St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin – The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) recently welcomed members and partners to the Lake Winnipeg Basin (LWB) Project Tour, an immersive field experience highlighting the critical connection between sustainable potato production and watershed health. The tour brought together growers, researchers, agronomists, government representatives, conservation organizations, and food industry partners to explore innovative, science-based practices that improve water quality while maintaining productive agricultural operations.
Held across southern Manitoba, the tour provided participants with an up-close look at collaborative conservation efforts taking place throughout the Lake Winnipeg Basin. Stops included the Stephenfield Lake Reservoir, regional irrigation infrastructure, Corduroy Plains, Blumengart Colony, and WJ Siemens Farming Company, where attendees examined real-world examples of sustainable farming practices and watershed management.
Throughout the day, participants explored topics including phosphorus management, irrigation efficiency, manure management, shelterbelts, precision agriculture, yield monitoring, and nutrient removal through biomass harvesting. Discussions emphasized the importance of collaboration across the agricultural value chain to address shared environmental challenges while strengthening farm productivity and resilience.
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“The Lake Winnipeg Basin Project brings together farmers, industry, government, and Indigenous leaders to identify and build on effective practices already in use. It highlights farmers’ stewardship and shares these efforts with the broader public, increasing awareness of agriculture’s role in protecting water, improving soil health, and supporting resilient landscapes,” says Scott Graham, Raw Agronomy Manager at Simplot. “Farmers are progressive in their approach to sustainability on their land and within the watershed. This project gives them a chance to share what they are already doing and bring those efforts to light.” |
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The Lake Winnipeg Basin Project Tour highlighted several key takeaways about the importance of practical stewardship, collaboration and shared learning in advancing watershed health and supporting resilient farms and communities:
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The Lake Winnipeg Basin is one of North America’s most significant freshwater watersheds, making collaborative efforts to reduce nutrient losses and improve water quality increasingly important. Through projects like this, PSA continues to support practical, farmer-led sustainability initiatives that generate measurable environmental outcomes while supporting a resilient potato industry. |
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“With operations and supply sheds located throughout the Lake Winnipeg Basin, we’re proud to support the Lake Winnipeg Basin Project, which aims to advance on-farm practices that improve water quality, enhance soil health, and build landscape resilience. Opportunities like this field tour demonstrate how collaboration between producers, researchers, governments, and industry can accelerate the adoption of practical solutions that protect water quality while supporting productive, resilient farms,” says Leaya Amey, Senior Manager, Sustainability at Maple Leaf Foods. |
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The tour underscored the value of bringing diverse stakeholders together to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and identify opportunities for continued innovation. As the Lake Winnipeg Basin Project moves forward, PSA and its partners remain committed to advancing sustainable potato production through collaboration, research, and continuous improvement. The Lake Winnipeg Basin Project is made possible through the shared commitment of organizations investing in the future of agriculture and watershed health. Together, these partners are supporting collaborative efforts that connect agricultural productivity with improved water quality and environmental outcomes across the watershed. Support is provided by Cargill, Maple Leaf Foods, Potato Sustainability Alliance, and Simplot. Learn more about the progress and future phases of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Project: potatosustainability.org/lake- |
