If you leave Dyce, Scotland in a northeasterly direction, you’ll no doubt end up along the North Sea’s coastline. You’ll pass Donald Trump’s controversial golf course along the A90, infamously known by environmentalists, many of whom opposed its start up and watched closely as Trump took his opposition to an experimental offshore wind farm to… Read More
Category: Farm Travel
Nuffield Canada has announced the recipients of its scholarships for 2015. Three individuals will receive $15,000 to study a specific agricultural issue while traveling internationally for a minimum of 10 weeks. The 2015 scholarship recipients are Becky Parker of Picton, Ontario, Greg Donald of Kensington, PEI and Colin Hudon of Rosser, Manitoba. Starting in February… Read More
The following is a written version of the audio above, though the audio provides sound clips and interviews from the tour itself (recommended). Over 200 journalists from 37 countries met this September for the annual IFAJ congress in Dyce, Scotland, a suburb of the booming granite city of Aberdeen. The theme this year was innovation,… Read More
I’ve often heard travelling farmers suggest their peers ignore the customs declaration form that asks whether or not you’ve recently visited a farm or are returning to one. The fear, is, of course, that the customs staff might waste your time with needless questions, disinfecting of boots and so forth. I’ve never paid much heed to… Read More
It’s drizzling rain, with autumn on its way. The telly is on, to provide background noise and prevent the inevitable feeling of loneliness that so often accompanies travel. The video pans across a house inspired by “earthship” designs. An angry accent trembles through the air outside: a worried father. I’m writing from a hotel near Aberdeen,… Read More
One of the few Latin American countries to expand agricultural production since the mid-1900s, Brazil’s deforestation has long been in the limelight of global scrutiny. The vast topographical change is concerning, but with the agricultural industry so important to the Brazilian economy, it’s easy to see there are incredible economic incentives fuelling the destruction. Commodities grown in Brazil vary… Read More
Waking to the clatter of wind against the house, a dark sky and a still-sleeping sun never feels like a good omen. On June 5th, the early morning grey was entirely worth the effort, as I joined the Alberta Farm Writers’ Association on their annual tour. 1st Stop: Lakeland College Our first stop continued the northward… Read More
We’re about to embark on our third adventure in Brazil with Rob Saik, host of Agri-Treks and founder of Agri-Trend. We’ve explored Brazil’s Carnaval celebrations in São Paulo and Rio De Jainero, the favelas in Rio and now, we will experience the Port of Paranaguá. Located in the state of Paraná, the Port of Paranaguá has a long history, dating back to colonial times, as it was through Paranaguá that settlers first… Read More
In the last episode of Saik’s Agri-Treks, we toured Carnaval celebrations in São Paulo and Rio De Jainero and the statue “Christ the Redeemer.” We also learned of Carnaval’s significance to the favelas, where many of the samba schools are formed. Favelas are areas typically located on the periphery of large cities in Brazil, where those who could not afford housing within the… Read More
Every year, Brazil’s Carnaval kicks off the Friday before Ash Wednesday, which signals the beginning of Lent. The celebration is impressive, involving street festivals, masquerades and parades across the country. Perhaps the most notable Carnaval celebration occurs in Rio de Janeiro, with nearly 500 000 foreign visitors alone. The Carnaval is a celebration that involves all walks of life, ignoring cultural and sexual… Read More