‘No two hats are the same’: Calgary company has been making Alberta’s favourite headgear for almost 100 years
“So, how did this happen? Did you have a background in fashion?” I put this question to Richard Cook, apprentice hatter at Smithbilt Hats Inc. in Calgary. We’re standing in the middle of hissing machinery in a brightly lit space just a few steps down from the main showroom. Around me, the walls are lined […] Read moreStories by Freelance writer
Endangered seeds may be key to biodiversity
Some varieties have fallen out of favour because they don’t fit modern food tastes, but others have simply been forgotten
Have you ever heard of a snow apple? How about red fife wheat? If not, you’re not alone. Welcome to the world of endangered seeds. When it comes to seeds, many people are used to seeing common varieties like Lincoln peas or Scarlett runner beans in their little envelopes on display racks. These, and others […] Read more
Urban farm sprouts on University of Alberta land
Initiative produces fruit and vegetables for community-supported agriculture project and donates to campus food bank
The Prairie Urban Farm, located on a parcel of land at the University of Alberta’s South Campus, is a hub of activity during the short growing season of the northern Prairies. Run by volunteers, it has produced fresh vegetables, leafy greens and fruit for its subscription community-supported agriculture program and made steady donations to the […] Read more
Brewery rescues fruit waste
In the fall of 2020, chief operations officer Mike Forgie of Highlands Liquor in Edmonton had an idea. Looking at the loaded crabapple tree in his backyard, Forgie put together a plan to collaborate with Blindman Brewery of Lacombe, Alta., and come up with a limited edition dry hard cider in the brewery’s test batch […] Read more
One stop for ag mental health
As part of her research, Linda Hunt wanted to know what mental health services were available to Alberta farmers and how they could be found. For the next few days, Hunt bounced between government and private agencies, associations and departments trying to piece together a picture of the available services for farmers. Farmers had told […] Read more
U.S. scientists identify carbon dioxide sensor in plants
Researchers have known for decades that plants can sense carbon dioxide concentrations that trigger pores in their leaves to open or close and control water evaporation. Plants can lose more than 90 percent of their water this way. But identifying the sensor that regulates how plants open and close their pores and understanding how it […] Read more
Soil microbes affect drought response
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in Missouri are seeking to bridge the gap between laboratory and field studies of crop-microbe relationships and their influence on drought tolerance. “Lab and field studies both have advantages and disadvantages,” said scientist Rebecca Bart. “The goal of this research was to combine multiple different experimental systems […] Read more
Ancient gene protects plants from caterpillars
Researchers gain a better understanding of how plants recognize peptides that caterpillars produce while feeding
Plants have inherited certain receptors that can recognize pathogens and diseases, which then triggers immune responses. But understanding how plants evolved that ability has been limited. Now scientists at the University of Washington are exploring key evolutionary events that enabled plants to develop responses to common threats. The research focused on the caterpillar. Researchers knew […] Read more
Manage coops for humidity, not temperature
Backyard chicken producers are urged to make sure they understand housing basics before bringing the birds home
The price of eggs — not to mention the idea of fluffy chicks — is enough to get even a confirmed suburbanite thinking about the merits of keeping a backyard flock these days. But eager chicken fanciers shouldn’t get ahead of themselves, says Cassandra Kirkpatrick, the urban hen and small flock programming instructor for the […] Read more
Veterinarians forge relationships with 4-H members
For young adult 4-H livestock division participants, strengthening relationships throughout the agricultural field is important to their current and future endeavours. Dennis Kotowich, assistant 4-H leader of the Elk Point beef club in Elk Point, Alta., believes members must become acquainted with as many aspects of the industry as possible to increase their chances of […] Read more
