Jennifer and Shane Hunter promote solar energy as good for the environment but also as beneficial for the bottom line
RADVILLE, Sask.—Southern Saskatchewan gets more than 2,300 hours of sunlight per year, and as far as Shane Hunter is concerned, that’s a valuable resource that is going to waste. The journeyman electrician established Meridian Solar and Electric Inc. with his wife, Jennifer, in 2016 to show business and farm owners that the power of sunlight […] Read moreFarm Living
Cafe and gift shop cater to owner’s artsy side
A central Alberta entrepreneur lures urban residents into the country by operating her business in the Little Red Barn
RED DEER— After some deliberation, Jamie Aitchison gave up her long-time secure office job in 2017. “I always had a dream to mix my two favourite things, retail and food,” says the owner of the Little Red Barn, a cafe and gift store located on her acreage a few minutes drive from Red Deer. “It’s […] Read more
Young brothers battle midnight hockey fever
Winter cold and late night darkness weren’t going to stop two farm boys as they played Canada’s game on a frozen pond
It was around midnight and I felt a shake on my shoulders while I was deep in sleep and among my blankets. It was a December evening in 1975. In the darkness and in my sleeping stupor, I could barely discern the figure of somebody slightly smaller than I, but who looked similar — my […] Read moreGuilt is a natural personal condition that is often helpful
Q: I am feeling bad. The other night our 13-year-old daughter broke curfew. She wouldn’t admit to it, but I am fairly certain that she was at a house party with some older kids and that all of them were fooling around with alcohol and marijuana. You know, with all of the COVID stuff going […] Read more
Thousands of hay bales destroyed in massive fire
Officials are investigating the cause of a massive fire that destroyed nearly 6,000 bales of timothy hay near Taber, Alta., causing millions of dollars in damage. “Some of the things that were found by the fire investigator (are) a concern, but we’re just right at the beginning of the investigation,” said Const. Corinne Oliver of […] Read more
Wheat not causing food price spike: prairie growers
Wheat prices are not making bread more expensive, say wheat growers from the Prairies. In a joint statement issued today, SaskWheat, the Manitoba Crop Alliance and the Alberta Wheat Commission said a recent media report on food prices is inaccurate. Part of a Canadian Press story published last week said bakery prices in Canada are […] Read more
Survey finds public support for foreign workers
In the world of work, business owners benefit from having employees and workers benefit from having a job. In an ideal world, both sides should benefit equally. When it comes to temporary foreign workers employed in agriculture, many Canadians say farmers are getting the better end of the deal. Fifty-five percent of Canadians believe farmers […] Read more
Feds continue crack down on fake honey
Fake honey remains a massive problem for beekeepers around the globe. But recent data shows the amount of fake honey imported or sold within Canada is on the decline. Fake honey is made by adding corn syrup, rice syrup or another sweetener to genuine honey. Between April 2019 and March 2020, the Canadian Food Inspection […] Read more
Farmers market goes indoors – photo essay
Photo essay | The Gasoline Alley Farmers Market is Red Deer’s first indoor market and will be open Saturdays and Sundays year round. As an Alberta approved market, 80 percent of all products sold are made, baked or grown in the province. Approximately 2,500 people visited on Nov. 21, the first day of the market’s weekend-long “soft” opening. Local high school students volunteered to help manage COVID-19 protocols. Masks were not mandatory but were encouraged and worn by most customers. | Maria Johnson photos
The Gasoline Alley Farmers Market is Red Deer’s first indoor market and will be open Saturdays and Sundays year round. As an Alberta approved market, 80 percent of all products sold are made, baked or grown in the province. Approximately 2,500 people visited on Nov. 21, the first day of the market’s weekend-long “soft” opening. […] Read more
Making food ahead of time for Christmas is a great idea
Families everywhere are adapting their Christmas plans to keep everyone safe. Have a big day, not a big crowd. Make it special. There won’t be meals with extended family and friends at a table for 20 people. Christmas celebrations may be virtual gatherings or involve the sharing of food but not in the same home. […] Read more
