Watching grass grow might not be the most exciting way to kick off a meeting, says General Manager of DSV Northstar, Rob Wolfe, but that’s the foundation of the company that now has a presence across the world. Wolfe was the keynote speaker for this year’s Annual General Meeting for the Neepawa and District Chamber of Commerce.

Wolfe gave a bit of a historical view of the company, which started back in 1982 with eight partners from around Manitoba who had just one thing in common - the then-revolutionary practice of using leafcutter bees to pollinate their alfalfa. The bees are still a part of their business but they have expanded far beyond that over the past forty years. Last year the company was acquired by German company DSV, but Northstar Seed - now known as Northstar DSV - has always been and remains a Neepawa success story.

Following the speaker, the Chamber presented its annual Business of the Year Award to Dr. Liz Ostendorf representing the Neepawa Veterinary Clinic. The award looks at innovation, customer service, and professional development when selecting its winner, and the Neepawa Vet Clinic demonstrated a commitment to all of those as well as providing a critical service to an agricultural region.

This year is the 123rd annual Neepawa and District Chamber of Commerce AGM, and the first to be held in person since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. President Kerry MacPherson shared some of the highlights of the year, including the Chamber Fair, Business After Five events, and the Parade of Lights, before handing it over to Director Pam Miller to present the financial report. The Chamber has had a more successful year than anticipated, as this year’s budget did not account for being able to hold their annual fair this past May.

The formal program concluded with the election of this year’s directors, who were given the oath of office by Mayor Brian Hedley. Says Mayor Hedley of the successes and growth demonstrated by the town not just over the course of the meeting but over the past few years, “What an exciting time to be living in Neepawa or running a business in Neepawa.”