A retired Saskatchewan social worker not only transforms the wood into art but also enjoys sharing his craft with others
“Now this is the very best part,” he says excitedly as he holds an old sock in his hand. His 12 students are silent and focused as Greg Mallett runs a white sock dipped in linseed oil along a smoothly sanded willow stick, revealing colours only Mother Nature could create. “Just look at those blacks […] Read moreStories by Freelance writer
Six communities find fame on a candy wrapper
Chocolate bar maker selects attractions from communities across Canada to feature on a special edition of KitKats
MONTMARTRE, Sask. — How do you keep a cat in the bag for eight months? Ask Dale Brenner. He’s been on the difficult mission to not let the KitKat out of the bag since September. When the Eiffel Tower in Montmartre was chosen to be one of only six Canadian attractions featured on a special […] Read more
Research underscores microbe value in storing soil carbon
The new insights provided by the study open up opportunities to look at farm management practices that most beneficially influence microbial carbon-use efficiency to enhance soil health, potentially improve crop yield and generate food security.
Prairie haskap production sees steady growth
The latest varieties are the second generation developed through the University of Saskatchewan’s breeding program
Most commonly called by its Japanese name, haskap, this berry is also known as honeyberry and sweet berry or blue honeysuckle. It is native to the northern boreal forests in Asia, Europe and North America. Its history can be traced back hundreds of years on Japan’s Hokkaido Island.
Cyclone of 1912 devastated Sask. capital
The twister hit June 30 as residents prepared for Dominion Day, killing 28, injuring 300 and damaging many buildings
The Regina Cyclone remains the worst tornado in Canadian history, 111 years after it occurred. On June 30, 1912, an F4 twister killed 28 people, injured 300 and caused $12,000 in property damage ($30.5 million today) and left 2,500 people homeless. Called a cyclone back then, today it’s classified as a tornado. Cyclone is the […] Read more
Shearers provide vital service for sheep sector
A younger generation is joining the small group of professional shearers who ply their trade across Western Canada
Wrestling a bleating mass of dirty wool weighing more than 200 pounds, flipping it onto its back or side, then wielding an electric shearer — that’s the normal routine for a sheep shearer. “It’s super physical,” said Bethan Lewis, a young shearer from Alexander, Man. All sheep should be shorn once a year to keep […] Read more
Alberta farm fueled by flower power
A passion for gardening leads couple into the world of floral retail, concentrating on the dried flower market
Lori Wimble wanted to share her love of flowers and maybe even make money at it, so in 2021 she started selling at farmers markets. Wimble focused on fresh-cut flowers, and the money she made went into production for the next market. Looking to diversify, she started to dry her flowers and make bouquets.
Peat producers focus on environmental impact
The industry says it consults with local rural communities to create jobs and apply post-harvest restorative practices
About 11.8 million cubic metres of peat are harvested a year from Canadian wetlands and shipped to the United States for processing. Then it is distributed back into Canada and throughout North America. The demand is high and Canadian peat harvesters can’t keep up. Peat lands exist across Canada. They make up 13 percent of the nation’s total land mass.
New cover crop attention revives interest in safflower
Proponents say the plant’s deep tap roots make it a desirable option when producers are considering cover crops
As more farmers deal with rising input costs and learn to work with fewer chemicals, cover cropping is gaining attention as a viable alternative for weed control, better soil health and overall biodiversity.
Teen shepherd expands her flock
A Grade 10 student from Alberta took over the family sheep business when she was 13 and hasn’t looked back since
Sheeps’ milk soap, handmade dryer balls, raw fleeces, hand-shearing, breeding stock, sheepskin tanning, rotational grazing set-up, meat sales, rovings and wool batts — where does first-generation sheep farmer Kamden Bartman find time for it all? It’s even more remarkable when you realize the pint-sized power behind The Prairie Shepherdess is 16 years old. As a […] Read more
