Diane Rogers

When the pioneers of Saskatchewan’s co-operative movement decided to teach a new generation about their ideals, they began a tradition that has lasted 80 years. Since 1928, a total of 42,000 young people have attended summer camps to learn how co-ops operate and why they are important. The Saskatchewan Co-operative Youth Program (SCYP) has organized […] Read more

Rose Olfert thinks a federal department of rural affairs is the most important recommendation to come out of a recent Senate report. The University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist said that would address the problem of nobody being specifically responsible for rural issues. A single government agency could best handle the health, education, transportation and natural […] Read more

Saskatchewan’s strengthening economy is prompting the provincial government to spend money on child care so parents can work. Last month social services minister Donna Harpauer and education minister Ken Krawetz announced the government would spend $1.7 million this year to create 500 new licensed child-care spaces in 17 communities. “Our growing economy has created an […] Read more

NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. – A belly laugh isn’t hard to do until you try to keep it rolling for a minute. Members of the Saskatchewan Women’s Institutes gave it their best attempts during a laughter therapy session at their annual meeting. Ellen Wood, a United Church minister who worked in rural parishes in Manitoba until […] Read more

Albertans are wondering if another reorganization of their health-care system will improve service. While some say the new “superboard” that will replace nine regional health boards could streamline the system and offer uniformity of service, others think it will continue the trend of medical workers moving to cities and avoiding rural areas. Health minister Ron […] Read more

Stay tuned for the next action on midwifery, says Meryl Moulton, president of the Alberta Association of Midwives. She said Alberta is the second-last province in Canada, ahead only of Prince Edward Island, and the last in the West to look at paying midwives. Following May 5 rallies in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, there […] Read more

Securing jobs for people who have trouble finding work, providing people with creative outlets and generating regional economic benefits. These are three key functions provided by co-operatives, a recent class at the University of Saskatchewan has found. Master’s students who studied food-related co-ops in Canada outlined their findings at a May 1 seminar presented by […] Read more

In 1995, when Rosa Amelia Centeno wanted to set up a coffee growing project in her northern Nicaraguan community, she invited 20 women to work with her. Only six women, mostly single mothers, helped her start. The others were forbidden by their husbands or fathers to participate. Now, 13 years later, 24 women belong to […] Read more

As a newly minted university graduate with an agribusiness degree, Lynden Butler is living life at a fast pace. He and his father, Lowell, recently doubled the size of their farm, and Lynden has taken a four month contract job with Bayer Crop Science. As well, he has volunteered for another term as chair of […] Read more