RED DEER, Alta. — Through the spring and summer of 2018, curious drivers stopped almost daily to investigate the high steel pole and trellis structures set up alongside the road in central Alberta. “Some people thought we were setting up a bird sanctuary.… They were waiting to see the nets. Other people thought it was […] Read more
Tag Archives on the farm
Sask. horse ranching family is born to ride
On the Farm: Horses produced by the King family are used for ranches, rodeos, trick riding, equine events and pets
CORNING, Sask. — John King can’t put a number on how many horses he’s ridden over the years, but it’s a lot. “I was training my first horse when I was nine years old. I rode a lot of colts to begin with from the time I was old enough for Dad to throw me […] Read more
U-pick market garden focuses on education
On the Farm: Customers learn how to pick a cucumber and receive favourite recipes and tutorials in preserving food
Bawlf, Alta. — If children, parents and customers leave Lil Ryley Farms knowing a bit more about agriculture and food, that’s a win, says owner Kerri Giesbrecht. “We are about education,” Giesbrecht said about her family’s U-pick market garden, farm store and event farm. “When we made the move, we made it public about our […] Read more
Remote dairy farm grasps retail opportunities
On the Farm: Kootenay Meadows in the southern British Columbia interior finds markets for its cheese and bottled milk
CRESTON, B.C. — These dairy cows have it good. They graze on fresh organic grass every 12 hours. They are sheltered from blustery winds by a towering mountain range. They are milked on their own schedule. They don’t stand on concrete. And as newborn calves, they stay with their mothers for an extended period of […] Read more
Family members gradually return to B.C. ranch
On the Farm: A ranch started in the 1950s is now home to three generations, raising Herefords and Border Collies
CRANBROOK, B.C. — Putting a fence post in the ground here isn’t easy. The bedrock that lies beneath most of the 10,400 acres of grazing land at Pine Butte Ranch is unforgiving, sometimes requiring A-frame posts to hold up the more than 80 kilometres of fence. When Ray and May Van Steinburg bought the dairy […] Read more
Alberta orchard not afraid of diversification
On the Farm: A greenhouse and tissue culture lab followed the fruit trees — and then came the store and patio café
ELNORA, Alta. — Dave and Arden Delidais own and operate DNA Gardens. The 15-acre orchard is nestled into the rolling parklands of central Alberta, where the hills and valleys dotted with wetlands gradually give way to sprawling prairie. The fruit farm is known for an abundance of saskatoons and boasts 19 varieties. “We are the […] Read more
Alberta family’s matriarch returns to the farm
On the Farm: A love of the farming lifestyle and a century of rich history draws woman back to her family and the farm
CLIVE, Alta. — Louise Bell recently bought a quarter section of land at Clive and plans to move back to the farm, even though she’s reached an age where many people are slowing down. “I need a purpose in life,” said the 74-year-old. She currently lives in a condo in nearby Lacombe and has bought […] Read more
Fresh Flavour Farm a year-round operation
NOBLEFORD, Alta. — At first, Andy Katoch’s reasons for starting a vegetable operation were selfish, he admits. He and his family are vegetarian and he sought quality year-round food supplies to meet their needs. But now his aquaponic operation in this southern Alberta town is supplying many with vegetables and serving as an example of […] Read more
Oats become healthy answer for family farm
ABERNETHY, Sask. — Harvesting wheat always presented a problem for Scott and Teri Ruecker. Their two children, Paige, now 18, and Luke, 15, would get sick each fall. And Luke wasn’t growing like a six-year-old should. They sought out medical advice but no one was able to pinpoint the problem. Finally, with no pediatric gastroenterologist […] Read more
Father and son focus on moving farm forward
On the Farm: Saskatchewan family emphasizes the importance of soil health as a key way to keep operation viable
STURGIS, Sask. — Education is a lifelong endeavour for a father and son focused on improving their soil health. Elgin Amy and his son Keenean are moving their farm closer to where they want to be next year and beyond. “There’s just so much to learn. But you got to get your head around the […] Read more
