Heather Watson joined Farm Management Canada to work in communications. Fast forward a few years, and instead Watson is leading a thriving, adaptive organization as its executive director, and has been for over a decade. As Watson explains, she stepped in to the role not fully knowing what to expect, but that she’s leveraged her… Read More
What do hot air balloons, rodeos, and role models have in common? The answer is agricultural communications specialist Karen Lewis. As part of our series featuring women in agriculture in honour of International Women’s Day, we spoke with Lewis about how strong women in her life have helped shape her career in agriculture. Lewis makes… Read More
If you’re on social media, chances are you’ve seen posts from Dickson Delorme, aka Quick Dick McDick (QDM). His YouTube videos cover his daily life on a grain and cattle farm, while bringing some humour and normality to some of the tougher topics out there. For this Friday edition of RealAg LIVE!, guest host Lyndsey… Read More
A mental health and wellness program designed specifically for farmers is launching this week in Ontario. The program, In the Know, was designed by Drs. Andria Jones-Bitton and Briana Hagen, with the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. It will be rolled out in 18 regions of Ontario. It was also launched in Manitoba earlier… Read More
Alison Sunstrum was pushing for interconnectivity of farm data long before the internet was even commonplace. It’s that kind of foresight that has pushed Sunstrum to grow not only her own businesses, but also to act as mentor — and sometimes funder and partner — to several other upstarts and innovators in agriculture. In this… Read More
The post-COVID situation for the food industry may be a concern for the average consumer. The impacts might be most felt by the grocery and restaurant sectors and one has to wonder what the business might look like when we emerge from the pandemic. “It depends which country you’re in,” says Dr. David Hughes, emeritus… Read More
In leadership, aggressive behaviour can actually be less harmful to business than passivity. In other words, being unwilling to discuss a problem is actually more detrimental that having an argument about it. But just knowing that doesn’t make dealing with conflict any easier says Kelly Dobson, chief leadership officer at LeaderShift. In this Mind Your… Read More
Shaun Haney recently had a conversation with someone who he would consider a mentor, that was challenging but also a two-way experience. The hour-long discussion on how to make agriculture better left him feeling recharged and ready to take on the day. On this RealAg LIVE! we’ve got a special “freestyle Friday” where Shaun has… Read More
Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) has announced that its FarmCash Advance Payments Program, previously only available in Alberta, will now be available to producers in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, beginning March 15, 2021. FarmCash has provided Alberta producers of over 50 ag commodities — including major crops, livestock, and honey — with another option to… Read More
If you clicked on this article, you’re probably wondering what “live your best life” I’m spewing out now. Today’s focus is sunlight. The polar vortex that has dominated the Prairies is making its way south of the border in a hurry (which, if you are reading this and from the parts of the U.S. that… Read More
The federal agriculture minister tried to address some of the questions coming from farms and other businesses that employ temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in a news conference on February 12. Employers of TFWs have been seeking clarifications regarding the federal government’s international travel restrictions and COVID-19 isolation protocols, as workers arrive for the upcoming growing… Read More
Each year, Canadian farms and orchards grow an abundance of fruit and vegetables for both local and export markets. From peaches and pears, to broccoli and asparagus, to processing tomatoes and cucumbers, Canada’s horticultural industry plays a vital role in producing local, fresh food for millions. Many of these farms employ seasonal workers, temporary foreign… Read More
What’s it like to be well under 30 and very suddenly diagnosed with a brain tumour, have your license pulled, and have to move back home? Kelsey Banks, Ontario agronomist, knows because that’s been her last 13 months. Oh, and there’s a global pandemic happening, too. In this RealAg LIVE!, host Kara Oosterhuis asks Banks… Read More
At first glance, it appeared that seasonal and temporary foreign workers coming to Canada would flow relatively unimpeded, save for the pre-flight COVID-19 test. However, last week’s federal announcement of more stringent quarantine measures and additional costs is possibly a new stumbling block, in the path to getting thousands of people here to work on… Read More
From business risk management fatigue, to the carbon tax, to adapting to changing labour demands, there’s plenty to cover regarding Canadian policy right now. It may be February, but horticulture farms and businesses are trying hard to navigate ever-changing COVID-19 travel rules in an effort to bring employees to Canada. Plus, not one but two… Read More
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