Growing Opportunities-About Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives-Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives

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Francais

October 2005

About Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives

Growing Opportunities

Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives released its new organizational structure, Growing Opportunities, in December 2004. The first phase of the organizational restructuring involved an extensive consultative process with staff, industry, community leaders and community members. Our partners indicated that Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives’ programs and services needed to be realigned to best meet local community and industry needs and to meet the Department’s expanded mandate. They also advised that Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives needed to work more collaboratively with industry, rural communities, and agricultural associations and organizations to take advantage of emerging opportunities in food and non-food value-added industries.

The Department was encouraged by the high level of participation of people who have a stake in the future of rural Manitoba and in the agriculture and agri-food industry. Twelve focus groups were held involving over 110 clients and industry representatives.

After listening to the input from staff, industry, and communities, the new organizational structure was designed to meet the new thrusts to be undertaken in conjunction with the Department’s overall mission as described in the Destination 2010 vision document. The department is now actively engaging in Phase 2 of Growing Opportunities, which consists of implementing and refining the organizational structure designed in Phase 1. During 2005-2006, the Department will be focused on recruiting, orienting, training and transitioning staff to the new positions established under Growing Opportunities and setting up offices for the new organizational units. Department staff will also be consulting further with industry and communities to identify industry and community priorities and to obtain feedback from clients on programming, as part of the Department’s new ongoing strategic planning process.

As a result, some of the new programs introduced under Growing Opportunities may not yet be fully described on this website. Some programs were established by April 1, 2005, while other programs will take longer to establish due to the staffing and office set-ups required.

For further information, click here to view our Growing Opportunities brochure.