As part of her research, Linda Hunt wanted to know what mental health services were available to Alberta farmers and how they could be found. For the next few days, Hunt bounced between government and private agencies, associations and departments trying to piece together a picture of the available services for farmers. Farmers had told […] Read more
Stories by Mary MacArthur
Mental health key to successful farm succession
Farmer finds the tools that help her cope with depression are also useful as she and her husband plan their retirement
STROME, Alta. — Having the taxes organized and the yard in good shape are important when planning a farm retirement or succession plan, but just as important is open communication and good mental and emotional health. Farm transitions are hard and the family needs to have all the skills to cope, said Doreen Blumhagen of […] Read more
Couple’s retirement plan required professional expertise
Alberta family had difficulty developing a succession plan on their own until they decided to hire a retirement expert
Hiring a professional farm retirement expert was key to a successful farm division with all parties still talking to each other at the end, said Carol Penman. For more than 50 years the three brothers, Bev, Jim, and Donald, and their families had a successful mixed farm of grain, hogs and cattle south of Czar, […] Read more
Greenhouse operators embrace new technology
Horticultural business adopts a specialized machine that eliminates the drudgery of sticking plants into a soil medium
STURGEON COUNTY, Alta. — Mindy and Justin Bidewell took a step to secure their horticulture future by investing in technology. One of the most laborious jobs in the greenhouse is to take a tiny plant stem with three tiny leaves and stick it into a soil medium and hope it grows. “If you were doing […] Read more
Producers ponder semi-retirement
After more than 20 years working on their ranch, these cattle producers look to reduce their active farming lifestyle
Grazing livestock in the most efficient and ecologically sound way will always be in the future for Amber and Steve Kenyon. Grazing livestock on their northern Alberta farm may not always be in their future. “Our future is slowly getting out of the day-to-day and more into education and promoting,” said Steve Kenyon of Busby, […] Read more
Farm succession starts by gathering information
Workshops are available that help producers figure out what they need to do first to successfully transition their farms
STROME, Alta. — Dozens of farm couples drove through a winter storm to the small community hall in the hamlet of Strome to listen to accountants talk taxes, capital gains, trusts, liability, asset pools, shareholder agreements and death. Farm succession planning isn’t easy or exciting, but successful farm transitions take time, work and a bucket […] Read more
4-H club takes eclectic approach
Members wanted to tackle a variety of different projects, prompting leaders to find a theme that would cover them all
BOTHA, Alta. — For his 4-H project, Nikolis Nims wants to learn how to fix a lawnmower and how to raise goats. “If a lawn mower stops working, I would like to know how to fix it so I can fix things,” he says. Landon Hoffman wants to learn how to cook steak. Stella Muhlbach […] Read more
Farm takes manure composting to next level
Family’s move to use compost to rejuvenate old hayland is part of a bigger decision to embrace regenerative agriculture
SILVER VALLEY, Alta. — It may look like a pile of coffee grounds, but the dried, composted wiggler worm castings can give a northern Alberta farm a much-needed nutrient boost. What started as piles of manure will eventually be sprayed on most of the 500-acre farm in the form of compost tea to ensure the […] Read more
Food production may change, but not the food
Speakers at a recent U of A forum say food will be produced significantly differently 50 years from now than it is today
EDMONTON — A group of agriculture specialists were asked to gaze into their crystal balls during a University of Alberta event to see what would be on the table in 50 years and their answers were as wide as their specialties. Ellen Goddard, a University of Alberta economist and professor believed the food for our […] Read more
Co-op shelves local produce
WASKATENAU, Alta. — A group of northern Alberta farmers and their friends have formed a co-op to help sell their produce, strengthen their community and have a place to meet. The writing was on the wall for the group of small-scale farmers who were finding it increasingly difficult to make a living selling their farm […] Read more
