what we do

  • We specialize in growing and supplying high-quality native seeds for the Northern Prairies, with over 20 years of experience.

  • From grasses to wildflowers, we provide seed mixes of up to 80 species, perfect for cold northern climates and large-scale restoration projects.

  • Whether you're restoring prairies, creating wildlife habitats, or starting a conservation project, we’re here to support your vision.

  • Need bulk quantities? We offer wholesale pricing and contract growing to ensure you get the seeds you need, when you need them.

  • Partner with us to bring genetic diversity and adaptability to your land, with seeds grown by experts who understand the northern landscape.

who we are

Two men standing in a garden of colorful flowers and greenery, with trees in the background, one is looking at a phone and the other at something in their hands.

john skinner

owner

Skinner family involvement in Manitoba prairie horticulture stretches back more than a century. John's interest in plants started early and naturally, growing up in a nursery with a father who was a renowned plant breeder and horticulturist. He came home to farm and to teach in 1993 - his first native crop was locally collected big bluestem. Since then, he has acquired experience growing many different warm season grasses, cool season grasses, and more recently wildflowers. This interest in wildflowers has led to local collection of over 70 species and development of seed orchards to facilitate production and collection of seed of those species.

michael skinner

Michael grew up farming with his dad John, fostering a passion for native plants that lead to him completing a Bachelor of Science degree in biology at the University of Saskatchewan and pursuing a career in field biology with Parks Canada. He worked in Grasslands National Park for five years, eventually leading the native seed program, working on seed collection, cleaning, seed sourcing, long-term storage and designing seed mixes for the creation of critical habitat for species at risk in the park. When the opportunity arose to try his hand at farming again, in 2022 he moved back to Manitoba to manage Skinner Native Seed’s Fort Ellice restoration project for Nature Conservancy Canada and to expand our wildflower seed and grass seed production to enable the use of higher diversity seed mixes across the prairies.  

restoration project manager

Craig Boychuk

Native Seed Production Technician

Craig Boychuk is a seed grower in the RM of Calder, Saskatchewan. In 2023 he launched No Coast Seeds - a small seed company focused on open pollinated varieties for short-season gardens. Breeding work is becoming the main focus of NCS, through a mix of on-farm and collaborative breeding projects and variety trials. Craig is also a part of Seed Worker Organizing, a group of seed growers in Canada and the US investing in knowledge sharing, mutual aid, and advocacy. When he’s not growing vegetable seeds Craig is working with native plants at Skinner Native Seeds where he helps to grow, collect, and process native wildflower and grass seed crops.

Gina musgrave

Native Seed Production Technician

Gina grew up on her family farm near Riding Mountain National Park, where she developed a lifelong love of nature and the outdoors. She holds an Environmental Technologies Diploma from Assiniboine College and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Geography and Environment from Brandon University.
Her experience includes five years in sustainable agronomy with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and three field seasons with Parks Canada in Resource Conservation, contributing to Species at Risk projects in RMNP.

At Skinner Native Seeds, Gina helps with seed collection and production, live plug trials, inventory, and social media. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, outdoor projects, sports, time at the lake, and spending time with family, friends, and her pets.

Jake KNox

Seasonal Farm Worker

Jake is a student from Winnipeg, Manitoba, currently studying at the University of Manitoba and pursuing a degree in Agronomy. He joined Skinner Native Seeds through the Young Agrarians work program because he enjoys working outdoors in a hands-on environment and learning how native seed production is carried out on the Prairies.

Jake plans to continue his studies at the University of Manitoba this fall, where he will further expand his agricultural knowledge, build lasting connections within the industry, and work toward his goal of becoming an agronomist.

 

Visit us at our farm!

Road 138N. Skinner Road E.
20 Miles North of Russell, MB off Highway 83.