Reading Time: 2 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Manufacturers are “an order of men whose interest is never exactly the same with that of the public.” That quote is originally from the first economist, Scotland’s Adam Smith, almost 250 years ago, and is repurposed by writer Eric Schlosser in the foreword of Iowan Austin Frerick’s new book, “Barons: Money, Power, […] Read more
Opinion: The barons of the dinner table
New book pulls back the curtains on ag mercantilists
Book celebrates farmers who ‘never gave up the fight’
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Western Barley Growers Association has produced a coffee-table book on its history and how the organization, headquartered in Airdrie, has made a difference. The book, titled Western Barley’s Legacy, covers more than four decades of the group’s history, from its formation in “a small community hall in Carseland” to its efforts to “challenge the […] Read more
Opinion: The path to reconciliation can start by reading some good books
There is some excellent fiction and non-fiction that opens the door to history — and understanding
Reading Time: 3 minutes Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day meant to honour the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Many people haven’t learned the history of residential schools because it wasn’t part of school curricula until recently and was seldom […] 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
Soil scientists turned children’s authors win acclaim
Reading Time: 3 minutes Benjamin Ellert and Katelyn Lutes know a lot about soil, but knew nothing about writing children’s books. Until they wrote one. And now the two federal soil scientists can add ‘prize-winning children’s author’ to their resumés. The duo from Ag Canada’s Lethbridge research station recently won second prize in an international book contest run by […] Read more
New Alberta book aims to connect kids with their dinner
Reading Time: 2 minutes When Conny Kappler decided to write a children’s book about how food is produced, she didn’t have to look far for subject material. In fact, 90 per cent of the photos in her new book — Dirt to Dinner — come from the market garden she operates near Rolling Hills, south of Brooks. “I want […] Read more
New book details Canada’s Angus cattle history
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Breed, the Legends, the History — Canadian Angus History Book, 2019 Edition is now available for purchase. A volunteer committee spent more than 2-1/2 years gathering member histories (363 in all) and information, and then compiling the book. The 560-page full-colour book is the third history book published in the Canadian Angus Association’s 113-year […] Read more
There’s no right way to be a woman on the farm
Reading Time: 3 minutes Billi J. Miller has never been a traditional ‘farmwife’ — whatever that means anyway. And that’s just fine by her. “The term ‘farmwife’ has changed so much,” said the Lloydminster-area author. “I don’t fit into that box. And there’s comfort in knowing that there are other women like you.” In 2016, Miller published her first […] Read more
Province has a library of free books and cds
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s 2017-18 Agriculture Information Catalogue is now available. The catalogue has more than 600 free and priced books, DVDs, and CD-ROMs on a wide range of agricultural subjects, ranging from crop and livestock production to new ventures and agri-tourism. The catalogue also lists web-based materials, including decision-making tools, online videos, maps, and […] Read more
Is there a gardener on your Christmas shopping list?
The provincial Ag Department has handbooks on gardening, growing native plants, saskatoons, and weeds
Reading Time: < 1 minute Here are some Alberta Agriculture and Forestry publications for the gardener on your shopping list. Alberta Yards and Gardens ($15 plus GST) — an unbiased look at what grows best in Alberta, including ornamental trees and shrubs, small fruits and berries, flowers, vegetables, herbs and even water plants. Weed Seedling Guide ($10 plus GST) — […] Read more
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