Distances separate rural women, but coming together shows them that they are not so far apart after all. For the last three years, Iris Meck has invited rural women to attend a two day conference called Advancing in Women in Agriculture. Women older than 19 from across Canada gather at conferences in Calgary and Toronto […] Read more
Farm Living
Stunning side dishes can steal the show
The leg of lamb or crown roast of pork usually takes centre stage at a special dinner, but what is a meal without equally impressive side dishes? Vegetables and grains add colour, texture, flavour and variety to the table and provide dietary fibre and a multitude of vitamins and minerals. Their benefits extend to reducing […] Read more
Small horses big with little ones
Jessica Wright looked extremely relaxed for a seven-year-old as she rode a horse around the ring at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon. She smoothly steered the horse, Bullseye, around barrels, and he trotted, jumped and stopped on command. Meanwhile, Jessica’s mother, Susan Wright, who was also inside the ring, didn’t seem concerned about […] Read more
Science, technology takes centre stage with 4-H members
The 4-H booth stood out from others at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. Most organizations had chickens, goats, rabbits or cows on display at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, but 4-H Manitoba had a hair dryer, ping pong balls and empty pop cans. Volunteers working the booth used the objects to introduce kids to basic […] Read more
Farm’s environmental stewardship recognized
CLARESHOLM, Alta. — Cows, calves and crocuses dot the hills around VXV Farms, where Gerald and Patricia Vandervalk ranch with Gerald’s parents, Jack and Merry. Their homes are nestled in a valley formed by Lyndon Creek, which runs through part of the Porcupine Hills west of Claresholm. About half the 400-head cow herd had calved […] Read more
Making the most of the golden years
Q: I will be only 52 years old this September. But in many ways I think that I have done it all. My wife and I have been married for 28 years. We took over the family farm and with careful planning and hard work, we have managed turn it into a profitable venture. Both […] Read more
Treatments for cough
Q: I have just got over a cold and I am still coughing several weeks later. This seems to happen every time I get a cold, which fortunately is not often. Maybe one a year. I have tried everything from cough mixtures and cough candies to antibiotics and nasal sprays. Nothing seems to make much […] Read more
VIDEO: New organic snack guilt-free
The peas had cooled down enough from the baking process the previous day and were now being packaged by University of Saskatchewan Food Centre by staff. They wear hairnets and white coats with red collars that allow access to the facility’s organic areas. Allen Zak, chief executive officer of Zak Organics, made a 300- kilometre […] Read more
Farm a family endeavour
WATROUS, Sask. — Nancy Johns and her husband, Jason, have deep family roots in agriculture. And if Nancy’s suspicions are accurate, those roots might soon extend to another generation in the Johns family tree. The Johnses live in Watrous and manage a century-old family farm near Zelma, 40 kilometres away. Jason’s parents still live on […] Read more
Healthier bodies needed to accompany longer life span
Aging populations can be a drain on health care if they have a poor diet and lifestyle that leads to obesity and disease
The gap between a healthy life and a long life is widening, says a Japanese researcher. “This is a problem,” said Dr. Kunihiro Kitano, chief co-ordinator for the Northern Advancement Centre for regional innovation strategy in Sapporo, Japan. “This study shows that we are just making unhappy people live longer.” Wilf Keller, president of Ag-West […] Read more
