TORONTO — The biggest barrier to women settling into leadership roles may be the women themselves. Sophie Perreault of Farm Credit Canada detailed her leadership journey in a presentation at the Advancing Women in Agriculture conference here this month. “Embrace our imperfections and know we are good enough,” the executive vice-president and chief operating officer […] Read more
Farm Living
Learn to ask for help, listen to answers: speaker
Advancement starts with youth mentorship
The 2016 Supporting the Advancement of Women in Agriculture project addressed barriers to advancement facing women in the industry. Respondents listed the following among their priorities:
TORONTO — Iris Meck hopes to put the next generation of female leaders on the fast track. Meck of IMCI Events in Calgary organizes the Advancing Women conference in Eastern and Western Canada each year, paying for and acquiring sponsorships for youth delegates to attend. “I believe that’s where our future is,” she said. “Young […] Read more
Turn squash and pumpkin harvest into tasty meals
Harvest often brings the thrill of finding a big pumpkin or more spaghetti squash hidden under the vines. Last year, mutant spaghetti squash were discovered from planting their seeds beside buttercup squash. Buttercup squash are round with a dark green skin and dark orange, dry, almost potato-like texture pulp when cooked. Some of the spaghetti […] Read more
Sunflower industry hopes for recovery in Manitoba
Sunflowers are down but not out in Manitoba. Seeded acreage fell to 66,000 this year, one of the smallest plantings in the last decade. However, industry representatives are feeling hopeful about next year because more buyers are interested in Canadian sunflowers. “We’ve have a couple of new organizations get into the business,” said Troy Turner, […] Read more
Sask.’s Wall supports rewarding stored carbon; rejects carbon tax
Premier Brad Wall says Saskatchewan farmers should receive credit for the carbon they store on their land. Speaking to the Regina Chamber of Commerce Oct. 18, he outlined the province’s plan for climate change, focusing on adaptation and innovation. He told the crowd that the federal government hasn’t said whether it will recognize the province’s […] Read more
Ag committee finalizes Growing Forward travel plans
The federal agriculture committee begins its study of the next agricultural policy framework this week and has once again changed its western travel plans. Prior to taking a parliamentary break after Thanksgiving, the committee agreed to reconvene Oct. 18 for its last meeting on genetically modified animals for human consumption. On Oct. 20, members begin […] Read more
Ancient treasures, captivating landscapes
The approach is breathtaking. Travelling across the mostly level farmland near Brooks in southeastern Alberta, we come to a valley rim where the land suddenly drops into a vast expanse of spectacular badlands, the largest anywhere in Canada. The parched land of crumbling slopes, fairy-tale hoodoos and assorted bizarre formations appear in various shades of […] Read more
Dangers lurk for children on the farm
Karen Morrison reports from the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association annual meeting in Charlottetown. CHARLOTTETOWN — Allowing children to join their father in the tractor may seem like one way to create a lifelong interest in farming, but a child safety expert says it’s too risky. Marsha Salzwedel, the agricultural youth safety specialist at the National […] Read more
No kidding, this job is a shear delight
PINCHER CREEK, Alta. — Two retired teachers are at last dealing with kids that don’t talk back. There might be some teasing and running in the hallways or alleyways but that’s all in a day’s work on a goat farm. Tom and Catherine Sheard operate Mountain Sunset Angoras on the outskirts of Pincher Creek. About […] Read more
Banks offer advice, information, contacts: industry expert
Key factors the bank will use to assess your application:
TORONTO — Women often don’t visit bankers soon enough when thinking about launching a new enterprise, says an Ontario banker. “We may not be able to lend money, but we can make sure you get off in the right direction,” said Sheri Griffiths, regional vice-president of the BMO Financial Group in Markham, Ont. In an […] Read more
