Features

Retailer of the Year: Redfern Farm Services

Hearing they had won the 2017 Retailer of the Year award took manager Lane Wanless and his team at Redfern Farm Services, Virden location by surprise, but once it sunk in, they were thrilled. The prestigious award recognizes one CAAR member that went above and beyond to serve its customers, something the team at Virden pride themselves on.

Agronomist of the Year: Barry Mankewich

The winner of the 2017 Agronomist of the Year award has worked in a variety of roles in his 40-year career, but Barry Mankewich has always been happiest when helping his customers in the field.

“I love plant nutrition, crop protection and everything to do with agronomy,” says Mankewich, who has been working as an agronomist with GJ Chemical Company Ltd. at their Arnaud, Man. location since 2006.

4R Nutrient Stewardship Agri-Retailer: Co-operative Retailing System

Trish Meyers, knowledge and innovation manager at Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), believes that 4R Nutrient Stewardship allows agri-retailers to steer the conversation about sustainability in agriculture in a way that is good for their farmer customers.

“Farmers have been using 4R practices for a long time, we just haven’t had a name for it,” says Meyers. “The 4R program gives us a way to quantify what farmers are doing and lets us be in the driver’s seat to tell our good news story.”

Retailer Hall of Fame: Pattie Ganske

When she first started working part-time at Parkland Fertilizers in Wetaskiwin, Alta., Pattie Ganske didn’t know she was paving the way for woman in agri-retail and agriculture.

More than three decades later, her excellence in business, participation on numerous boards, including multiple terms on the CAAR board, and unwavering dedication to agriculture advocacy have earned her the 2017 Retailer Hall of Fame award.

Chairman’s Award: Bob McNaughton

The winner of CAAR’s 2017 Chairman’s Award has been a force in the Ontario fertilizer industry throughout his career, which has spanned more than 40 years. Although his business achievements are numerous and impressive, it is his commitment to giving back to the industry and his active, vocal and passionate support for CAAR that earned Bob McNaughton the Chairman’s Award.

CAAR’s 2018 Year in Preview

Developing a comprehensive strategy for the future of CAAR.

With a new year comes new opportunities for CAAR to better serve its membership, craft solutions to industry challenges and reach new stakeholders across the agri-retail industry. To accomplish that goal, CAAR is calling on all members to submit their feedback, priorities and ideas to shape the association’s focus in 2018.

Celebrate Canada's Agriculture Day at the Icebreaker Cocktail Reception

Once again, the CAAR Conference coincides with Canada’s Agriculture Day, created last year by Agriculture More Than Ever to highlight the ag industry and strengthen connections between consumers and the food production chain. Join us at the Icebreaker Cocktail Reception to kick off the conference and raise a glass to celebrate agriculture in Canada – and we have a lot to celebrate!

CAAR Pro-Ag Investments Auction

It wouldn’t be the CAAR Conference without CAAR’s Pro-Ag Investments Auction! Always a conference highlight, this annual event supports programming and advocacy, while helping to keep membership fees low.

CAAR Introduces Mitch Rezansoff as Executive Director

Mitch Rezansoff has a love for agriculture, a strong personal drive and an innovative spirit.

Having spent significant early life on his family’s farm in the Swan River Valley, Man., Mitch Rezansoff began developing a passion for agriculture at a young age. “I love watching animals, crops and the industry itself develop,” he says.

CAAR’s 2017 Year in Review

CAAR represented agri-retailers on a diverse range of issues in 2017.

In 2017, CAAR continued to focus on advocacy and created positive benefits for agri-retailers on numerous policy and compliance issues. Reflecting on the past year, CAAR is proud to have delivered on its mandate to advance and defend Canadian agri-retail.

“It is CAAR’s promise to you that we will continue working to ensure the collective voice of our membership is being heard and acted upon,” says Lynda Nicol, director of member services at CAAR.

Speaker Spotlight

This year's CAAR Conference features an exceptional lineup of insightful speakers and excellent entertainment. The Communicator spoke with two of our featured speakers to get a preview of what conference delegates can expect.

Chairman's Award: David Thompson

He began his career with a stint in the department of agriculture in P.E.I., but quickly moved on to private industry where his career took off in crop protection, sales, marketing and providing technical support to producers in the Maritime provinces, Quebec and Maine.

Retailer Hall of Fame: Art Funk

Art Funk started his career in the agri-retail industry as a one-man operation, which quickly grew into a prosperous and multi-faceted business. His years of dedication to his customers, his community and the industry were recognized when he was named the recipient of the Retailer Hall of Fame award at the 10th annual CAAR’s Choice Awards Banquet.

Agronomist of the Year: Laurie Manshreck

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated agronomist than Laurie Manshreck, retail manager with Paterson Grain in Melita, Man. After nearly 30 years in the industry, Manshreck has lost no enthusiasm for her work and is just as invested in her customers today as she was on day one.

Retailer of the Year: Top Gro Agro Ltd.

In only six short years, Top Gro Agro Ltd. has made a lasting impact on the small Alberta hamlet of Mallaig. That impact was recognized at the 10th annual CAAR’s Choice Awards Banquet when Chris Schuh, the manager at Top Gro Agro, accepted the Retailer of the Year award on behalf of the company.

The 2017 CAAR Conference: Enhancing Expertise. Building Trust.

Nestled in the picturesque Canadian Rockies, the 2017 CAAR Conference hosted at the Fairmont Banff Springs offered an unforgettable experience for agri-retailers. The conference provided attendees with valuable opportunities to enhance their expertise and network with their peers over three days at the only national conference tailored to the business of agri-retail.

Celebrate Canada’s Agriculture Day

Celebrate Canada’s Agriculture Day on Feb. 16, 2017 with friends, colleagues and CAAR! The first of its kind, this unique day was created by Agriculture More Than Ever and will coincide with the 2017 CAAR Conference.

CAAR’s Choice Awards Banquet

The 2017 CAAR Conference marks the 10th annual CAAR’s Choice Awards. These prestigious awards are presented annually at the conference and recognize and celebrate the hard work, dedication and contributions of CAAR members throughout the ag industry.

CAAR Pro-Ag Investments Auction

A CAAR Conference favourite, the Pro-Ag Investments Auction supports a wide range of initiatives at CAAR that are designed to strengthen and enhance the Canadian ag industry. This year’s auction will be held on Wednesday Feb. 15 from 3:30 – 5 p.m.

2016: CAAR’s Year in Review

We look back on CAAR’s accomplishments and successes throughout the past year, focusing on your association’s advocacy efforts, industry involvement, partnerships and more.