Killarney's Dave Koslowsky will remain as chair of the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) for the second year in a row.

The 2017 board of directors was announced during the group's AGM held last week in Brandon.

"Our MFGA board took some giant organizational steps over the past year with a hard look inward and an update of our existing governance and bylaws," says Koslowsky. "As a board, we decided last year that to make the most meaningful impact and to realize our best potential for MFGA across Manitoba's agricultural industry, we needed to look at how we conduct business first. I feel very confident this new governance structure will bring MFGA into more conversations and dialogues on behalf of the producers we represent." 

Virden's Darren Chapman will serve as vice-chair, while Ryan Boyd of Forrest, Manitoba will fill the role of finance committee chair. Boyd's executive position is brand new for the organization.

Chapman replaces Henry Nelson, a longtime board member who retired from the board to focus his full attention on the Aquanty Project as project manager.

Koslowsky said adding Chapman and Boyd to the executive was key to accelerating and gaining momentum as an agricultural producer group advocating for grasses and forages.

"Darren is well-known and well-regarded across Manitoba for his work on the Chapman family farm as well as his work on the Manitoba Hay Exporter file. Darren will bring a strong business sense and a strong network to the vice-chair position," he commented. "Ryan Boyd is one of Manitoba's brightest lights on regenerative farming with livestock, grazing, soil health and cover crops and is a sought after speaker and expert for the ways his family farms. Ryan is well aware of the financial stability that MFGA seeks through partnerships and our existing programs and will bring a sharp eye with him to our efforts." 

Other long-time board members to step down were University of Manitoba's Dr. Kim Ominski, who deferred the U of M's one ex-officio position on the board to colleague Emma McGeough, and Lorne Rossnagel of Plumas, MB.