History of farm / Business: My grandfather homesteaded in the area in 1895, and my father bought this farm in 1940. I have always wanted to farm, after school I could hardly wait to get home and run up the lane so I could drive the tractor.

Jo Lene and I got married in 1976. We raised pigs and grain, adding cattle in 1984. We grow wheat, barley, canola and lentils. We had to stop raising pigs after the small markets were taken over by corporate hog production; we were losing too much money to keep the pigs.

Farm / Food Philosophy: I like to grow food. I am discontented by the lack of profitability due to the world market controls in agriculture.

Favourite Manitoba Meal: I love meat and potatoes twice a day! My favourite food is beef and vegetable stew. Jo Lene loves chicken and dumplings. We like our comfort foods!

Why are you involved in HMS: We are hoping that the HMS can provide us with the stable market that farmers need to make a guaranteed income, and not be subject to price fluctuations. I want to stop hoping and actually make ends meet, and I want my son Joe to succeed in his dream to farm.

Something fun to know about me: I did attend the U of M Agriculture Diploma, and enjoyed two of the best years of my life there, making lifelong friends: 10 farming families and we still get together once a year.