Where Blue Skies Meet Blue Fields

Manitobans will often recognize the vibrant yellow fields of canola, or the golden fields of wheat as they travel the provincial highways, but what is even more special is when you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a bright blue field of flax in full flower. Flax is an important crop for local farmers, like Dean. Dean and his family have been farming in the Pembina Valley region of Manitoba for generations and they have grown flax for as long as they can remember. It is a good fit for their mixed farm because they like to grow a wide variety of crops. A diverse crop rotation is important to keep soils healthy and to mitigate disease risk. Another tool they use to ensure their sustainability are their cattle. By maintaining both the cattle and crop enterprises Dean and his family are able to make the best use of every acre and nothing goes to waste. The straw from the crops can be utilized as bedding for cattle and the manure from the cattle creates valuable fertilizer for the land.  Dean is proud of the fact that, despite their individual successes in athletics and academics, his kids still see the family farm and the agricultural sector as an exciting place to start their careers.