture Portfolio has developed and implemented programming and initiatives to address Red River Métis priorities within the agriculture and agri-food sector. Work is centralized around Citizen-identified priorities of community and climate resilience, food security, and educational programming.

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Red River Métis On-Farm Climate Action Program

The Red River Métis On-Farm Climate Action Program (OFCAF), administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, provides Red River Métis agricultural producers across the National Homeland with up to $100,000 to adopt farm management practices that address climate change adaptation and mitigation. Eligible practices, which have been selected for their potential to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions relative to modern agricultural practices, are focused on three categories: nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing.

Through the 2025-26 year, the MMF has awarded over $11.4 million in OFCAF funding to 171 Red River Métis agricultural producers, improving over 98,000ac of agricultural land.

The MMF is pleased to continue OFCAF program delivery through 2027-28. More information, including the application form, can be found HERE.

Please direct any questions or completed application forms to agriculture@mmf.mb.ca.

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Farmers for Climate Solutions

To facilitate training and mentorship opportunities amongst Red River Métis agricultural producers, the Agriculture Portfolio is pleased to offer online and in-person educational events, including webinars, farm tours, and field days. These educational events increase knowledge and promote implementation of on-farm beneficial management practices eligible for funding under OFCAF.

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Bison

The MMF owns a small herd of bison, housed at Red River Métis-owned Iron Head Bison Ranch in Southeast Region. In late 2025, ten animals were processed, allowing for distribution of over 3,500lbs of bison meat to Red River Métis Citizens. The herd currently consists of 6 heifers, aged 2-4yrs.

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Living Labs

The Living Labs project supports MMF-led on-farm research activities that address carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and ecosystem health. In October 2025, the MMF began on-farm research with the establishment of two 5-acre pollinator strips on Red River Métis-owned agricultural land, seeded by a Red River Métis drone operator. These pollinator strips feature numerous native- and non-native plant species, both annual and perennial, providing habitat for a variety of pollinator species. These pollinator strips are monitored monthly to assess pollinator, soil, and plant health.

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Food Security Initiative

The MMF's Food Security Initiative will help tackle food insecurity by establishing a network of greenhouses, community gardens, and edible forests across the National Homeland. This initiative focuses on utilizing traditional horticulture practices, knowledge sharing, and youth employment and training. Greenhouses have been established in Interlake, Northwest, Southwest, The Pas, Thompson, and Winnipeg Regions, along with community gardens in Southeast Region and in Winnipeg Region at Riel House National Historic Site. In 2025, over 6,300lbs of produce was harvested and distributed to Red River Métis Citizens.

Citizens who are interested in food security related programming are encouraged to reach out to foodsecurity@mmf.mb.ca.

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Community Garden Initiative

Through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the MMF has received funding from Manitoba Agriculture to assist MMF Locals in establishing and maintaining community gardens, increasing access to nutritious, culturally relevant food while strengthening connections between Citizens, land, and community. Through this program, active MMF Locals are eligible to apply to receive support in the way of garden infrastructure and materials, guidance, and educational resources to assist with garden planning, establishment, and early operation.

More information, including the application form, can be found HERE. Application forms can be submitted to foodsecurity@mmf.mb.ca.

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At-Home Garden Project

The At-Home Garden Project, or garden box program, brings small-scale agriculture to Red River Métis Citizens at home. In 2025, the Agriculture Portfolio, at the direction of the Regions, contracted the construction of over 1,300 garden boxes for distribution to Red River Métis Citizens. Heritage variety seeds were also provided to garden box recipients.

Intake is currently closed. Citizens who are interested in food security related programming, including the At-Home Garden Project, are encouraged to reach out to foodsecurity@mmf.mb.ca.

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Protein Industries Canada

This collaborative project with Prairie Research Kitchen (Red River College) aims to engage the Red River Métis in food innovation and recipe development, and to investigate and promote the inclusion of nutritious, sustainable ingredients in traditional foods, where possible. The Agriculture Portfolio has hosted a series of community events which featured discussion of culturally relevant food and ingredients, Red River Métis participation in the agri-food space, and food processing/food product development. Hands-on demonstrations of traditional food preparation and preservation techniques were led by Red River Métis Citizens.

For questions regarding the work of the MMF's Agriculture Portfolio, please contact agriculture@mmf.mb.ca.