Awareness and acceptance are improving, but delegates at 4-H summit warned to learn about laws when travelling
OTTAWA — Bed-wetting was part of the emotional turmoil Jeff Howard endured as a child dealing with his homosexuality. He said he knew he was gay by age seven but never shared it. “I would pray to God to please make this stop.… ‘I want you to fix me,’ ” the state director of University […] Read moreStories by Karen Morrison
4-H empowers, incites change
Five thousand Gambians lost their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life in 2016. Ousman Sonko of the Rural Development Institute in Gambia thinks young people hold the key to improving life in his country of 1.8 million people. During the Global 4-H Network Summit, where young people and […] Read more
Future 4-H conferences move online
OTTAWA — It’s hoped that a switch to virtual meetings for 4-H Canada’s annual conference in 2018 will cut costs and improve participation. 4-H Canada and the Canadian 4-H Foundation held abbreviated meetings in advance of a four-day Global 4-H Network Summit in Ottawa. Stan Figley, board member with both 4-H Canada and 4-H Sask-atchewan, […] Read more
Small town gathers history for future generations
WALDHEIM, Sask. — Waldheim celebrated Canada’s 150th year June 24 with a car show, music, film, fireworks and its version of the popular TV show, Amazing Race. Canada and the Saskatchewan town’s histories were also marked in a Canada 150 book, compiled by volunteers Iona Greene, Anna Penz, Vicki Gossen and Diane Richard. Penz said […] Read more
Family challenged by ag economics covet rural life
HAGUE, Sask. — The dream was to farm full time, but high rents, minimal returns and a farm accident intervened for the Harms family of Hague. Rodney started farming in 1998, eventually buying three quarters and renting 12, raising about 100 cattle and trucking. “I knew we couldn’t make it on three quarters so I […] Read more
Booth sows seeds of wisdom at food show
TORONTO — It’s tough for a pedigreed seed company to compete with chocolate and cheesecake tasting at a food show. Undaunted, Zeghers Canada of Holland, Man., set up a small booth and laid out its seeds to promote what it could offer those who need these ingredients. Sherry Hird, Zeghers’ representative at the SIAL international […] Read more
B.C. yogurt processors ponder market expansion
TORONTO — Tree Island Yogurt is hoping consumers beyond its British Columbia borders will cultivate a craving for its artisan yogurt. Merissa Myles and her microbiologist husband, Scott DiGuistini, founded the Comox Valley company five years ago that today employs 19 staff and processes 8,000 litres of milk weekly. The pair and their young family […] Read more
Good things come in safe packages
Demands for fewer preservatives can mean a reduction in shelf life, freshness, appearance and flavour
TORONTO — Fewer ingredients in food products could mean a higher cost and shorter shelf life. Carol Zweep, manager of packaging, food and label compliance at NSF International, said some ingredients are necessary for food safety and “product functionality.” “There are a lot of chemical sounding names, but they have a function and sometimes can’t […] Read more
Food trends focus on health benefits
TORONTO — Tilapia ice cream may never win over fans of rocky road, but it offers a sweet way to add protein to the diet. Developed by the Central Luzon State University and funded by the Department of Agriculture in the Philippines, the unique ice cream was one of thousands of products displayed and taste […] Read more
Shoppers armed with wants
Food makers and marketers urged to understand concerns of millennials and cater to their busy lifestyles
Karen Morrison attended the SIAL international food and trade show in Toronto and filed these reports TORONTO — Millennials are well travelled, have adventurous palates and are digitally connected, but they are also a generation with a social conscience. Delegates at the SIAL show were told it’s important to understand how these characteristics affect what […] Read more
