Reading Time: < 1 minute They claimed they were going for a Guinness world record, but it was all just in fun — which was a good thing considering the results. Organizers of the recent Farming Smarter conference urged attendees to set a record for ‘hand-threshing’ wheat in 60 seconds. The exercise was eye-opening: This group rubbing the chaff off […] Read more
Fortunately there’s a better way to thresh
A century on, ‘home ec’ remains as vital as ever
Reading Time: 4 minutes While much has changed in the last century, the study of home and family life remains relevant. This year, the University of Alberta marked the centennial of the founding of the Department of Household Economics. “There aren’t a lot of programs at the U of A that have been around for 100 years, so it […] Read more
Alberta mare tops them all at the World Clydesdale Show
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s considered the equivalent of the Stanley Cup for Clydesdales — and one Alberta farm family has won the honour. Willow Way Farms grabbed the title of Supreme Champion when its mare, Puzzle, was awarded the prize at the World Clydesdale Show, in Madison, Wis. “It was something that a guy always thinks about — […] Read more
The need is great — and so is this farmer’s generosity
Desire to give back results in the Alberta Farm to Food Bank
Reading Time: 3 minutes Steve Breum was looking for a way to expand his vegetable operation and give back to the community at the same time when he decided to start growing fresh produce for food banks. “We’re in a recession here, and people don’t have the money for food. These food banks need donations,” said Breum, owner of […] Read more
Stick with 4-H — and dream big, says scholarship winner
Reading Time: 3 minutes Emma Kaliel never dreamed that someday she’d be an engineer. And she’s not — not yet — but one day she will be, thanks in part to 4-H Canada. “I have a lot to thank 4-H for,” said Kaliel, a member of the Double Diamond 4-H Multi Club in Westlock County. “When you stick with […] Read more
Conservation deal ‘the right thing to do’ for historic ranch
Reading Time: 4 minutes When Edith Wearmouth thought of all the reasons why she loved the land her family has farmed for 113 years, it made sense to put part of it into a conservation easement. “When I was growing up here, I took a lot of things for granted — the creeks and the hills and that sort […] Read more
Take me out to the wide-open prairie (and a ball game, too)
Reading Time: 4 minutes Quick — what tops a trip to Niagara Falls or taking in a Blue Jays game on a nice summer day? Full points if you answered, ‘Seeing how the Prairies was laid out in one-mile square blocks.’ That was, indeed, one of the highlights for nine members of Ontario’s Hastings County 4-H Exchange Club when […] Read more
Growing projects are a great way to reach out to millennials
Reading Time: 2 minutes Mikaela Lemay didn’t just want to help people in developing countries when she got involved with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. She wanted to help Canadian consumers too. “So much of the fear of agriculture is emotion based, so I thought it would be good to counteract that with positivity,” said the three Hills-area agronomist. “By […] Read more
It’s not the patter, but the passion, for auctioneering ‘rock star’
Reading Time: 4 minutes He’s a natural. People are drawn to passions they seem to have an inborn inclination towards. With a little drive and determination, they can take an ability that comes easily and turn it into something special. Fellow auctioneers talk about Ryan Konynenbelt that way. The talented talker uses his skills on a daily basis at […] Read more
Sustainable beef will become the new standard for producers worldwide
Reading Time: 3 minutes Carmen White, 15, of Claresholm was the junior winner in the Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture competition at the Calgary Stampede. Her topic was: What is sustainability and why does it matter to Canadian agriculture? Canadian agriculture is constantly evolving to meet the needs of society. Beef producers, like myself and my family, have a […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
