On the Farm: Amy and Kevin Leitch take an old-fashioned approach to their venture but also embrace renewable energy
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. — Kevin and Amy Leitch take sustainability seriously on their west-central Alberta farm. Some of their practices are the old-fashioned approach of running a mixed farm and producing most of their own food, as well as adopting renewable energy technology. They have made their new house energy efficient and use solar […] Read moreFarm Living — page 2
Be careful when helping neighbours whose spouses die
Q: A few days ago, our neighbour’s husband died. It was not entirely unexpected because he had been ill for some time, but it was still difficult for my neighbour. I would like to reach out to her but I am a touch reluctant to do so. We are new to the district. We left […] Read more
Cellphone outrage grows in Manitoba
Most of the province’s farmers say their service is poor and is getting worse; increased safety risks have been identified
The death of a man in the Rural Municipality of Alonsa, Man., in an Aug. 3 tornado has highlighted simmering anger among farmers and rural people over what they believe is worsening cellphone service in many areas. Jack Furrie, 77, died when the EF-4 tornado hit his rural home. Since “upgrades” to local cell towers […] Read more
Former bull rider finds farrier career
On the Farm Laurie Tonita says 90 percent of success farrier is showing up on time and being friendly
SASKATOON — Laurie Tonita has a dust allergy to thank for a rewarding 34-year career as a farrier. Tonita moved to Saskatoon from his home town of Assiniboia, Sask., after graduating high school to take a cabinet-making course. After a year of working as a cabinet maker he discovered he was allergic to oak dust […] Read more
Kluane National Park is bold, big and easy to visit
Everything about Kluane National Park is big. It sprawls across southwestern Yukon, is home to the world’s largest ice fields outside the polar regions and has glaciers, wild rivers and wildlife galore. It encompasses 17 of Canada’s 20 tallest mountains, including the imposing Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak at 5,959 metres. The natural features are […] Read more
Jazz up summer with an ice cream sundae party
Summertime, or any time, is ice cream time. My father’s favourite treat was a banana split from the soft ice cream palace in town. Any sundae would do, but a banana split was nirvana. I don’t often indulge at home but why shouldn’t I? The toppings are so easy to make and taste so much […] Read more
Self-efficacy may be a better goal than self-esteem
Q: I don’t know how many times I have been told that life would be more enjoyable for me if I took some time to raise my self-esteem. I got that advice all the way through high school, from various professors at university and from my colleagues at work. It is not that I don’t […] Read more
Appetite for destruction: Soy boom devours Brazil’s tropical savanna
CAMPOS LINDOS, Brazil, (Reuters) – When farmer Julimar Pansera purchased land in Brazil’s interior seven years ago, it was blanketed in tiers of fruit trees, twisted shrubs and the occasional palm standing tall in a thicket of undergrowth. He mowed down most of that vegetation, set it ablaze and started planting soybeans. Over the past […] Read more
General Mills changing Nature Valley labels after lawsuit’s pesticide claim
General Mills Inc agreed to stop calling the oats in its Nature Valley granola bars 100 percent natural to settle a lawsuit by three consumer groups that said the bars contained small amounts of the pesticide commonly known as Roundup. Beyond Pesticides, Moms Across America and the Organic Consumers Association on Thursday said the settlement […] Read more
Breakfast on a Dairy Farm a big hit
The three events held across Alberta every year educate the public about the milk industry and those who work in it
FORT MACLEOD, Alta. — Breakfast on a Dairy Farm, as promoted by Alberta Milk, became Breakfast in a Dairy Barn at Airport Dairy Aug. 11 when a tent didn’t co-operate after collapsing in a gust of wind before the event began. About 1,100 people didn’t seem to mind eating their breakfast instead within arm’s length […] Read more
MEMBERSHIP