Manitoba Ag Days wrapped up yesterday at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, and later today you’ll probably see a recap video on social media. You will definitely note there is a song underneath that video. It’s called Farmer Town, and was written and performed by Matt Zimmerman who calls Kleefeld home, which is near Steinbach.

"I'm honoured Manitoba Ag days wants to have my song Farmer Town as part of their big wrap up video for for Ag Days 2024," explained Zimmerman while he visited the Golden West booth at Canada's largest indoor farm show this week. "And then to also be able to showcase the single here, in front of all the exhibitors at the Roadhouse in Brandon. I'm absolutely honoured."

The new song from the singer-songwriter is being released today via streaming services.

Matt used to be part of the Golden West family, and has been on the music scene for a while now. He grew up in Steinbach, and his childhood home's backyard backed onto a farmer's field.

"I got as close to being on the farm as I could," he said with a chuckle.

Farmer Town comes from the rural lifestyle experiences Zimmerman has had, which included living in Brandon for about ten years.

"I was on a road trip with my wife and my grandmother out to Shoal Lake, and I thought, you know, these small towns, they're all here for one reason, and they're here to support the farming industry," he shared when talking about where the idea for the song came from. "They've got one streetlight, one grain elevator, one coffee shop, one hairdresser, all that kind of stuff. I thought that's small town life. It's here to support the people producing, and so it just made lots of sense. When we went back to the trailer up at Clear Lake, I sat down in the add-a- room, just outside the trailer, and I wrote Farmer Town."

Matt's time at Manitoba Ag Days also served as the kick off to a tour in support of his new song:

Friday, Jan. 19th - Virden Legion - Virden, MB (single release day)

Saturday, January 20th - Morden - Rock's Bar and Grill

Wednesday, Jan. 24th - The Sawmill - Boissevain, MB

Thursday, Jan. 25th - The Dock - Brandon, MB

Sunday, Jan. 28th - Mid-West Arts Council - Hamiota, MB

Friday, Feb. 2nd - Bigg Smoak BBQ - Steinbach, MB (music video release day)

You will be able to watch the Manitoba Ag Days recap video featuring Farmer Town, here.

You can listen to reporter Betty Sawatzky's full interview with Matt Zimmerman, below.