Family supplies seeds from organically grown crops to customers who are rediscovering the benefits of local gardens
HUMBOLDT, Sask. — Growing crops to produce vegetable seeds means managing small plots at different locations in Saskatchewan. For the Terniers at Prairie Garden Seeds, that includes gardens at their farm near Cochin, Sask., and at St. Peter’s Abbey at Muenster, Sask. “We have to ensure garden seeds are pure, so we need a number […] Read moreStories by Karen Morrison
Zest for rural experience holds promise
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A growing interest in reconnecting with farm and rural life is an opportunity for agriculture, said the executive director of the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association. “Projections for consumer demand to visit farms will increase 10 and 20 fold in the next 10 to 20 years,” Charlie Touchette said in an […] Read more
Businesses collaborate for greatest benefit
Operators promote other products or services in the area to bring in more tourism
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Producers along an historic trail are pooling their resources to showcase their operations and reduce their marketing costs. The rural merchants of the Historic Otter 248th Trail at Langley, B.C., include Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery, JD Farms Specialty Turkey, Bonetti Meats, Kensington Prairie Alpaca Farm, Blackwood Lane Winery and the […] Read moreFarm tours offer learning experience
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Farmers should do their homework before offering school tours, says a U.S. farm operator. Sylvia Ganier, owner of the Green Door Gourmet farm near Nashville, said producers should research their local school divisions, check local and regional curricula and create age appropriate educational programs. In an interview during the North American Farmers’ […] Read more
Farmers share unique ways to tell story through video
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A goat kid escaping from its pen, stumbling and bleating its way through slides and ramps and jumping pillows is the subject of the winning YouTube video at the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association. Entitled Plan your escape to Leeds Farm, the video features a goat’s eye view of the fun […] Read more
Growers match seedlings with prairie environment
Saskatoon-area operation offers 30 varieties of apple trees from its nursery
Fully winter hardy on the Prairies (Zone 2). Cultural requirements are easy: a sunny location with well drained soil. Grow to a maximum height of seven feet. Fruit size of three inches is easily attainable with fruit thinning. Support required for young trees because they bear early and heavily. Selected 19 times out of 20 […] Read more
Growers benefit by getting fresh
Changing tastes create opportunities for fruit growers; fresh product demand on rise
Prairie fruit growers have the home court advantage when it comes to selling produce because Canadians spend twice as much on fresh fruit as their U.S. neighbours. Melissa Strom calls that an opportunity for Saskatchewan. “The trend is to be more healthy, and fruit sales are expected to go up,” she told the Saskatchewan Fruit […] Read morePilot project will further refine Alberta farm safety program
Alberta’s FarmSafe program has launched a second pilot project to help further refine and improve its safety management resource for farmers. Laurel Aitken, FarmSafe’s plan co-ordinator, said the first pilot program took place in 2013-14 with nine participants. Feedback from this group helped revise the plan, which was developed in conjunction with the Canadian Agricultural […] Read more
Know your customer, says grower
The business strategy is simple for one Saskatchewan fruit grower and processor: give the people what they want. Betty Forbes, president of Nvigorate Northern Vigor Berries, detailed her bumpy road in harvesting, processing and selling the leaves, berries and oil from sea buckthorn at the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association conference in Saskatoon Jan.16. “You need […] Read more
Service dog training has big payoff
Pawsitive Independence, a non-profit group in Saskatchewan, trains three dogs per year to assist autistic children
MARTENSVILLE, Sask. — A small non-profit group is seeking big benefits for children with special needs through its service dog training program. Pawsitive Independence relies on an extensive network of volunteers to raise and train dogs that are matched with families and their children’s specific needs. The group is currently focused on training dogs for […] Read more
