Allan Dawson, born on February 28, 1956, is widely respected for his significant contributions to the evolution of agriculture in Canada. Throughout his esteemed career in agricultural journalism, he demonstrated an unwavering dedication to fact-based reporting and advancing the industry’s growth and development.
Growing up in the Altamont area, Allan assisted his stepfather Glenn Wilson on their Altamont farm, tending to cattle, haying and crop production. He was active in his high school in Miami, Man., winning the Midland School Division Oratorical Contest and serving as school president and valedictorian.
Allan’s journalism career began in 1980 as the farm director at CISV Radio. He freelanced for The Valley Leader and Grainews before joining the Manitoba Co-operator in April 1983. Later, he and six colleagues founded Farmers Independent Weekly which merged with the Manitoba Co-operator in 2007. He worked there until his retirement in July 2022.
Throughout his 40-year career, Allan covered diverse agricultural topics, from policy debates to production economics. His reporting style, characterized by passion, deep understanding, and fostering dialogue, guided the industry and facilitated its growth. He won the Manitoba Institute of Agrologist Journalism Award in 1993 recognition of his outstanding service in communicating about agriculture.
Active in professional organizations, Allan served as president of the North American Agricultural Journalists Association in 2022-23 and has been a member of the Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters Association for decades. His reporting garnered recognition from the North American Agricultural Journalists Association and the Canadian Farm Writers Federation.
Allan Dawson’s dedication, professionalism, and legacy as an agricultural journalist will continue to benefit future generations, documenting the industry’s evolution for years to come. His work will be best remembered for helping build awareness and understanding in the agricultural community through unbiased, detailed and well-researched reporting on complex issues affecting the industry, and those who make their living from it.