Reading Time: 4 minutes My son gifts me a subscription to a Quebec-based cuisine magazine entitled Ricardo. The last issue had a little sidebar that read, “If you calculate the time elapsed from the moment seeds are sown, the festive meal takes an average of 295 days to land on our tables.” When you think about great meals in […] Read more
Every item of the feast has a great story behind it
When the table is set, give thanks to those who grew and processed the food — and all those who played a role in its history
Making room for youth — and youthful thinking — in farming
Young farmers love technology and are excited by change, but they’re often penned in by the walls of tradition
Reading Time: 4 minutes Farmers often lament the lack of youth in agriculture. I would argue that this is not true — there are a lot more baby strollers than walkers at major agricultural conferences, especially ones where technology is highlighted. There may be fewer young farmers, but the young men and women farming today have a broader reach […] Read more
New version of ag business analyzer now available
The online tool can be used to measure a farm’s financial health and identify problem areas
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s Agricultural Business Analyzer has recently been upgraded, and user support has been enhanced with a user video tutorial, frequently asked questions, and Microsoft Excel program user tips. The online tool is free and powerful, said farm financial specialist Rick Dehod. “The program can help analyze the financial strength of a farm […] Read more
Making an old farm new again — sometimes without a playbook
The weeds were abundant and the pastures were tired, but we had faith that a turnaround was possible
Reading Time: 4 minutes The children had a book entitled Old Farm, New Farm that we just loved. It was the story of the rejuvenation of a farm — something that we did as a family. Never afraid of a challenge, I’ve purchased several farms to make new again. It was a great way to contribute to the world […] Read more
Dancing with Mother Nature and leaving a legacy of sustainability
Being sustainable means focusing on a triple bottom line — the people, the land and the business
Reading Time: 3 minutes My husband John and I have always been drawn to the land. He is a third-generation rancher here in Canada; I grew up on my parents’ small mixed farm. I am a microbiologist by trade and a rancher by inclination. John and I possess a strong land ethic as well as a keen ecological awareness; […] Read more
Province offering ‘how to be a farmer’ seminar
Want to be a farmer?
Reading Time: < 1 minute AARD release – “If you’re thinking of getting into farming but aren’t sure where to start, this session is ideal for you,” said Abby Verstraete, a farm business analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Getting into Farming – Information Session for the Aspiring Farmer will be held in Airdrie on Oct. 30. It will provide […] Read more
Women in agriculture bank on change
Straight From the Hip: Give women a fair shake and agricultural production will increase
Reading Time: 3 minutes There has been a global failure to improve infrastructure and address policy to enable women to access the same level of education, technology, credit, and land ownership. In many countries I have seen how this has left farming women unprepared for the current and future increases in input costs and challenges in marketing. Women farmers […] Read more
Land rent realities for 2014
Rental rates started an upward trend in early 2008, and peaked in 2013
Reading Time: 3 minutes The year 2014 could prove to be a tumultuous one for cropland rental rates. The fact that rental rates will likely soften should not be a surprise. Cropland rents are a function of productivity and price for the most part. Other factors that play a minor role include proximity to the tenant’s existing operation, field […] Read more
Team players do their best to support others in times of need
Straight from the hip: Helping a young farmer work through a hypothetical disaster shows the value of having a committed and engaged network
Reading Time: 3 minutes Not all of us are all star players. I love basketball and although a decent shot, I am far from the star of the team. In setting up the person to make the shot, I always had to ask myself: Where should I be when I don’t have the ball? In agriculture, we are often […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
