BLACKFALDS, Alta. — There’s no doubt the Hoogland family in central Alberta will remember 2020. The worldwide experience of COVID-19 would be the main reason, which has, among other things, clarified the importance of food security. “There’s definitely more people interested in buying home-grown food,” says Sherry-Ann, who with her husband, Kurt, and three youngest […] Read more
Tag Archives on the farm
Farm operation provides home schooling too
On the Farm: The Kyle children are involved in various aspects of Country Road Concepts, an on-farm business
TYVAN, Sask. — It all started with the making of a quilt from old jeans. Upon the sale of that quilt, and a few more craft items, Country Road Concepts was born. Codee Kyle started her on-farm business in 2012 as a way to keep up with her love of crafting while raising her first […] Read more
Producer finds fun outlet making honey liquor
On the Farm: Kevin Lefsrud needed a creative pastime after retiring from the Canadian Football League because of multiple concussions
VIKING, Alta. — When Kevin Lefsrud began coping with his concussion, he realized he needed a creative outlet to improve his mental health. He decided to distill honey, creating an array of uniquely flavoured alcohols through his company, Section 35. “Concussions are a very nasty thing,” he said, speaking in a telephone interview from his […] Read more
Broiler operation keeps Sask. couple farming
On the Farm: Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan’s New Entrant Program helped the Colemans fulfill their dream
Elise Coleman’s daughters exhibit the same passion for raising livestock that she possessed at their age. Elise and her husband, Jesse, recently shipped out their third flock of broiler chickens. Each time a new batch of chicks arrives, she sees pure joy in the faces of five-year-old Tori and three-year-old Leah. “They are farm kids,” […] Read more
Ranch family shares sense of responsibility
On the Farm: Wade and Jolene Watson shared a desire to own their own ranch and bought all their land themselves
SEVEN PERSONS, Alta. — It’s a family in which each member has followed their dreams and found success. Wade has always wanted to be involved in agriculture and be his own boss. Jolene fell in love with law enforcement and has always loved cattle. Sage, 25, is passionate about track and field, runs professionally for […] Read more
Sheep anchor Sask. family’s diversity efforts
On the Farm: Brian and Jennifer Pearl believe in permaculture, a natural ecosystem of low inputs and no chemicals
ADMIRAL, Sask. — The fifth generation Pearl farm might look a lot like the first — chickens wandering the farm yard, pigs hunkered down in cool ground, sheep in the adjacent pasture and some still in the lambing barn. There are a couple of turkeys, 10 cows, newly planted fruit trees, and a large vegetable […] Read more
Newfoundland strives for food self-sufficiency
On the Farm: A producer who grows crops on The Rock has learned the hard way how his province got its name
Ian Richardson knows why Newfoundland is called The Rock. Since moving to Cormack, N.L., about 20 years ago, Richardson has cleared about 700 acres of woodland and brought it into production. Most of the land is now used to grow forage, but Richardson spent an uncountable number of hours removing rocks and boulders from the […] Read more
Beekeeping changes focus for Sask. couple
On the Farm: A passion for bees brought them together, but growth has turned the honey operation into big business
GOOD SPIRIT ACRES, Sask. — Bees helped sweeten the deal that brought a young couple together. Sasha Howland and Danny Wasylenchuk both grew up in Yorkton and had summer jobs working with bees. It led to their marriage, family and successful honey business. Apiculture was not part of the original plan for either Howland or […] Read more
Prairie farm proves viability of apple orchards
On the Farm: Petrofka Orchard features 1,500 mature apple trees on 45 acres overlooking North Saskatchewan River
If you’ve ever driven north of Saskatoon toward the rural community of Blaine Lake, Sask., then there’s a good chance you’ve driven past the small piece of paradise that Diana Fedosoff calls home. The Petrofka Orchard, located about 55 kilometres north of Saskatoon, consists of 46 acres of picturesque land overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. […] Read more
Farmer convinced ‘this is the best place to be’
On the Farm: Couple considers themselves fortunate to be able to work with their two sons and daughter-in-law
RIMBEY, Alta. — “With the way things are right now, I’m glad I’m a farmer,” says Calvin Sargeant during a phone interview from his rural central Alberta home. He’s referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whole countries are closing up shop on non-essential services and requesting, sometimes demanding, that people stay home. Many workers have no […] Read more
