The high cost of equipment and land is too daunting at this stage in life for couple eying retirement in the near future
WAKAW, Sask. — It’s trying to snow outside as Eileen and James Yakimchuk look over some family history around their kitchen table. Their century family farm, which is nestled less than an hour’s drive northeast of Saskatoon, is where James was born and raised and will possibly retire. “We were looking for the milestone of […] Read moreFarm Living
Try a new pulse dish this week
Pulses are taking centre stage this year during the United Nations International Year of Pulses. Unique and interesting ways to encourage Canadians to include more pulses in their diet are in evidence at every turn. A school breakfast and lunch program in Saskatoon has pulse recipes such as bean lasagna and oatmeal lentil chocolate chip […] Read more
Health issues sow seed for organic products
WATSON, Sask. — A battle with breast cancer in 2010 led a Sask-atchewan entrepreneur on a mission to find nut and gluten free organic food. The search led to the creation of the Canadian Organic Spice and Herb Co. and grew to include oats this spring under its retail label, Splendor Garden. Colleen Haussecker, who […] Read more
Census nothing to panic about
Farmers who threw the Census of Agriculture on a pile with other unopened mail may want to dig it out and get it completed this week. The streamlined online questionnaire is relatively quick to complete and once done, the information is used to improve the services and programs available to farmers across the country. Greg […] Read more
Taking steps to prevent farm accidents
Q: Our grandchildren will be here next week to spend 10 days with Grandpa and me while their parents are off to Italy. Grandpa and I are excited. At the same time, we are cautious. Nothing could be worse for us than to have one of our grandchildren injured on the farm. We sat down […] Read more
Habitat builds homes to break cycle of poverty
Vision is a world where everyone — despite a lower income — has a safe and decent place to call home
LACOMBE, Alta. — Habitat Red Deer has 193 low-income families from central Alberta needing a place to call their own. Susan Smith, the chief executive officer of Habitat Canada who recently visited one of the organization’s building sites in Lacombe, said they are part of the 1.6 million Canadians needing affordable housing. “Although I work […] Read morePositive attitude reduces stress
The deadline to complete the Census of Agriculture can cause stress, especially when rain is on the way and there are still 500 acres of canola left to seed. Gerry Friesen, a conflict mediator in La Salle, Man., says farmers who start to feel stressed and anxious need to step back and focus on personal […] Read more
Father planted seed of farming early in life
The Davis family juggled their agricultural life by pursuing multiple careers in Alberta and Saskatchewan
WISETON, Sask. — Ed Davis was only seven years old when his father, Cal, cut the first furrow in the field and had him smell the dirt. “That was like the seed of farming put into me,” he said. “I’ll never forget. Every year, I think of that.” This month, Davis will seed 1,120 acres […] Read more
Sandwich buffet great way to use up leftover food
Seeding and farm work are in full swing on the Prairies so it may be necessary to speed up lunch preparations. A sandwich buffet uses bits and pieces of food that alone are not enough to feed a crew. It is an excellent way to use a single pork tenderloin, a couple of chicken breasts […] Read more
Country air: not as clean as it seems
Asthma, pneumonia and other respiratory illness can be triggered by farm hazards such as bacteria, chemicals and dust
The dust stirs on a windy day and Dave Broersma sits in the cab of his tractor a bit longer than most. “I consciously have to wait until the dust settles and then get out. It affects me,” he said. Broersma dealt with asthma symptoms for years on his small grain farm in Hague, Sask. […] Read more
