Reading Time: < 1 minute More than 80 farms, ag-tourism operations and other enterprises welcomed visitors during Alberta Open Farm Days earlier this month, including Sturgeon River Stock Farm. The Onoway-area farm had a variety of offerings including equipment and 4-H displays along with old-fashioned ice cream making. But as usual, it was the two-footed and four-footed farm residents that […] Read more
Open Farm Days same, but different
Getting to know each other
Reading Time: < 1 minute Barr Estate Winery near Sherwood Park has been producing fruit wines since 2009, but the farm’s cattle were the big draw for the younger set during this year’s edition of Alberta Open Farm Days. Despite the pandemic, more than 80 farms and other ag enterprises participated this year, giving visitors a welcome break during a […] Read more
New-style pioneer: Edmonton native finds a way to be a farmer
Reading Time: 4 minutes Welder, farmer, Nuffield Scholar, haskap champion… these are a few of Andrew Rosychuk’s titles. The Edmonton native had dreams of farming but got a reality check while studying horticulture at Olds College and learning what it cost to start a farm. “I quickly learned that you need money to make money,” he said. So he […] Read more
Alberta companies join Black Lives Matter beer fundraiser
Reading Time: 4 minutes Bringing people together over a beer. That’s the goal of several businesses from across central Alberta that have joined forces to create a fundraiser beer to support the Black Lives Matter movement. “Beer is a great equalizer. You can break down a lot of barriers just by sitting down and having a beer with someone,” […] Read more
Farewell, fairs: Alberta’s ag societies struggling during pandemic
Reading Time: 4 minutes The buildings are empty. The crowds are gone. Alberta’s ag societies are facing a summer like no other — and some may not survive it. “Our groups are based on gathering people, and they’re not able to do any of that, which is a big concern,” said Tim Carson, chief executive officer of the Alberta […] Read more
It’s the people who make Alberta’s cattle sector great, says industry veteran
Reading Time: 4 minutes Rich Smith still remembers the day that the bottom fell out of the cattle market. It was the fall of 2008, and Smith was presenting at an annual Alberta Beef Producers meeting at a local auction mart. Behind him was a sign displaying the dismally low price of the afternoon’s last sale. “I’m standing there […] Read more
Life on the ranch during COVID-19
Reading Time: 4 minutes The COVID pandemic has altered our semi-retirement plans. Many of our retired friends and family are trying to find meaningful ways of spending their time. Some are relieved that they will be able to golf in a socially distanced way. Here on the ranch we’re not searching for meaning. We seem to be filling important […] Read more
There’s never been a better time to spruce up your town
Reading Time: 3 minutes Could there be a better time to brighten up your town or hamlet with floral displays, some landscaping, and a bit of tidying up? Organizers of Communities in Bloom say now is the perfect time — and not just because everyone could use a lift during these gloomy times. “The program is ripe for this […] Read more
The need is greater than ever — and the volunteer spirit even stronger
Reading Time: 3 minutes COVID-19 has stopped many things, but not the volunteers of Canadian Foodgrains Bank growing projects. In Kneehill County, the Linden-Acme Foodgrains Growing Project will be planting its 17th crop — this year, it will be barley for silage, said Earl Jeninga, manager at Kneehill Soil Services. Anywhere from 30 to 40 people volunteer each year […] Read more
‘Learn to do by doing’ sums up 4-H pandemic response
Reading Time: 3 minutes Like many other agricultural groups, 4-H clubs have had to adapt to life under COVID-19. “When they first closed everything down, we said we were going to finish the year, no matter what, and every kid’s steer was going to get sold, no matter what,” said Murray Skippen, general leader of the Fort Saskatchewan 4-H […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
