Program
Keep an eye out as details are released closer to the conference.
Monday November 16
6:30 pm – Registration
7:00 pm – Cocktails & Connections
7:30 pm – Activity
11:00 pm – Close
Tuesday November 17
8:00 am – Registration & Welcome
9:00 am. – Keynote: Dr. Jody Carrington
10:00 am. – Coffee Break
10:30 am – Select - A - Session
– Option 1: Dr. Jody Carrington – Leadership: taking control in complex times
– Option 2: Melina Elliot – Menopause Practice
– Option 3: Jeanette Gaultier – BASF - Making Canola Great Again
11:30 am – Select - A - Session
– Option 1: Dr. Jody Carrington – Leadership: taking control in complex times
– Option 2: Melina Elliot – Menopause Practice
– Option 3: Jeanette Gaultier – BASF – Making Canola Great Again
12:30 pm – Lunch
1:30 pm. – Tours are dismissed (tours start at 2 pm)
– Option 1: Versatile
– Option 2: Canadian Grain Commission
– Option 3: Trans Canada Brewing
– Option 4: Harvest Manitoba
– Option 5: Peak of the Market
6:00 pm – Reception
6:30 pm – Dinner with Dignitaries
8:00 pm – Band: The Friends Band
Wednesday November 18
8:00 am – Registration & Coffee
8:30 am – Welcome
8:45 am – Keynote: Stephanie Staples
9:45 am – MFWC Activity
10:30 am – Brunch
11:30 am – Select - A - Session
– Option 1: Stephanie Staples - Cultivating the Connections That Sustain Us
– Option 2: Sherri Lund & Sherrie Volk - IG Wealth Management - Will & Estate Planning
– Option 3: Morag Marjerison – Making Safety On The Farm A Priority
12:30 pm – Select - A - Session
– Option 1: Stephanie Staples - Cultivating the Connections That Sustain Us
– Option 2: Sherri Lund & Sherrie Volk - IG Wealth Management - Will & Estate Planning
– Option 3: Morag Marjerison– Making Safety On The Farm A Priority
1:15 pm – Activity/Speaker: Kayla Gillis
2:00 pm – Wrap Up
This Years speakers
Stay tuned as details are released throughout the year.
Dr. Jody Carrington
Renowned Psychologist | Human Connection Expert | Bestselling Author
Dr. Jody Carrington is a renowned psychologist and a charismatic keynote speaker celebrated for her profound expertise in human connections. As a leading authority in addressing complex,
human-centred challenges, Dr. Carrington excels in guiding individuals and organizations through the intricacies of re-establishing relationships in today's increasingly disconnected society. She boldly believes that all humans have the capacity for good; however, so many of us these days, because of isolation and burnout, have lost access to that good.
Through her insightful analysis, Dr. Carrington explores how societal detachment occurs and outlines practical, meaningful solutions for reconnection. Her approach combines a deeper understanding of how necessary acknowledgment has become, and she underscores how this need is so much bigger than recognition. Her dynamic and heartfelt presentations, infused with humor and honesty, captivate and energize audiences worldwide.
She is the Founder and Principal Psychologist at Carrington & Company. She has served as a civilian member of Canada's national police force, the RCMP, and practiced with the most complex cases on a psychiatric inpatient unit. Dr. Jody's balance as a devoted practitioner and brilliant communicator result in an ability to authentically connect through impactful presentations that has set a new bar in talking about the shifting landscape of mental health.
Dr. Jody has authored three best-selling books, including Feeling Seen (Harper Collins, 2022) and hosts the widely celebrated podcast, "Unlonely." From major theatres and convention halls of 5,000 attendees, to boardrooms of 20 senior leaders, she revels in connecting and delighting an audience of any size, championing the profound need for genuine human connection in an era often dominated by digital communication. Her work is trusted by many of the world's Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, education and healthcare leaders, all working to solve similar core challenges in creating a new set of rules to support and motivate their teams.
Leadership: Taking the wheel in complex times
As a clinical psychologist and practitioner within various organizations, Dr. Jody Carrington believes that every successful team must have the inherent ability to repair and reconnect if they ever hope to serve their clients well. In this keynote, Jody addresses the essentials of leadership that are often overlooked – building healthy foundational relationships that foster a positive, dynamic workplace. By combining her expertise as a workplace leader and clinical psychologist, Dr. Jody motivates leaders and teams to change their team-building approach from the inside out. Bringing fresh ways of thinking to classic problems and bringing uplifting (and hilarious) stories to elevate the message, audiences leave inspired and empowered to make change..
