Lois Schultz suggested using well-known public figures to join the campaign against global food waste
Lois Schultz wants people to focus more on feeding the hungry rather than obsessing about food choices in the grocery store. She made food waste, its global impact and creating change the topic for her winning speech in the senior event at the 2017 Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture competition in Toronto this month. Schultz […] Read moreStories by Karen Morrison
4-Her seeks higher profile for ag careers, women in business
Moving women up the business ladder and making their contributions more visible in the workplace while also raising agriculture’s profile as a career choice are among areas of special interest for the newest 4-H Canada scholarship winner. Sara Kate Smith, a member of the Yellowhead 4-H Club at Barriere, B.C., was one of four young […] Read more
4-H is a year-round commitment for Alta. leader
CHERHILL, Alta. — Dorothy Carlson is certain neighbours know when she is making her sticky cinnamon buns because they drop by her Cherhill, Alta., farm. She is also well known in her community for her longtime service to 4-H locally and in the district, having served as the president of the regional 4-H council for […] Read more
Off farm work keeps family operation humming
Daughters say they value the rural lifestyle and are exploring possibilities to ensure a long life for the Stasiuk farm
ROCHESTER, Alta. — Ken and Connie Stasiuk kick started the next generation’s foray into agriculture with the gift of a quarter section of their land. The recipients are their daughter, Kendra Stasiuk, and her husband, James Hoetmer, who operate a 2,500 hive apiary in a region known for beekeeping near Rochester, Alta. “When the kids […] Read more
When things go sideways …do you know what to do?
EDMONTON — Alberta’s Bill 6 has opened the door to addressing safety, say agricultural safety experts. “I saw it as an opportunity to talk about safety, raise the profile of safety in people’s minds,” said Dan Trottier of Ag Safe Alberta. “As a result, people are working toward more complex safety management systems for their […] Read more
Prepare farm plan to mitigate risk around marijuana use
The legalization of marijuana in Canada will pose safety issues for employers because there is no test to determine impairment
EDMONTON — Marijuana and dangerous workplaces do not mix, delegates were told at the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association’s annual conference in Edmonton this month. Dan Demers, a senior manager with CannAmm Occupational Testing services, noted effects linger for 24 hours beyond the acute period of use and days longer for chronic users, disrupting signals in […] Read more
Couple find satisfaction in getting their hands dirty
BON ACCORD, Alta. — Heather Edwards has thrown thousands of pots, but surprisingly few are collected by the Bon Accord, Alta., potter. The operator of Pottery by Heather uses the seconds not fit for sale in her family home, but doesn’t covet or collect her more ambitious pieces. “We live humbly. We drive old vehicles […] Read more
Make a plan, stick to the plan
EDMONTON — Farm safety is a big concern for rancher Trevor Tapp of Fraser Lake, B.C., who lives an hour from the local hospital and hours away from a fire hall. Speaking at the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association’s annual conference in Edmonton Oct. 3, he said he has a written safety plan, emergency numbers and […] Read more
Safety measures should include mental health
EDMONTON — Farm safety discussions should extend beyond safe grain handling and equipment risks to include mental health challenges in agriculture, said Russel Hurst of Crop Life Canada. “We need open, empathetic, respectful conversations,” he said. A featured presenter at the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association annual meeting in Edmonton Oct. 2-5, Hurst said CASA is […] Read more
Farm leader has gone far, but stays close to his roots
Robert Misko was an RM reeve for 16 years and currently sits on a Manitoba producers group as well as a national organization
BIELD, Man. — Robert Misko sought to spend only as needed in the Manitoba Rural Municipality of Hillsburg while serving as reeve for 16 years. “We wanted to show there was a value in the dollars we were taking from people,” he said. That included limiting spending to necessities for the small agricultural community such […] Read more
