Brenda Hunter

Freelance writer

Stories by Brenda Hunter

Society has traditionally treated dying as taboo, which is what the organizers of Death Cafes are attempting to counter. | Getty Images
Farm Living

Death cafes help ease fear of dying

Manitoba death doulas hold discussion groups where people can share their personal experiences with dying and death

The Death Café approach to starting conversation about death and dying is a relatively new concept to hit southwestern Manitoba. Compassionate people like Christine Cross and Cathy Coulter of Virden are using their training to pioneer the movement in the area and to help make the experience informative and positive. Cross said a Death Café […] Read more
Tooke horses are still waiting their turn in the rodeo ring. | Ken Howie photo
Livestock Management

Rodeo legend created ‘born to buck’

Feek Tooke single-handedly changed the face of the sport eight decades ago by breeding horses specifically for the ring

The loss of the Calgary Stampede this year and the cancellation of most fairs and rodeos due to COVID-19 have strained many pocket books. Rodeo stock contractors and cowboys rely on rodeos to make a living. However, the cancellations haven’t dulled the tenacity and spirit to produce great bucking horses. Jim Lawrence of Kennedy, Sask., […] Read more
Too many choices to make can be overwhelming for farmers because they can cause confusion, take too much time to explore and provoke anxiety. | Getty Images
Farm Living, News

Immediate action uncommon with farm stress

Anxiety and depression are the most seen mental health issues facing today’s farmers, but many don’t seek help till later

Farming is a stressful business, and 2020 is shaping up to be a doozy. A dry summer across a good part of the Prairies last year was followed by a delayed harvest due to excess moisture in fall. That led to poor yields and crop left unharvested over winter in some areas. Then came the […] Read more
Professionals specializing in the mental health field say they have noticed a shift in producers’ willingness to open up with someone who they can trust and who understands the issues facing farmers. | Getty Images
Farm Living, News

Agricultural lifestyle called conducive to farm stress

The independent spirit that helps farmers cope with working in isolation can also make it more difficult to ask for help


The most important components of a farming operation are its people. “In agriculture, we always hear about the latest advances in technology and innovation, and we forgot about our people,” said Lesley Kelly, co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation, an organization founded to deal with mental health issues facing farmers. “We should’ve been talking […] Read more
News

Lower than average resilience can pose risk for producers

Never has farming been under such high scrutiny as it is today. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the modern world has never needed agriculture more than it does today. Farmers bear the weight of the world as the main source of global food supplies. As a result, recent studies have concluded that suicide […] Read more
Kim McConnell, a longtime supporter of the 4-H movement, paid to build and erect a cairn in Hamiota, Man., in honour of the McConnell Beef Club. | Supplied photo
Farm Living

4-H movement inspires continuing loyalty

Many adults remain intense supporters of the organization long after they and their children leave active membership

Candace Tolton of Kenton, Man., has taken the 4-H motto of “learn to do by doing” to heart. She has worked her way up the ranks to become president of the Manitoba 4-H Council. Tolton’s road to 4-H began when her eldest daughter, Brooke, turned nine and was old enough to join their local multi-purpose […] Read more
Lacey Marshall, centre, her daughter, Maci, and sister, Jerry-Lynn Marshall, wear shirts from her custom Wildflower Stitchin’ brand. | Photo courtesy of Lacey Marshall
News

Man. woman turns grief into thriving business

A decision to teach herself how to sew western shirts like her late mother used to do leads to a thriving venture


Lacey Marshall of Rapid City, Man., started sewing slightly more than a year ago, compelled by her mom’s influence, her own determination, and the excitement of sharing a family tradition with her daughter. A desire to sew some shirts for herself and her daughter, Maci, has become full-blown business with her Wildflower Stitchin brand of […] Read more
Kelvin Dushnisky is chief executive officer of AngloGold Ashanti in Johannesburg. | AngloGold Ashanti photo
Farm Living, News

Farm boy from Manitoba hits the big time

Kelvin Dushnisky, who grew up on a farm near Birtle, now runs the third largest gold mining company in the world

No matter where life takes Kelvin Dushnisky, chief executive officer of AngloGold Ashanti in Johannesburg, South Africa, he still considers Manitoba his home. “I have lived in a few places but unequivocally when I am asked where I call home, the answer is Manitoba,” says Dushnisky. “I am very proudly Manitoban and I promote the […] Read more
Shane Brown helps his son, Slone, with his loop during the dummy roping event at last year’s event while Slone’s brother, Brock, and cousins Kesler and Carter Brown wait their turn. Sister Dally in the foreground. | Kelly McIntyre photo
Farm Living

Young cowboy’s legacy stays strong

Family and friends continue to gather to share Manitoba cattle producer’s passion for horses, kids, and rodeo

The legacy of Casey Brown lives on, as family and friends continue to share his passion for horses, kids and rodeo. The Lenore, Man.,-area cowboy and horseman was well known for passing along his know-how to the younger generation before the 34-year-old’s life was cut short in an automobile accident in 2011. The following year, […] Read more
Jack Houston, left and Jack Fleming participate in the Sharing Dance Seniors program led by Dana Routledge, recreation director and on-site facilitator at the Birch Lodge in Hamiota, Man. | Brenda Hunter photo
Farm Living

Power of dance tapped to help elderly

Personal-care facilities participate in study exploring how music and movement affect elderly and dementia patients

Communities in southwestern Manitoba have wrapped up the third phase of a research project studying the effects of music and movement in the elderly and in people living with dementia. The research was carried out as a joint project between Brandon University and Trent University in Peterborough, Ont., Five personal-care facilities were involved in the […] Read more

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