“What do you know about farming?” This is the question I have been answering all summer as I prepared for my internship atThe Western Producer. Having been born and raised in Calgary, I have to confess the answer is “not much.”
Although I am a city boy, I have at least set foot on a farm before. My grandparents had a farm just outside of Radisson, Sask., and my stepmother’s parents had a farm near Standard, Alta. Several other relatives were involved in agriculture throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.
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While I have fond memories of summers, Thanksgivings and Christmases spent on the farm, I was too young to really understand the day-to- day operations. I remember pretending to drive my grandfather’s combine, having no idea what the machine actually did.
I also remember visiting with my grandparents’ friends and neighbours and seeing the big blue newspaper sitting on almost every kitchen table. It’s hard to believe I will be contributing to making that newspaper appear on many of those same kitchen tables all these years later.
The second question people (perplexed city types) have asked is: “Why intern atThe Western Producer?”
This is much easier to answer.
Journalists are, first and foremost, storytellers. I see the potential for lots of great stories in the world of agriculture. I have always been struck by the perseverance and dedication of farmers and ranchers who thrive in an industry that is so often beset by calamities, both natural and man-made. You can’t ask for better characters to write about.
Also, many of today’s most pressing concerns involve agriculture. Water, land and the balance between industry and the environment are going to play an ever larger role in global decision-making. No reporter can hope to take on these issues without some understanding of agriculture.
As to what I hope to accomplish in my time at theProducer,I hope to be of use to its readers. I have a lot to learn but hopefully being a blank slate will lead me to ask questions others might overlook.
And I definitely have to come away from theProducerknowing what at least some of those buttons and knobs in my grandpa’s combine did.
