A former agriculture minister is returning to his old job in Premier Wab Kinew’s new NDP government in Manitoba.

Kinew’s cabinet was unveiled and sworn in this morning, with Ron Kostyshyn returning to the ag minister role that he held from 2012 to 2016.

Having won the Dauphin riding in the election earlier this month, Kostyshyn is the NDP MLA with the largest agricultural presence in their caucus.

The minister’s experience includes running a family farm and cow/calf operation, and several decades in municipal politics.

He was first elected to the provincial legislature for the riding of Swan River in 2011, and was defeated by his Progressive Conservative opponent in 2016.

Kostyshyn has also served on multiple boards, including the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, Manitoba Conservation Commission, Intermountain Conservation District, Ethelbert District Veterinary Board, Farm Stewardship Association of Manitoba, and the Ethelbert Curling Club and Skating Rink.