Some parts of the country have seen more success protecting farmland than other regions, but when you add it up, Canada continues to lose an astonishing amount of farmland to urban expansion. The oft-cited statistic from the most recent Census of Agriculture is that Ontario alone loses an average of 319 acres of farmland every… Read More
Category: Rural Community
Research and extension organizations across the country have been at the centre of many agricultural communities for decades. In Alberta, organizations under the Applied Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA) umbrella are examples of the impact that can be made on the agricultural community by dedicated boards made up of farmers and industry. One… Read More
The division between urban and rural populations has existed for generations. It’s understandable—someone living in a one-bedroom apartment in downtown Calgary might find it hard to grasp the challenges a rancher faces to produce the high-quality ribeye steak on their plate. Conversely, that same rancher might struggle to relate to the Calgarian’s daily life and… Read More
There are a few things I remember clearly from my childhood spent in southern Manitoba. One, that my costume was always worn over top of winter gear, and, two, that we rarely bothered to pick up any candy to hand out — we were just too rural for anyone to bother stopping by to Trick… Read More
Rural crime has been a major issue for a long time, but vehicle and equipment thefts appear to be rising. Farms are often remote and don’t always have people around, making them a target for thieves. Farms are also situated miles from the nearest neighbour and much further from the nearest policing headquarters, so it… Read More
Farming boasts one of the shortest commutes — from door to barn or shop is often just a morning stroll, coffee in hand. But that’s only if you live on the farm; and while multi-generational farms are common, multi-family yard sites are less so. For many farms, there comes a time when building a new… Read More
Canadian farmers have a chance to win one of four cash prizes of $25,000 for a community project with BASF’s Growing Home with BASF contest. Opening today and running until March 18, individuals in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario can nominate organizations that help grow their communities. Nominations submitted by March 18 will be judged… Read More
It’s not every day that a country music star stops by RealAgriculture (though it does happen now and again, like when Corb Lund joined a LIVE!), so when Shaun Haney had the chance to speak with Brett Kissel, Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter, he went for it. Kissel is in the middle of releasing four albums, all… Read More
Health care is a top concern for all Canadians, but for those living in rural areas emergency care can be hours away by car. The STARS air ambulance service is one solution to emergency care, and a Saskatchewan event last month raised over $500,000 for this critical service. For the last six years, the Field… Read More
There’s something about us rural folk and the appreciation we have of just how beautiful our surroundings can be. For those of you that know me, you know that sunsets, sunrises, and a bright starry sky can make me take a deep breath in ways that not much else can. Lately, I’ve been stuck in… Read More