You need to see this film about life on a southern Manitoba farm
Morning from the Valley — here's what's growing in Winkler-Morden.
Listen, sometimes the biggest stories aren't the ones screaming from the headlines, but the quiet ones that remind you of where we come from. There's an award-winning documentary making the rounds called *Agatha's Almanac* and it’s about a 92-year-old woman, Agatha Bock, living and working on her ancestral farm in southern Manitoba. It’s directed by her niece, Amalie Atkins, and it really captures the soul of rural life here. When I heard about it, my mind immediately went to the Pembina Threshermen's Museum, and how important it is to remember the roots of our agricultural success along the Highway 3 corridor.
This isn't just some dusty old film; it’s a beautiful, textured look at a life that shaped our entire region. It makes you think about all the families, often Low German-speaking, who built this area, tilling the land from Altona to Morden. It's the kind of story that resonates deep in Winkler-Morden because it mirrors the hard work and dedication that still drives our community today, from the fields surrounding the city to the factory floors of Friesen Corporation and Decor Cabinets.
### Why This Matters for Us
* **Honouring Our Roots:** It's a powerful reminder of the agricultural heritage that underpins our modern growth. * **Cultural Preservation:** This documentary helps preserve a way of life that, while changing, is still very much alive in the Valley. * **Community Pride:** Seeing stories like Agatha's recognized nationally builds pride in our unique southern Manitoba identity.
Morden and Winkler didn't just appear overnight. Our growth, including Morden's impressive 14.5% population increase in five years, is built on the foundations laid by people like Agatha. This film is a chance to reflect on that legacy and appreciate the resilience that continues to make the Pembina Valley a national model for rural growth and newcomer integration. It's about remembering where we came from as we continue to build for the future.
Corinne Dueck, MiTL Sports Desk.
The folks on *Valley Voice* mornings at Radio 730 will be talking about this one – get your take in at mornings.live.