Reading Time: 3 minutes Cassidy Marcotte knows horses, operates a cow-calf operation with her fiancé, and has taken basic animal science. But it was a little overwhelming when the University of Alberta student was given $10 million to start a broiler operation. “I know a lot about beef but I knew nothing about chickens starting this project,” said Marcotte, […] Read more
Better than bitcoin? Students (sort of) make millions from farming
Conservation program has lots of love — but not as much money
Reading Time: 3 minutes [UPDATED: April 20, 2019] An innovative ecosystem services program has grown at “lightning pace” in Alberta over the past three years — but future growth could be limited if ALUS Canada can’t attract additional funds. “We have a waiting list of new communities that would like to join the program, but right now our largest […] Read more
Animal welfare advocates honoured
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Farmer columnist Brenda Schoepp and beef producer Stacey Simpson are the recipients of the Alberta Farm Animal Care’s awards of distinction for 2019. The awards recognize individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions in the field of livestock welfare, and who champion best practices and innovative ideas. Schoepp received the award for communication […] Read more
New type of school offers fresh air and fresh thinking
Reading Time: 3 minutes Every day for the past six years, Lindsey Morrison’s son has asked her, ‘Mommy, do I have to go to school today?’ “I started to think of school as a jail sentence for him,” said the Airdrie-area mother. “For him, it’s just not a good fit for how he learns. It’s not a good fit […] Read more
Closing the loop: Food waste gets gobbled up on farms
Chickens eat sushi while washing it down with non-alcoholic beer
Reading Time: 3 minutes Sushi, sandwiches, broccoli, yogurt, and non-alcoholic beer. Sounds like things you might eat when in fact, it’s what I feed my chickens. Yes, you read that right. My chickens eat sushi and drink non-alcoholic beer on occasion. It’s all thanks to a program called The Loop and a local grocery store chain, Save-On-Foods. The Loop […] Read more
East-central Alberta couple named Outstanding Young Farmers
Reading Time: 3 minutes This year’s Outstanding Young Farmers weren’t expecting a win when they were nominated alongside three other Alberta farm families at the Outstanding Young Farmers’ regional event in early February. “In the beginning, we didn’t think we were anything too special. We just do what we do,” said Natasha Pospisil, who owns and operates three agricultural […] Read more
New blockchain beer tells the farm-to-glass story
Reading Time: 3 minutes The road from field to glass is a long one for the malt barley that goes in your beer. And now you can join it on its journey, thanks to a new blockchain beer made, malted, and brewed in Alberta. “The whole idea was to track the farm-to-glass story,” said Natasha Peiskar, head brewer at […] Read more
Step-by-step stewardship a winner at Coulee Crest Farm
Reading Time: 4 minutes Randy Radau’s philosophy has been to make one or two environmental improvements at his place every year. This approach has proved fruitful for the rancher and grain grower, who runs a mixed farm with wife Sandra and son Luke, the recipients of the 2019 Alberta Beef Producers Environmental Stewardship Award. “We haven’t done anything really […] Read more
Hemp growers making a big difference half a world away
Reading Time: 3 minutes James Thiessen has been growing hemp for eight years, but this past year he did something different — gave part of his harvest away. The organic hemp grower from La Crete was approached by Hemp Production Services to join the Two Acre Challenge and was happy to participate. “I like it because Hemp Production Services […] Read more
Working together is the recipe for creating a great community
Reading Time: 4 minutes Trying to ensure that your rural community survives is an actual skill. It takes work to prevent a great little town out in the sticks from turning into a ghost town. “It’s really about the people and how optimistic and enthusiastic they are and how well they work together,” said Dee Ann Benard, executive director […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
