It’s hard to argue with the old saying, “for every problem, there is a solution.” In tackling some of the unexpected pitfalls of farm life, it helps if the right fix is in place well before something bad happens, especially to a key family member. In a presentation entitled, “get your ducks in a row,” […] Read more
Farm Living
Planning best way to tackle future farm problems
Health co-ops rare breed
Quebec has become the last bastion of health-care co-operatives in Canada. The province has 77 of Canada’s 117 health co-ops, although most are locally based home-care agencies. Saskatchewan has fallen from a high of 25 co-op medical clinics formed during the 1962 doctors’ strike to the four remaining in Wynyard, Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina. […] Read more
Private vs. public health-care debate called myth
People are too willing to accept the idea that health care’s future will be a tense pull between public versus private systems, says a University of Regina professor. Greg Marchildon, a former deputy minister in Saskatchewan who also worked on the federal health commission headed by former Saskatchewan premier Roy Romanow, called the private versus […] Read more
Creativity often follows diversity
Hard times lead to innovation, says a University of Saskatchewan historian. Speaking to an international conference on the role of health co-operatives in health care, Brett Fairbairn said creativity accompanies adversity. For example, the doctors’ strike in Saskatchewan in 1962 led people to create health co-ops that worked with doctors who believed in offering nonprofit […] Read more
Tax deduction rules on a home office – The Law
Q: My wife and I farm and have a vehicle repair business on the side. For tax purposes, can I deduct some of my expenses for our house? A: These sorts of expenses are allowable as deductions, but there are plenty of rules. You need to be cautious and ensure your deductions are genuine, as […] Read more
Apple recipes; sharing family traditions – TEAM Resources
Before I can shift my focus to the upcoming holiday season, I must spend time cleaning up the procrastination pile. Recently, while looking for something, I came across a torn and ragged, food stained piece of paper that was stuck to a top shelf of a cupboard. It was like finding a treasure. On this […] Read more
Little green thumbs grow
When a seed is planted, it doesn’t grow into a candy tree. That’s one lesson the Little Green Thumbs program has taught Saskatchewan elementary schoolchildren, says co-ordinator Adrianne Begg. Whether a student is in a rural or city school, they all need to learn the wonder of how food is produced, she said. Even children […] Read more
Input sought for book on health of rural women
There is a research gap in rural women’s health in Canada and Beverly Leipert wants to fill it. The University of Western Ontario nursing professor is working with colleagues at the universities of Calgary and Guelph, Ont., to help produce a book that will be used by academics, policymakers and rural doctors and nurses. They […] Read more
Ag safety group outlines goals
Members of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association used a recent annual conference to refine priorities. CASA executive director Marcel Hacault said the most common request called on the safety group to work with provinces to identify an agency in each province from which farmers can learn more about safety. CASA was also asked to improve […] Read more
Alcoholic wants wife to return – Speaking of Life
Q: My husband is an alcoholic. We separated three months ago because of his drinking. He was never cruel or vicious when he was drunk but he was irresponsible. I did not know from one day to the next if we had money in our bank account and I could never count on him to […] Read more
