Fred Tait has devoted his life to advocating for a healthy environment, thriving rural communities and sustainable farming throughout Manitoba and across Canada. Fred has lived experience, having come from a farm family and continuing that tradition himself.

Fred was born on February 20, 1942 at the Portage La Prairie hospital. His parents, Norman and Margaret Tait, brought up Fred and his 2 younger brothers on a small farm near Rossendale, Manitoba. Fred describes it as a subsistence farm where the cattle, pigs, and chickens raised along with crops grown, fed the family. Fred attended a one room schoolhouse in Rossendale from kindergarten to grade 8 and then attended the high school there for grades 9 and 10. He had to leave school and take over the farm when he was only 15 years old because his father became critically ill.

Fred and his wife Sandra have lived on their own farm in Rossendale since 1968. They raised two sons there while managing a small herd of cattle. Fred cleared 2/3 of the quarter they owned but left the final third in its natural state. For several decades Fred augmented the farm income by working off the farm.

In 1999, after retiring from off farm work, Fred purchased some land along the banks of the Assiniboine River and conducted some managed forestry there, after purchasing a Wood-Mizer Sawmill.

All the while Fred was farming to support his family, he also became very involved in advocating, starting with focusing on issues of conservation and respectful stewardship of the land. He has always promoted the use of both agricultural and non-agricultural land as resources that can be used but not exploited. In the 1970s he was instrumental in having 7 wildlife management areas created, one of which allowed the creation of the Bittersweet Cross Country Ski Club. He has served as a director for the Manitoba Wildlife Federation for two separate terms.

Fred joined the National Farmers Union in 1983 and has held various positions including being a Manitoba Coordinator and the National Vice President for several years. He has always worked to give voice to agricultural producers. One of his strongest appeals has been the goal to retain wealth at the community level. He worked strenuously to protect the farmers’ and the publics’ interests in Canada’s seed regulations.

Fred’s work on behalf of farmers has included many aspects of agricultural policy including stopping the introduction of genetically modified (GMO) grain, defending the Canadian Wheat board, fighting for independent hog producers, and advancing the interests of cattle farmers.

Through all this work, Fred has maintained a focus on preserving the health of rural communities and farm families.

Fred’s intelligent and well-informed advocacy led to him being invited to join the board of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. He has helped to write a number of policy papers aimed at promoting progressive, inclusive, and just agricultural practices. Fred has contributed immeasurably to important discussions about the future of agriculture and how to ensure a healthy, sustainable life for farmers and all rural residents.