Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s one of the hottest silent auctions in Bonnyville — who will win the Silver Shovel? Every spring for 20 years, bidders have turned out in the community to win a chance to support the local Canadian Foodgrains Bank Northeast Growing Project. With a bid of $3,200, this year’s winners are four local churches: The […] Read more
‘Winning’ the Silver Shovel is a giving tradition in Bonnyville
Feta puts small Alberta company on the artisanal cheese map
Tiras Dairies brings home a win in the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix
Reading Time: 2 minutes The staff at Tiras Dairies in Camrose has a reason to celebrate. The small plant, which has just eight staff, now ranks up there with the top cheese makers in the country. Plant manager Olga Payne attended the national gala in Toronto last month and came home with the top prize in the brine-ripened category […] Read more
Mother-daughter duo a fixture at Calgary Stampede’s Aggie Days
Reading Time: 2 minutes Danielle Lee hasn’t missed a Calgary Stampede’s Aggie Days yet. Her mom, Debbie Lee, brought her newborn daughter — along with some Jersey calves — to the very first Aggie Days 30 years ago. Debbie also led the cow-milking demonstrations, which both Lee women still do today. What’s changed is the kind of questions that […] Read more
The tradition continues for famous Innisfail rodeo family
20-year-old cowgirl credits father as her mentor, a former pro calf roper
Reading Time: 3 minutes Growing up with the last name Daines in the town of Innisfail leaves a person with big boots to fill. With legends like Jack, Ivan, and Duane Daines (just to name a few) on your family tree, there is little doubt that a passion for agriculture and rodeo should run in your blood. That’s certainly […] Read more
Big Valley rodeo family inspires each other to greatness
Young rodeo champ rides 'Lunatic from Hell' in Houston and comes out on top
Reading Time: 3 minutes There was surprise and delight on the Canadian rodeo scene, when young bronc rider Zeke Thurston rode all the way to the championship and the $50,000 bonus at RodeoHouston last month. Likely one of the least surprised about the whole deal, though, was Zeke’s mother Lynda. “I had a good feeling in my gut the […] Read more
RCMP livestock investigator hangs up his hat — but not his spurs
"It’s hit and miss sometimes, looking for people’s cattle, but there’s nothing better than finding a guy who has stolen some cattle and putting him behind bars.” – Corporal Dave Heaslip
Reading Time: 2 minutes Cpl. Dave Heaslip will be hanging up his red serge coat and putting away his tall, dark boots — but he doesn’t plan to give up his horses. And when he retires April 2, his 45 years and 192 days of service will make him one of the longest-serving members in RCMP history. But the […] Read more
Inspirational Nanton farmer urges others to be all that they can be
Reading Time: 3 minutes The first thing you notice about Chris Koch is that he had no arms or legs. But what you remember after meeting him is his joyous grin, and the three words that sum up his approach to life: If I Can. Thanks to Oprah Winfrey, Koch is a YouTube sensation and he’d just come back […] Read more
A tradition of growing — and giving — in central Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes Giving up a quarter section of land isn’t a great way to make money farming — but Dirk Drost didn’t hesitate when he heard the Canadian Foodgrains Bank was looking for land for a growing project in his area. “You hear about people who don’t have anything to eat, and we figured we could help […] Read more
Alberta’s first bean grower honoured with inaugural industry innovator award
Reading Time: 2 minutes The man who first introduced dry beans to Alberta has been recognized as an industry innovator by the very organization he helped form 25 years ago. Idaho farmer Lud Prudek received the inaugural Alberta Pulse Industry Innovator Award at the Alberta Pulse Growers’ recent annual general meeting. “We invited nominations for individuals and organizations that […] Read more
Rural leadership pilot project looking for participants
Registration deadline Feb. 18
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Inspiring Rural Leadership pilot project is looking for participants. “At some point in everyone’s life –— whether it’s in the workplace, the community, or a family setting — we’re called upon to be a leader,” said Shari Hanson, leadership specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “The Inspiring Rural Leadership program aims to help […] Read more
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