Reading Time: < 1 minute The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is trying to figure out what has gone wrong with a key component of its newly launched GOES-17 weather satellite. The satellite has a high-resolution camera called the Advanced Baseline Imager that monitors things such as cloud formation, ocean dynamics, and vegetative growth. But the cooling system that is […] Read more
Camera on new weather satellite has a glitch
Get more out of your riparian areas
Workshops offered for assessing the health, benefits, and potential uses of the water on your property
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farmers, ranchers, and acreage owners with a riparian area can learn how to maximize the benefits these areas provide to their operations and surrounding watersheds at a two-day workshop being held at several locations this summer. The workshops will cover how to assess the health, benefits, and potential uses of natural water on a property. […] Read more
Is it true Daddy? The sad truth about gender equality
Whether it’s pay, discounts on farm supplies, or career advancement, women are not equal with men
Reading Time: 3 minutes A little girl asks her father, ‘Daddy is it true I am worth less than my brother? Is it true that he will earn more than me, get better deals, and have easier access to money even if I am educated? Why?’ When a little girl is born with all her beauty and possibilities, she […] Read more
The jobs are waiting for ag program graduates
Enrolment has soared in the past decade — and so has the number of unfilled jobs in the agriculture sector
Reading Time: 5 minutes A career in agriculture just wasn’t an option for Julie Mitchell when she was growing up. Or at least that’s what she thought. “I was really passionate about agriculture, but I didn’t think you could have a career in ag beyond being a farmer,” said Mitchell, who grew up on a cattle operation in Manitoba. […] Read more
Trip to Ethiopia eye opening for Fort Saskatchewan siblings
Reading Time: 4 minutes Many farmers and Albertans support the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, but few have seen the impact that their donations make. Keith and Jacilyn Goutbeck have — and won’t soon forget what they encountered on a learning tour to Ethiopia at the end of January. The siblings visited individual families in communities that had received Foodgrains Bank […] Read more
Tips for selling at farmers’ markets
Reading Time: < 1 minute Explore Local has produced a series of short videos on selling at farmers’ markets. This series features Jenny Berkenbosch of Sundog Organic Farm. Berkenbosch shares what she has learned over the years on seven topics: creating an image; booth setup; product labelling; signs and signage; salesmanship; presentation; and creating a memorable shopping experience. The videos […] Read more
In summer, Mother Nature starts cooking up thunderstorms
Thunderstorms are one of the most fascinating weather events and it helps to know how they’re made
Reading Time: 4 minutes As spring begins to transition into summer, I like to revisit what I find to be one of the most interesting weather topics — thunderstorms. As temperatures begin to climb and moisture (hopefully) begins to flow northwards, the ingredients come together to develop thunderstorms. So far this year we haven’t seen much thunderstorm activity, but as […] Read more
Concerned about a gravel pit in your area?
Reading Time: < 1 minute A new booklet from the Farmers’ Advocate Office explains how gravel pits are regulated by the province and the role of the local municipality. “Lately, we have seen an increase in calls from people who want to understand how they can mitigate impacts from a gravel pit that has been proposed in their area,” said […] Read more
Subsidy available for student employees working on farms
Reading Time: < 1 minute Are you a full-time farmer and thinking about hiring a student this summer? The Summer Farm Employment Program provides wage support of up to $500 per month for July and August for youth aged 16 to 24 (as of July 1). The work must be directly related to the farming operation, and safety training and […] Read more
You’ve got more (landscaping) choices than you think
Many imported trees and shrubs can do well here and mixing them with native species adds diversity
Reading Time: 2 minutes Diverse species of trees and shrubs contribute to the health, function, and beauty of your property, says the province’s agroforestry and bioenergy specialist. “A variety of tree and shrub species can be found in Alberta’s urban and rural areas including ones that, in theory, should not be grown here at all due to our harsh […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
