Manitoba

Manitoba is a comparatively level, flat land, elevations rise slowly to the south and west from sea level at Hudson Bay. The area of Manitoba is 649,950 sq. km with a land surface of 548 360 sq kms.  North to south it is 1225 km (761 m.) and the width is 449 km with a northern jut out that is 793 km wide. Water makes up 16% of the provincial land surface. Most of Manitoba lies between 150 and 300 m above sea level, but in the Turtle, Riding, Duck and Baldy mountains, heights rise to 700 m or higher. Manitoba’s highest point is Baldy Mountain at 831 m.

Agriculture has been Manitoba’s most important industries since the Selkirk settlers established the first major farming operations in 1812. Manitoba has 18.8 million acres of farm land, 13.5 million acres suitable for annual crops.  The average farm size in 2001 was 891 acres.  Canola and wheat are Manitoba’s most valuable crops. Manitoba is the largest dry bean and faba bean and buckwheat and sunflower seed in Canada.   Manitoba is also the second largest potato-producing province in Canada.  Despite the dominance of grain production, agriculture in Manitoba is more diversified than in other Prairie Provinces with increased hog production leading the way. Manitoba is Canada’s largest pig producer (more than 8.8 million head in 2005) and pig exporter (4.8 million head), and the third largest beef cattle producer. 

Cities

Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba, Canada. It is located near the Red and Assiniboine Rivers.

The name Winnipeg comes from the Western Cree words for “muddy waters”. The region was a trading centre for aboriginal peoples before the arrival of Europeans. French traders built the first fort on the site in 1738. A settlement was later founded by the Selkirk settlers in 1812, the nucleus of which was incorporated as the City of Winnipeg in 1873.

Known as the “Gateway to the West”, Winnipeg is a railway and transportation hub with a diversified economy. This multicultural city hosts numerous annual festivals, including the Festival du Voyageur, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, the Jazz Winnipeg Festival, the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, and Folklorama. Winnipeg was the first Canadian host of the Pan American Games and is home to several professional sports franchises, including the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Canadian football), the Winnipeg Jets (ice hockey), and the Winnipeg Goldeyes (baseball).

Brandon is the second-largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. The city is located along the Assiniboine River.

The city started as a major junction on the Canadian Pacific Railway, and the Assiniboine River and was then incorporated in 1882. Brandon is named after the Brandon Hills in the area, which in turn are named after a hill in James Bay. Brandon, the second largest city and service centre in Manitoba after Winnipeg, with a city population of 46,061 and 56,219 people in the metro area, is a major hub for the surrounding agricultural area. The population of its trading area is between 70,000 and 150,000 people.

Brandon’s industry reflects its agricultural history; its major industries are related to agriculture and include fertilizer and hog processing plants, as well as retail and government services for the surrounding area of Westman. Brandon is also home to the Brandon Wheat Kings. Brandon’s Army Reserve unit is the 26th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, and the Canadian warship HMCS Brandon was named after the city.

Climate

Manitoba has a moderately dry climate with sharp seasonal temperature changes. Winter temperatures of -40 °F (-40 °C) are not uncommon in any part of the province; summer days of 100 °F (38 °C) are not unusual in the southern regions.

Types of Farms Available

Manitoba Host Family Association offer grain, mixed and dairy farms.  The grain and mixed farms are 3000 acres or larger in size.  Our dairy farms also crop some of their land.