An Inventory of Its Records at the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections

Inventory prepared by Kathleen Hamilton
University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(1991)

Finding aid encoded by Julianna Trivers (June 2002)
Finding aid written in English.

Revision History

• July 26, 2005 - MSS 69 converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).

Collection Summary

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Historical Sketch of the Manitoba Farm Bureau

The predecessor of the Keystone Agricultural Producers, the Manitoba Farm Bureau, was formed in January 1965, necessitated by years of turmoil between farmers and associations/organizations. This grief resulted from a steady decline in membership participation, a shortage of finances, lack of unity between groups, and constant internal quarrelling. In short, these various independent organizations were not meeting the voluntary and commercial needs of their members.

In the 1930's two non-commercial farm organizations existed. The Manitoba Co-operative Conference, made up of commercial co-operative institutions, and the United Farmers of Manitoba, including educational institutions. In 1935 a proposal was made for unification, to connect educational and commercial activities, but no action was taken. Thus, they remained detached and uncoordinated.

In September 1938 Manitoba Premier John Bracken had the United Farmers of Manitoba select representatives to join in discussions to form a new organization. From this a sub-committee of five was selected to make recommendations for a new recognized farm organization to include educational and commercial bodies. The name of this organization was to be The Organized Farmers of Manitoba. At a meeting in June 1939 a new organization was formed but given the name Manitoba Federation of Agriculture.

During the 1940's there was a great deal of discussion regarding the Manitoba Federation of Agriculture's relationships with co-operatives and credit unions. The Manitoba Federation of Agriculture feared loss of support through the formation of a distinct organization. Therefore, a reformation took place in 1945 in which the Manitoba Federation of Agriculture and Co-operationreplaced the Manitoba Federation of Agriculture.

In 1947 farm unions rose in popularity throughout western Canada. In Manitoba the Manitoba Farmers Union played the greatest role. During the late 1940's and early 1950's battles ensued between these rival organizations on the matter of commercial co-operatives in non-commercial farm organizations. The Manitoba Farmers Union argued that co-operatives should not be members of a non-commercial "grass roots" union organization of individual farmers. Also, both groups were claiming authority so neither consulted the other on general farm policy.

Despite these divergent viewpoints attempts at unification continued. In 1954, 1955 a negotiating committee was formed to discuss the possibility of amalgamation. A structure was even set up for a proposed new organization which would be called Organized Farmers of Manitoba. At their annual conventions each side endorsed unity; however, they could never agree on basic issues. In February 1957 a major meeting of 1200 farmers was held to make the decision. By vote amalgamation was rejected. The central issue once again was the place of co-operatives in the farmers' union. Meetings continued between 1956 and 1960 but unity remained out of the question.

In 1960 another conference addressed the problem of farm unity. It was convened by Dean Weir of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Manitoba. Its aim was to investigate the organizational principles of farmers in order to discover the bases of a new organization. It was decided that yet another meeting should be necessary to clarify issues and to allow the participating organizations more freedom.

At the second conference it was recommended that the Manitoba Federation of Agricultureand Co-operation, the Manitoba Farmers' Union and the University choose members to form a selection committee to look into developing a new organization.

At the third conference meeting it was decided that the university had served its purpose so the conference was reconstituted. A new committee was formed consisting of two members from each organization and two appointed by the new chairman, R.C. Brown. This committee was to nominate a research committee and report back to the Conference of Farm Organizations.

The Conference of Farm Organizations held its first meeting February 17, 1961. Here the subject of the Manitoba Federation of Agriculture and Co-operation/Manitoba Farm Bureau was discussed. Differences were irreconcilable, however, there was agreement that they sponsor some kind of new entity to face the problems of a changing agricultural economy.

Another commission, financed by the United Grain Growers and Manitoba Pool Elevators, was formed to study existing farm organizations. It sought written comments from various farm organizations, including the Manitoba Farmers' Union. Its report was tabled in January 1963.

The next meeting was held June 10, 1963 in which a liaison committee was formed to further study the report, find a way to formalize united action, and to hold meetings to discuss current policy decisions.

The first liaison committee meeting was held October 1, 1963 and chaired by Dr. Sol Sinclair of the University of Manitoba. At this meeting a sub-committee was formed to draft an outline of an organization for farm organizational unity.

In March 1964 the liaison committee suggested two forms of organizations, plus theManitoba Farmers' Union representative - J. Canart gave his own ideas since he did not agree with the others. The sub-committee suggested at the next meeting that harmonious formulation was the key and an ultimatum of one year was given. Mr. Canart was asked to discontinue negotiations due to his inflexibility.