Melina Elliot, MSc – The Menopause Practice
The Menopause Practice is a private clinic in Winnipeg dedicated to empowering women in their journey through perimenopause, menopause, and hormonal health. Founded by the expert team behind Body Measure Inc. in collaboration with Manitoba’s premier hormone specialist, Annabelle Reimer NP, The Menopause Practice provides compassionate, comprehensive care for women navigating hormonal transitions. Our clinic offers specialized services tailored to the unique needs of women aged 40-70, helping them achieve optimal health and well-being during each stage of life.
Our team is committed to providing personalized, high-quality care and wellness solutions that promote vitality, longevity, and quality of life. With a focus on individualized treatment plans, we support women with perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms, PMOS, and related health concerns. Our services are designed to holistically address physical, emotional, and hormonal health, ensuring every client feels supported and empowered.
Tipping the Scales: Weight Management and Menopause
A science-backed guide to understanding, navigating, and reclaiming your health during the mid life transition.
Jeanette Gaultier – BASF
Jeanette earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from the University of Manitoba, which led her to pursue graduate studies. After studying at the Universities of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Jeanette received her Ph.D. in Soil & Pesticide sciences also from the University of Manitoba.
She worked with the Crops Branch of Manitoba Agriculture for almost 10 years, first as the Pesticide Specialist and then and the Provincial Weed Specialist. Jeanette then joined BASF Canada as a Technical Specialist conducting field trials and providing agronomic assessments. She loves working with a variety of crops and farmers.
Jeanette lives just outside of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Manitoba with her husband and three kids, where they operate a U-Pick strawberry farm. When she’s not working, she enjoys reading, coffee and weed identification. Except grassy weed id – no one likes that!
Stephanie Staples, CSP
Stephanie Staples is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker and reWired nurse who helps people revitalize their work and life. Her engaging, high-energy programs focus on boosting well-being, strengthening relationships, and creating positive, sustainable momentum. Her message has been very well received at agriculture events, where audiences appreciate her practical tools, relatable stories, and uplifting approach. She spent 50 years in Winnipeg, 12 with her own radio show called Your Life, Unlimited on CJOB, 5 producing the monthly variety show MoMondays, and all 50 years reaping the benefits of Manitoba Agriculture! She is also the winner of the Manitoba Entrepreneur of the Year for Contributions to Community.
Revitalize Your Work & Life! - Rooted in What Matters
When your days are shaped by work that needs doing, people who depend on you and responsibilities that don’t always fit neatly into a 9-to-5 schedule, it’s easy to put your own well-being at the bottom of the list. For women in agriculture, the lines between work, home, family and life can be especially blurry - and there’s always something else that could be done.
In this uplifting, practical and humour-filled keynote, Stephanie Staples explores how to recognize when your reserves are running low, reconnect with what matters most and make small, realistic changes that help you feel more like yourself again.
Participants will leave encouraged, energized and equipped with simple tools to protect their energy, reduce the risk of burnout and create more of what they want in their work and life - without needing to add another hour to the day!
Because when we take time to nurture ourselves, we’re better equipped to nurture the people, work and communities that matter to us.
Better Together - Cultivating the Connections That Sustain Us
Farm life can offer a wonderful sense of community – but it can also be busy, demanding and, at times, surprisingly isolating. Geography, long days, changing seasons and never-ending responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain the very relationships that help sustain us.
In this interactive breakout, Stephanie explores how we can intentionally cultivate connections that encourage, support and strengthen us - both around the kitchen table and beyond the farm gate.
Through conversation, reflection and a little fun, participants will take stock of their own circle of support, discover practical ways to strengthen existing relationships, create meaningful new ones and become more comfortable both offering and receiving help.
Participants will leave reminded that we don’t have to carry everything ourselves - and that good things grow when we tend to our relationships, too.
Morag Marjerison – Ag Safety
Morag grew up in England and emigrated to Manitoba in 2004. She is a qualified workplace safety and health professional and has specialized in agricultural safety for over 25 years. Morag has also owned her own farms for much of her adult life, so understands the challenges of matching the practical day to day running of agricultural operations with implementing expected health and safety standards. She currently works for Keystone Agricultural Producers as the Farm Safety Consultant for Farm Safe Manitoba
Sherri Lund & Sherrie Volk - Will & Estate Planning
Our Estate presentation explores how Canadians can protect their families, preserve wealth, reduce taxes, and ensure their wishes are carried out through a well-structured estate plan. It goes beyond wills to address beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, trusts, tax planning, charitable giving, insurance strategies, and complex family situations such as blended families and special-needs beneficiaries.
Why this topic matters; estate planning affects everyone, yet many people have outdated plans or misunderstand the risks of poor planning. Through practical examples and real-life case studies, attendees learn how to avoid common mistakes, minimize taxes, prevent family conflict, and create a meaningful legacy.
