A quilt is more than pieces of fabric sewn together. It is also a collection of memories stitched together with love. Giving a quilt as a gift passes on the shared memories, said a woman who regularly gives prairie-made quilts as presents to women in northern Canadian communities. AnnE Zimmerman, with On Eagle’s Wings, a […] Read more
Stories by Mary MacArthur
Centre helps food firms expand
LEDUC, Alta. – Food developers hope a new $25 million food development centre will be the stepping stone they need to grow from small scale production to their own manufacturing plant. The Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator is the first of its kind in Canada dedicated to helping food processors scale up and commercialize their new […] Read more
Alta. finds more CWD
Nine more cases of chronic wasting disease have been found in wild deer during a disease testing program in eastern Alberta. From March 15-27, 600 mule deer and 801 white-tailed deer were shot and killed by government officials in the high-risk areas east of Wainwright, near Edgerton and Chauvin. The disease was confirmed in eight […] Read more
Complaint prompts well tests
Alberta Environment officials have taken samples from wells after Shawn and Ronalie Campbell complained at a recent news conference the government has done little to help find out how gas contaminated their water well. Andrew Horton, an Alberta Environment spokesperson, said the government hopes tests of gas and water wells last week near the Ponoka-area […] Read more
Spitz savours innovation, growth
There’s nothing new about spitting, but new flavours and innovations have kept the Spitz brand of sunflower seeds growing after 25 years. Myles Hamilton, vice-president of Spitz International, said small changes have kept customers cracking, chewing and spitting since the business began as a bird seed company in 1982. Spitz of Bow Island, Alta., was […] Read more
Workers sue Tyson
Former workers at Tyson Food’s slaughterhouse in Brooks, Alta., have filed a class action lawsuit claiming the company mistreated them when they tried to form a union. Adam Abel, a former worker at the plant, said he helped launch the class action suit to shine a spotlight on the poor treatment of workers. “We need […] Read more
Domestic lamb better: study
A cut of imported New Zealand or American lamb may be cheaper in the grocery store, but Canadian lamb is healthier, a nutritional study suggests. Jennifer Fleming of the Canadian Sheep Federation said a comprehensive analysis shows Canadian lamb is higher in protein and lower in fat and calories than lamb from New Zealand and […] Read more
Couple fed up with bad water
EDMONTON – Shawn and Ronalie Campbell believe oil and gas well activity near their farm has contaminated their drinking water and they want the provincial government to recognize the seriousness of ground water contamination. For more than a year what they call “explosive gas” mixed with water has bubbled and hissed from the taps, making […] Read more
Northlands expands exhibition facilities
EDMONTON – Construction will soon begin on the expansion of Northlands Agricom, doubling the amount of exhibition space to 500,000 sq. feet. Northlands president Jerry Bouma said the expansion allows the organization to attract more clients and add capacity, especially during Farmfair International when the facility is jammed to capacity with livestock. “We’re limited in […] Read more
New farming ideas offer hope: rural group
VIKING, Alta. – Rural communities can be the vibrant place they once were by working together and adopting alternative agriculture methods, says a newly formed agriculture organization. The Rural Outreach and Agricultural Renaissance Society hopes to help revitalize rural communities through education, said Brian Rozmahel, a Viking farmer and one of the founders of the […] Read more