In July 1964 the Manitoba Farmers' Union decided not to join the Conference on Agricultural Organizations, though its president would attend meetings simply as a negotiator.

On October 16, 1964 a committee was appointed to make a plan for a formal provincial farm organization. On November 16 it presented its report and suggested the name be Manitoba Farm Bureau. It proposed the following membership: all commodity groups; commercial co-operatives; Manitoba Women's Institute; Manitoba Federation of Agriculture; Diploma Agricultural Graduates' Association; agricultural societies; municipal associations; livestock breeders' associations; farm management groups; and the Manitoba Farmers' Union. The Plan was adapted with minor amendments, although the Manitoba Farmers' Union refused to join.

The goals of the new Manitoba Farm Bureau were multiple and included the following: to be affiliated with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture; to seek affiliation with national producer groups--seed growers, dairymen, livestock organizations, etc.; to co-ordinate groups and look for common agricultural policy; and to provide a strong voice to the farmers of Manitoba.

Representation was based on the number of producers in member groups. The greatest representation was by the Manitoba Pool Elevators. It provided 37,000 members and eight representatives. Next were the United Grain Growers and the Manitoba Women's Institute, each with four representatives. Other member groups each had three representatives

The first president was W.S. Forrester, former president of the Manitoba Beet Growers' Association. Vice-president was G. Franklin of Deloraine, representative of Manitoba Pool Elevators. Second vice-president was Mrs. D. Buron of Swan River, president of Manitoba Women's Institute.

Problems first to be dealt with included taxation of real property and gasoline, farmers' income position and unemployment insurance for farm labour.

The stated aims and objectives of the Manitoba Farm Bureau were as follows: to unify the purposes and policies of organized agriculture in Manitoba; to promote the interests of farmers and farmers' organizations and promote common interest through collective action; to formulate and promote provincial, national and international agricultural policies to meet changing economic conditions; to represent farmers before government and authorities; to study and protect interests of membership relating to existing and considered legislation (both provincial and federal); and to promote the social, economic and cultural well-being of rural Manitoba, and develop programs of mutual assistance and self-help.

The initial membership consisted of the following: Canadian Co-operative Implements Ltd.; Diploma Agricultural Graduates' Association; Federated Co-operatives Ltd.; Hog Producers Association of Manitoba; Manitoba Beet Growers' Association; Manitoba Branch, Canadian Seed Growers; Manitoba Chicken Broiler Industry Association; Manitoba Egg and Pullet Product Association; Manitoba Hatchery Association; Manitoba Pool Elevators; Manitoba Stock GrowersAssociation; Manitoba Turkey Association; Manitoba Women's Institute; United Grain Growers Ltd.; Vegetable Growers Association of Manitoba; and Winnipeg District Milk Producers Co- operative Association Ltd.

Groups against joining immediately were Manitoba Stock Growers' Association, Manitoba Dairy and Poultry Co-operatives, and the Manitoba Farmers' Union.

The Manitoba Farm Bureau continued to operate until 1984. In 1984 a new company was formed which took its place, remaining a separate entity. The new company, Keystone Agricultural Producers, took over the assets and liabilities. It also agreed to put the Manitoba Farm Bureau files into the Department of Archives & Special Collections of the University of Manitoba where they would be preserved.

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Scope and Contents of the Papers

The Keystone Agricultural Producers Collection consists mainly of office files of the Manitoba Farm Bureau which were generated from 1965-1984. Also included are files produced prior to 1965 by the Manitoba Farm Bureau's predecessors.

These files, arranged for the most part in their original chronological order, contain the following: by-laws; reports; submissions; minutes; news releases; and correspondence of the Manitoba Farm Bureau and its eighteen-member organizations. Also included are materials from outside related organizations such as L'Union Catholique des Cultivateurs, National Farmers Union, federations of agriculture of other provinces, etc.

After the proper chronological sequencing, up to 1984, there are files which were not included in this manner. They cover other activities which took place during 1979 and 1980.

Significantly, the Manitoba Farm Bureau's early files are not as complete as the later ones. This is due to a basement flood which occured in the basement of the Manitoba Farm Bureau headquarters which destroyed a number of them.

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Organization of the Papers

This collection is organized into 2 series

• Pre-Manitoba Farm Bureau Files
• Manitoba Farm Bureau Files

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Arrangement of the Papers

This collection is arranged

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Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions on access.

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Related Papers

Several other unprocessed accessions of the Keystone Agricultural Producers are housed by the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections including A.93-92, A.96-32, A.98-29, A.00-31, and A.01-34.

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Custodial History

Donated by the Keystone Agricultural Producers, 1986

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Other Finding Aids

Finding aids for the unprocessed accessions of the Keystone Agricultural Producers are available on-line.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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