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
Stories by Mary MacArthur
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
Location key in biofuel decision
CAMROSE, Alta. – A small town about an hour’s drive north of Calgary has been chosen as the site of the largest biofuel refinery in the country. Dominion Energy says its new $400 million plant will be located at Innisfail, Alta. It will consist of a 380 million litre capacity canola oil crushing facility, 380 […] Read more
5,000 lack power after Alberta storm
For four days, Gwen Stuckey had 90 extra visitors in her living room after a late spring snowstorm cut off the power to about 5,000 people in central Alberta. Stuckey’s young chicks were moved into cardboard boxes in front of the wood-burning stove to keep them alive. The stove was also where Stuckey cooked meals […] Read more
Alta. to fund bioenergy
The Alberta government doled out $5 million April 12 to 14 renewable energy projects as part of its $239 million bioenergy program. The money will be used to help integrate biofuel- and biomass-generated power with the province’s traditional energy sources. Under the Biorefining Commercialization and Market Development program, money will be used for a variety […] Read more
Dutch couple hosts guests, new ideas
PEACE RIVER, Alta. – When your new farm has a house with a 180 degree view of the Peace River hills, a wrap-around porch and the rooms of a luxury hotel, do you move in? Barbara and Kos Bos didn’t. They moved into the hired help’s house beside the corrals and turned the 3,000 sq. […] Read more
Alberta boosts budget; little focus on agriculture
Alberta premier Ed Stelmach’s first budget increased spending by 10.7 percent to $29.7 billion with an eye on addressing the province’s increasing growth, said treasury board president Lloyd Snelgrove. “I think this budget reflects a very practical approach to what we’re facing in Alberta today. It reflects the growth. It reflects the growth pressure areas […] Read more
Family minds its own beeswax
HIGH PRAIRIE, Alta. – There’s more to bees than honey. In a search for hand lotion, Rachel Kemp turned beeswax into a line of body care products she hopes will diversify her family’s beekeeping business. “This is my way to contribute to the family business,” said Kemp, who has launched her own Kemp Honey line […] Read more
Farm kitchen produces a winner
BAY TREE, Alta. – A children’s entrepreneurship program was the inspiration behind Heather Porrill’s successful on-farm food and catering business. As part of a youth program in Dawson Creek, B.C., two of Porrill’s five children started a summer business creating and selling pancake and biscuit mixes. But it was Porrill, searching for a business a […] Read more
Livestock discovery prompts charge
The Alberta SPCA found 69 dead cattle and 175 cattle in poor condition April 11 when it searched a farm east of Edmonton. Morris Airey, director of enforcement for the animal protection agency, said officials launched the investigation after receiving a complaint. SPCA staff removed 145 cattle from the Sherwood Park farm, but were unable […] Read more
