Reading Time: 3 minutes A farmer is defined by Merriam-Webster as a person who cultivates land or crops or raises animals. I find the definition too narrow as it does not portray the depth and breadth of food production. From the tiny fields where mulberry is grown to feed the silkworms and the pots of herbs on a windowsill […] Read more
Schoepp: The narrow definition of a farmer is far from the whole story
The full story of farming needs to be told more often, and we should be proud to do that
Schoepp: Does sourcing ingredients from around the world really make sense?
It’s time that consumers were offered the chance to buy truly Canadian food products
Reading Time: 3 minutes Have you ever felt betrayed when you bought a food product? I am fascinated by brand claims and food sources. One day I simply emptied the nearest cupboard to see where the food came from and what was in the manufactured products that now were scattered on the counter. The pure Atlantic Sea Salt I […] Read more
Schoepp: The pandemic brought stress but also something empowering
A lot of the burden fell on farm and ranch women, but struggle also brought a new strength
Reading Time: 3 minutes Women have multiple roles on Alberta’s farms and ranches, and navigating the pandemic has taken courage, determination, innovation and forgiving grace. I asked some of them to share their experiences. At first, the fact that the country home was remote seemed a blessing as it reduced the potential exposure to the virus. But as time […] Read more
Schoepp: Novice farmers offer a host of lessons on what is possible
Across the country, young people are following in the footsteps of the pioneers, building farms one acre at a time
Reading Time: 3 minutes The invitation came by text to attend a party at the neighbouring farm. It was simply to showcase food production and to launch the farm to the community. COVID rules were followed, but that did not dampen the spirit. Folks loved the animals and the vegetable gardens, and enjoyed the vendors who sold natural products. […] Read more
Schoepp: Growing food in space could spark big changes on Earth
Scientists are looking at how to grow food on Mars and their research could change the food sector here
Reading Time: 3 minutes “When we go to Mars, we will have to grow our own food.” Canadian physician, engineer and former astronaut Robert Thirsk made that comment when asked a question on the preservation of seed at the Canadian Beef Industry Virtual Conference in late August. Since a space vessel cannot carry enough food to fly to, and then conduct […] Read more
Schoepp: Report shines a light on the threat of chronic wasting disease
The spread of CWD needs to be halted but there’s no simple answer for addressing the problem
Reading Time: 3 minutes [UPDATED: Oct. 20, 2021] The increase in the cases of chronic wasting disease in Alberta and Saskatchewan has caught the attention of policy advisors in Ottawa. A report from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute highlighted an extreme urgency to prevent any further spread of the disease and the organization has called for a close of […] Read more
Schoepp: A solid foundation is key to resilience and can’t be neglected
This summer spoke volumes about the need for rotational grazing and regenerative practices
Reading Time: 3 minutes General Motors declared bankruptcy in June of 2009 after steadily losing money since 2005. GM’s plight has become a case study and is often used in education programs for directors on boards, but it also holds a lesson for farmers. During the time of its decline, GM was scrambling to produce a vehicle for everyone […] Read more
Schoepp: Unshakable faith and unrelenting hope in the face of adversity
Farming is full of stories of people who find ways to move ahead despite incredible challenges
Reading Time: 3 minutes James Brown is Australia’s Farmer of the Year. He and wife Sarah were selected because of their sheer determination to survive a huge market collapse, widespread disease and a flood that took them from four million growing units down to 70. Their product? Pearls. Pearl farming is an ancient practice and each seeded pearl takes […] Read more
Schoepp: The power of innovation is fuelling farms everywhere
Whether big like canola, niche like pig’s milk or unexpected like stinging nettles, there’s much to celebrate
Reading Time: 3 minutes I’ve seen and eaten some really amazing foods over the years. Cheese made from sow’s milk, rattlesnake, guinea pig, camel baked in cinnamon, insects and curious fish products. All made for memorable experiences — some that were more pleasant than others. I still cannot stomach camel or Vegemite, nor am I rushing out for grilled […] Read more
Schoepp: A promise with no timeline is not a succession play
The people in these four tales are very different but they all believed in a promise never fulfilled
Reading Time: 3 minutes There are seven days in a week and someday isn’t one of them. This popular saying could be made into a hit single — for farm succession. A man I’ll call Rick is in his mid-60s and still ranching on the same land his grandfather homesteaded. And while that might sound ideal, he has no […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
