FORT MACLEOD, Alta. – After 1,500 kilometres of variable weather and a feeling his bones were as creaky as his wagon’s wheels, Jim Baldock is ready for his next adventure. He has to find his camper trailer left behind in Medicine Hat, Alta., after it broke down on the journey west to Fort Macleod to […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Abandonment halted until fall
An agreement by Canada’s national railways to hold off on further branch-line abandonment is seen as a positive move by the Western Rail Coalition. The moratorium will hold until a report is issued by Arthur Kroeger. He was appointed to find ways to move forward grain transportation returns recommended by justice Willard Estey earlier this […] Read more
Every day is a good hair day
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. – When master spinner Joanna Head sees fibre lying around a buffalo paddock, she can’t help herself. She is constantly gathering pieces of hair and fluff that the animals shed in the pasture. She then settles down in her workshop to pick out the finest fibre to spin and weave. “You […] Read more
Two successful programs spark beef sales increase
RED DEER, Alta. – Recognizing the cultural needs of Muslims has improved beef sales. Sold under the Al Safa brand in five provinces and 15 states, 10 different halal products are available. “These are all Canadian products that are exported to the U.S.,” said Kathy Keeler of the Beef Information Centre. Keeler is responsible for […] Read more
Bison’s many pleasures
RIMBEY, Alta. – When visitors come to Maurice and Pat Moore’s farm, there is a good chance bison will be the main course for dinner. The Rimbey, Alta., couple believe in eating what they produce, so there are always buffalo burgers ready to toss on the barbecue if friends drop by. The Moores’ farming career […] Read more
AIDA no help: fruit growers
WINFIELD, B.C. – Allan Claridtz has been an apple grower for 51 years and has probably seen harder times, but he has never felt so abandoned. British Columbia’s whole farm insurance to help farmers during this most recent price crash has created widespread frustration among fruit growers. “It is a self-destructing program. It is important […] Read more
New BCWI president sets membership goal
MERRITT, B.C. – Susan Hoszouski does not expect women’s institute members to take it all off like their British counterparts, but she does want some innovative ideas to capture attention for the century-old organization. Last year, 12 members of a women’s institute in Liverpool, England, posed nude for a calendar to earn money for leukemia […] Read more
Prince Rupert terminal may defer mortgage debt
The Prince Rupert Grain Terminal may not be able to meet a mortgage payment of $20 million this year. The terminal owes a full principal payment of $4.25 million and an interest payment of $16 million on Nov. 1, 1999. The loan was provided by the government of Alberta Heritage Saving Trust Fund. A smaller […] Read more
Environmentalist at helm of Alta. Agriculture
Ty Lund left Alberta Environment at the end of May but the spirit that weaves protection for soil, water and air follows him down the hall. Barely into the new job as agriculture minister, Lund is ready to look at the controversy of environmental issues versus the intensive livestock industry. He wants a scientifically based […] Read more
B.C. cattle producers weigh agriculture council funding
SMITHERS, B.C. – The British Columbia Agriculture Council wants to become a 911 line for farmers when trouble strikes. “Building that 911 line will bring the reassurance to anyone in ag that they are not alone when trouble strikes,” said council director Bruce Bakker. But lifelines cost money. Bakker, a nursery operator and florist, spoke […] Read more
