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About Us
ABOUT US
The Prairie Fruit Growers Association is a voluntary non-profit organization representing all Manitoba fruit crop growers. Full membership provides bulk plant buying power of high quality, disease free stock, to lower costs for members. Associate membership is available to allied trades people and those interested in this type of horticultural production. The Association is represented by seven elected member directors and three advisors; one each from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the University of Manitoba.
PFGA Membership Benefits
Plant Order Discount
The PFGA provides bulk plant buying power of high quality strawberry and raspberry stock to lower costs for members.
Free Marketing/ Advertising
U-PICK FARM BROCHURE - We publish an annual brochure listing participating members' locations, their products and services. Thirty thousand of these brochures are distributed province wide to all Canadian Tires, many rural businesses, AG offices, Winnipeg malls, Tourism Manitoba kiosks and many, more locations.
BERRY HOT-LINE - A summer Berry Hot-Line with a Winnipeg local and a 1-800 number was established as an information distribution facility for consumers and growers members alike. Customers enjoy talking to a real person. Great info source for your customers across Manitoba.
PFGA WEBSITE– The website is very busy with customers accessing info on which farms are open today (updated weekly by hot-line operator)
PFGA DISPLAY PROMOTIONS– Our professional display is used at Ag in the City, mall promotions, food markets, fairs, conferences and many other public events promoting our industry.
MEDIA CONTACT– We are the main contact for news media for fruit related issues and events, the media look to the PFGA for grower contacts for various stories.
Public Awareness
Create public awareness of the industry by providing press releases to urban and rural newspapers. Our promotions goals are to direct customers to your farm. Active member of AG in the Classroom.
Grower Education
PFGA hosts events for the members throughout the year (Direct Farm Marketing Conference, Fruit Conference, workshops) on the latest fruit production and marketing information. The PFGA continues to work with On-Farm Food Safety Programs and Environmental Farm Plan programs to ensure that the public values Manitoba grown fruit not only for taste but as safe food products.
Growers are kept up to date on latest industry news, research and developments through the PFGA Newsletter and Prairie Fruit Journal (PFGA, SFGA, FGSA publication), free subscription with every membership. Free Classified Ads
available to all PFGA members to advertise buy, sell equipment, land, etc. in the newsletter.
A Voice To Government
PFGA provides a united voice to government, working in liaison with government officials to improve profitability and sustainability of our industry . Our efforts with MASC resulted in fruit crops being covered by crop insurance for the first time ever. Federal and provincial governments always consult with and seek input from the PFGA on new legislation and programs that may impact on the industry.
Research
The PFGA is administrating and is providing cash funding to numerous Manitoba fruit crop research projects. Past projects include: Strawberry Variety Trials, Raspberry Variety Trials, Saskatoon Disease Model Program, MB Fruit Nutritional and Nutraceutical Study, Saskatoon Variety Demonstration to name but a few.
Fruit Crop Research = Increased Farm Profit
Fruit Industry Contacts
We bring together growers, food industry reps, marketers, and suppliers. All members receive the Fruit Grower Newsletter and Prairie Fruit Journal, keeping you up to date on industry news, conferences, research advances and promotional info. The PFGA is a member of the Canadian Prairie Fruit Federation and Canadian Horticulture Council.
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