The province has announced that a new chair, and vice-chair will sit on the board for the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC). New directors have also been appointed, while one existing director has been extended.

“The individuals appointed and extended on the board of the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation will play an important role in supporting agricultural stakeholders in our province,” said Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler.  “Agriculture is a key economic driver in Manitoba and I have great confidence in the experience, knowledge and abilities of the newly formed board of MASC in helping to further grow and diversify the sector.”

The new chair of the board is Jim Wilson, while Charles Mayer will assume the role of vice-chair. Wilson operates a grain farm in the community of Darlingford.  He is also a chartered accountant, previously working in public practice for 20 years with a focus on business and individual advisory and tax services. Mayer is a former federal minister of agriculture and a former member of the Canadian House of Commons, serving for 15 years as the member of Parliament for Portage-Marquette.  He has operated a mixed farm involving cattle and irrigated crops.

Newly appointed directors are Karen Fatteicher, Suszanne Jones, Darrell McElroy, Laurent Ponsin and Diane Rourke.

Doug Chorney, a former president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), has been extended as an existing director.