Key takeaways:
Understand the essential elements of a comprehensive estate plan.
Learn strategies to reduce the impact of taxes on an estate.
Avoid common pitfalls involving joint ownership and beneficiary designations.
Explore how insurance can preserve estates and equalize inheritances.
Leave with a practical roadmap for protecting family, assets, and legacy.
This topic has broad appeal for attendees, offering practical, actionable guidance on one of the most important and often overlooked areas of financial planning. It combines financial education, tax awareness, and family legacy planning in a highly engaging and relevant presentation.
Kayla Gillis
Kayla Gillis is a community-minded leader with more than 19 years of experience in agriculture, finance, lending, and leadership. Based in Dauphin, Manitoba, Kayla has built her career around supporting people, businesses, and communities throughout the Parkland region.
In her professional career with RBC, Kayla has held progressive leadership roles, currently leading a hub-and-spoke banking model supporting clients and teams across the region. Her background includes agricultural lending, risk management, financial services, and people leadership, giving her a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing rural Manitoba.
Agriculture is also a significant part of Kayla’s life outside of her career. Together with her husband and brother in law, they operate a mixed farming and cattle operation, providing firsthand experience with agricultural business, rural life, and the importance of strong local communities.
Kayla is passionate about community involvement, leadership, and creating opportunities for others to grow. She has contributed to numerous community organizations and initiatives throughout the Parkland region and is committed to making a positive impact where she lives and works.
Her commitment to leadership and community has been recognized through honours including the Global Citizen Award, Community Leadership Award, and Assiniboine College’s One to Watch Award.
Kayla is passionate about the Parkland region and believes strongly in the power of collaboration, agriculture, business, and community to create meaningful opportunities for people and the region to thrive.
The Woman Behind the Farm
An honest and inspiring conversation about the realities of life as a farm woman—the strength, resilience, responsibility, and invisible load that often comes with it.
Farm women are often the ones holding everything together: the farm, the family, the business, and the people around them. But behind the strength is a woman who also needs support, rest, connection, and care.
This session challenges the idea that being strong means doing everything alone. It opens the door to honest conversations about mental health, asking for help, setting boundaries, and recognizing that personal wellbeing is not selfish—it is essential.
Through stories, reflection, and encouragement, the message is simple:
You can love your farm, your family, and the life you’ve built—and still make room for yourself.
Because the woman behind the farm matters just as much as everything she works so hard to build.
This Years Tours
Versatile
In 2026, Versatile celebrates 60 years of engineering legendary agricultural equipment built for Canadian farmers. Our factory in Winnipeg, Manitoba is home of the first mass produced articulated 4WD tractor and we continue to produce simple, reliable tractors and tillage . We are excited to host the Manitoba Farm Women's Conference guests and walk through our manufacturing process of building a tractor.
Canadian Grain Commission
Details coming soon.
Trans Canada Brewing
Details coming soon.
Harvest Manitoba
In 1985 when we started, the name Winnipeg Harvest said everything you needed to know about us. We collected and shared food inside the city limits.
Over time we grew, and in our 35th year, Harvest officially amalgamated the Manitoba Association of Food Banks into our Harvest family. We joined forces and resources to become one of the largest food distributor of its kind in Canada – and the best and only provincial food network Manitoba has ever had.
And now, our new name, Harvest Manitoba, better reflects who we serve, where we serve, and the breadth of contributions we receive.
Thanks to our amazing community spirit, and generous hearts, Harvest collects and shares 13 million pounds of healthy and nutritious food to hungry Manitobans every year.
With this food, we prepare Harvest Hampers in our Winnipeg Warehouse, which are then distributed to feed more than 50,000 Manitobans – hungry children, hardworking families and struggling adults – every month. Our volunteers donate 66,000 hours of their time annually to make this happen. We would never have lasted this long – 40 years – or helped as many people as we have if it were not for you, the people who support us.
Over the past 40 years, Harvest has grown and evolved alongside the province we serve. What started as a small effort has grown into a province-wide commitment to ensuring no neighbour goes hungry. Throughout these 40 years, the one thing that’s never changed is the support we’ve received from people across Manitoba — those who donate, volunteer, and show up when it matters most.
For all that you’ve done and will do in the future to nourish our province and sense of community, thank you Manitoba!
Peak of the Market
Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of Peak of the Market’s Distribution Centre and see how fresh produce moves from our facility to customers and communities across Manitoba.
During the tour, you’ll see our receiving and storage areas, produce handling and sorting processes, packing and distribution operations, and the equipment and systems that help us efficiently move thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables each day. You’ll also learn more about Peak of the Market, our operations, and our commitment to providing quality Manitoba-grown produce.