VENLAW, Man. — Stephen and Annie Negrych were so passionate about preserving their Ukrainian roots in Canada that they lived at the family’s secluded Manitoba homestead without power or running water until the 1990s. They ran the farm as their parents, Wasyl and Anna, did, preserving the farm in its original form. Today, the Negrych […] Read more
Stories by Karen Morrison
Disabled athlete gives back to sport
FORK RIVER, Man. — Diane (Pidskalny) Hrychuk was just 18 and living alone, hours from her northwestern Manitoba farm, when she was told she was going to die. Today, at age 63, that memory still fills her eyes with tears as she pauses before speaking again. “I did a lot of negotiating with my God,” […] Read more
Scenic location plants seed for resort, tourism
TOGO, Sask. — Cottages in varying stages of readiness dot the high riverbank overlooking the Lake of the Prairies where cattle once grazed. Unlike other farmers ready to retire or change careers, Konrad and Claudia Zangl are building up their farm enterprise in eastern Saskatchewan to include this lakefront development being rolled out in two […] Read more
Family – work balance keeps business growing
LOREBURN, Sask. — Staying ahead of the curve, taking big risks and balancing work and family are ingredients in Lionel and Melody Ector’s recipe for success on the farm. They operate Diefenbaker Seed Processors and Stulor Farms in central Saskatchewan, growing, cleaning and processing specialty crops for domestic and export markets. “Everything is one hour […] Read more
Organic grain millers cater to niche market
RICETON, Sask. — Bob Balfour emerges from a mill on his farm at the old Bechard townsite near Riceton with a layer of flour dusting his white coat and hair net. Balfour operates R &J Milling, where he uses a secret method to process organic grain such as durum, wheat, spelt and rye into flour […] Read more
Chef gets help from above to deliver freshness
TORONTO – A downtown Toronto hotel has taken local food production to new heights. About 350,000 bees produce 450 pounds of honey a year from rooftop hives on the 14th floor of the Fairmont Royal York. The honey is used in the hotel’s restaurants. The hives are set against the backdrop of the CN Tower, […] Read more
Food trends changing
TORONTO -The rapidly changing ethnic face of Canadian society will influence what farmers grow in the future, a food industry conference heard. Doree Kovalio, senior market development officer with Agriculture Canada, expects to see rapid growth in demand for buckwheat, quinoa and peas in the next 10 to 20 years. At the Sial international food […] Read more
Soggy spring challenges century-old mixed farm
PENZANCE, Sask. – Wanda Erlandson dons rubber boots to wade into what is familiar territory for many Saskatchewan farmers this spring. Almost knee deep ponds separate her house from the grain bins and grid road and conceal wires on cattle fences. “It’s the wettest I’ve seen it in my 40 odd years of farming,” her […] Read more
Study finds sector would benefit from national program
TORONTO – Producers and processors in Canada’s specialty food industry are divided on the need for a national organization. Claudia Schmidt, research associate at the George Morris Centre in Guelph, Ont., says a Value Chain Management Centre study found that a lack of communication between industry, government and researchers is hampering the sector’s growth. The […] Read more
New food products cater to allergies, disorders
TORONTO – The recent proliferation of gluten-free food is causing consumers to rethink the wheat products they routinely buy, says a food trends expert. Isabelle Marquis, XTC World Innovation director for North America, said misinformation and confusion about the gluten-free label is likely behind a backlash against cereal grains. “Many feel it’s something they shouldn’t […] Read more
