Reading Time: 4 minutes If Alberta’s malt barley can be transformed into craft beer and its rye into premium whisky, why not field peas? That’s the question that Faaiza Ramji asked herself early in the pandemic as she explored ways to use more Alberta-grown crops in locally processed foods and drinks. “I was disappointed to learn that we grow […] Read more
Field peas are the latest Alberta crop to be distilled into a spirit
Former nurse finds joy in her blossoming flower business
Reading Time: 3 minutes Emergency room nurse Sarah Schultz has hung up her scrubs — and picked up a garden apron and a trowel. “About six years ago, I happened across a flower farm on Instagram — I had never seen a dahlia before,” said Schultz, who lives on a grain operation near Strathmore with husband Jay and their […] Read more
Rancher goes from ‘naive’ novice to Alberta’s Outstanding Young Farmer
Reading Time: 4 minutes Ten years ago, Alberta’s newest Outstanding Young Farmer wasn’t even a farmer. He was a lot of other things — an engineer; an environmentalist; a former vegetarian — but although he had family who ranched, Ben Campbell was never a farm kid, and never really thought he would be. But when he learned about the […] Read more
Children’s book brings alive once-famous Alberta trick roper
Reading Time: 2 minutes The creators of a book about legendary Black cowboy John Ware have released a second title in their ‘Howdy Books’ children’s book series that aims to highlight Alberta’s pioneers. Howdy, I’m Flores LaDue tells the story of Flores LaDue (1883-1951), a world champion trick roper and co-founder of the Calgary Stampede. “For too long, Flores […] Read more
Volunteers rally to the cause during pandemic pause
Reading Time: 3 minutes Refocus. Rebuild. Strengthen partnerships. That was the mantra of the Vermilion Agricultural Society as it navigated the pandemic. The first year, the society hosted a fireworks display, there were a few equine clinics and a whole bunch of quiet times. Faced with the same prospect in 2021, the society decided it was a good time […] Read more
Alberta ag societies aiming to ‘get the summer off the ground’
Reading Time: 4 minutes The past two years have been challenging for everyone, including Alberta’s agricultural societies. But many are now gearing up for an active summer. “They’re very hopeful that summer will be open and without restrictions,” said Tim Carson, CEO of the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies. “The mood is quite positive. For the most part, everybody […] Read more
Photography book of old grain elevators a labour of love nearly two decades in the making
Reading Time: 4 minutes Wooden grain elevators occupy a special place in the hearts of many, but rural folk aren’t the only ones for whom these structures carry an irresistible appeal. Chris Attrell, a born-and-raised urbanite, got bit by the elevator bug in 2003 — the day the grain elevators in the southern Alberta town of Champion came down. […] Read more
Producer finds his way into farming through backyards in the big city
Reading Time: 4 minutes Reclaim Organics is a farm with an unusual trajectory — it’s moved several times and has existed in both the city and the country. Owner Ryan Mason grew up on a broiler breeder and grain farm near Pigeon Lake, but farming wasn’t his career goal when he headed to university. “I had no intention of […] Read more
Peace Country group moves a mountain of vegetables to feed the hungry
Reading Time: 3 minutes They’re a small but mighty group based up in the Peace. Last year, the Peace Country Gleaners grew, harvested and dehydrated about 700,000 pounds of vegetables, which were made into a soup mix distributed to organizations feeding the poor both in Canada and abroad. “We had 11 acres of carrots and 11 acres of beets […] Read more
Tech savvy urban kids wanted
Reading Time: < 1 minute A $100,000 donation from “serial ag entrepreneur” Robert Saik will be used to create two new scholarships at Olds College. Beginning in 2023, two students from urban locations enrolled in the college’s Agriculture Technology programs will receive $2,500 scholarships. Saik, CEO of AGvisorPRO, said he strongly supports the college’s efforts to train students in advanced […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
