‘Home’ — Day 1
Our family farm is across that golden field of blooming canola, within the bluff of trees. My husband’s great-grandparents and their family came from Scotland and settled here more than 90 years ago. June 2019 marked 30 years of it being my home. Thirty years of farm life, and learning and adapting to challenges and rewards. I fell in love with my farmer and this vast, beautiful prairie landscape. We raised our two children here, cultivating values that have enabled them to follow their dreams. One day last summer on my way home I pulled over to take this photo. I’ve taken many in and around our yard, but never from this distance or perspective. This photo evokes many memories and emotions. Among them are gratitude and pride in being part of a family farm, caring for the land entrusted to us by our ancestors, growing food for Canadians and people around the world, all while making a living on the land we love.
Photo: Sandi Knight
‘Down to earth’ — Day 2
Some people see dirt, but this is soil — a living, dynamic ecosystem and the foundation of farming. Caring for it is crucial for growing healthy crops, now and into the future. Farmers work with agronomists and soil scientists to make decisions to keep our land healthy. We are continually learning how to best do this by testing our soils, choosing proper tillage techniques, rotating our crops, incorporating organic matter and reducing compaction and nutrient loss. Education is ongoing and when we know better, we do better. Soil type, texture, structure and density vary from field to field and farm to farm, so techniques to care for it will also vary. But ultimately farmers strive to be stewards of the land and do their best to care for the soil that sustains us all.
Photo: Sandi Knight
‘Hopper full of gold’ — Day 3
Harvest is the “red-carpet” event of farming, and the combine is the “star.” Supporting roles are for those trucking grain from the field to storage bins, making meals or going for parts when there is a breakdown. It’s an exciting time as you reap the rewards of a full year of planning, working and hoping the weather is favourable for growing healthy crops and allowing you to efficiently harvest them in top condition. This photo captures both the beauty and significance of harvest. The setting sun is over top of the “hopper” where the harvested seeds collect after they have been separated from the stems and leaves. It’s one of my favourite harvest shots.
Photo: Sandi Knight
‘Food in progress’ — Day 4
This is wheat in the early stages before it turns into the iconic waving fields of gold many envision when they think of this crop. As farmers, we do all we can to ensure that our crops flourish but despite our best efforts, we also need faith, hope and optimism. Ultimately, Mother Nature holds the key. The right amounts of rain and sunshine are beyond our control, as are hail, frost or other adverse weather that can damage or destroy our crops. But at this point, I choose to see the potential of this ‘food in progress’ — a healthy crop finding its way to flour mills around Canada and the world. A small portion is always reserved for my pantry, to be used in cookies, cakes and muffins.
Photo: Sandi Knight
‘Sunset check’ — Day 5
This is hands down one of my favourite farm photos. As with most, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I was out for an evening walk with our dog and as the sun was setting my husband stopped to make sure he had enough canola seed and fertilizer to finish the field he was working in that night. The light was magical and the cool spring air was still and rich with the scent of freshly worked soil. This photo evokes so much emotion. It speaks to the dedication and determination it takes to farm, and to the advancements we are fortunate to have compared with our ancestors. To how my life has been enriched by living here, being a part of our family farm and this amazing industry.
Photo: Sandi Knight
‘Remember when... ’ — Day 6
Cattle were a part of our farm until about 10 years ago. Our herd was small — only 30 to 40 cows and calves. This time of year would be filled with the excitement and challenges of cows giving birth. But there came a time when it no longer made financial sense to keep our small herd. We either had to acquire more animals, which meant a large investment in them, shelter, equipment and more pasture, or sell them and focus on grains and oilseeds. Economically, it was an easy decision. Emotionally, it was difficult. Cattle had been on our farm for generations. It requires dedication and a love for animals to work with them, and there are always those special ones that formed an exceptional bond with you. There were many mixed emotions the day they left our farm.
Photo: Sandi Knight
‘Patiently waiting... ’ — Day 7
Our dog, Sage, sitting attentively in the truck, waiting for the tractor and seeder to come around the field to where we are parked. We had brought lunch out to the field for my farmer. Sage knows he’s in there, and that there’s a good chance he’ll share a bit of that lunch with her!She is our second dog — both were city dogs that came from owners who were moving and looking for a good home for their much-loved pets. Both adapted to farm life well — lots of space to run and play, long walks and even tractor rides. It was a wonderful transition for them, but much more for us. Yes, they warn us when someone comes into our farmyard, but they also provide companionship. And when things go wrong — whether it’s machinery breaking down at a critical time or crops being damaged from drought, hail or flooding — our farm dog plays the role of counsellor, either with a goofy smile and playful greeting or simply sitting silently beside you, guiding your hand to the top of her head. That along with the unconditional love and joy she brings into our lives makes her a valuable member of our farm family.
Photo: Sandi Knight
‘Late-night harvest memories’ — Day 8
This photo was taken during harvest in September 2013. My farmer was hauling wheat from the field into the farmyard for storage. He needed a hand. Our daughter, 18 at the time, was helping. They’re pausing here, discussing something as they keep an eye on the equipment working to unload the wheat. It wasn’t the first or the last time she helped, but it’s the only time I had my camera to capture the memory, and for me it has #allthefeels.
Photo: Sandi Knight
‘After the rain’ — Day 9
No pot of gold here, but hopefully a sign of just the right amount of rain for the growing season. And ultimately, an abundant harvest that ensures those white storage bins in our farmyard will be filled with grain. We can do absolutely everything to the best of our ability, but Mother Nature holds the cards, determines the outcome — and our income, every single year. I’m not sure it’s a risk you ever get used to, but it’s a reality of farming and the reason we’re so acutely concerned with the weather. It’s the reason many farmers have traits of optimism and resilience to deal with those challenges and keep going year after year.
Photo: Sandi Knight
‘Where it all began’ — Day 10
This old black and white aerial photo shows our farmyard four generations ago. My husband’s great-grandparents settled here in 1926, a second move after immigrating from Scotland in 1922. They wanted a farm with trees, good drinking water and soil without stones. This site fits the criteria to make living and farming here better. Much has changed since but reminders of our past remain with some of the buildings repurposed or repaired. Old steel wheels and pieces of harrow bar grace my flowerbeds and garden. Picture frames have been made from discarded barn windows. Our kitchen table and chairs are crafted from wooden barn beams. It’s important to remember our history and to look back with gratitude on the hard work, determination and resilience of our ancestors. It ensured we could farm, make a life and a living here.
Photo: Sandi Knight
February 11 is Canada’s Agriculture Day, intended to showcase all the amazing things happening in our industry. It’s a time to create a closer connection between consumers, our food and the people who produce it. Sharing what you love about Canadian agriculture can be as simple as posting a photo.
For me, a social media “10-day farming-family photo challenge” last year was a great exercise in putting this into practice. Every day I was to “Select an image from a day in the life of farming that has had an impact on me, post it without a single explanation and nominate someone else to take the challenge — 10 days, 10 farming photos, 10 nominations, and zero explanations.”
These are my choices — the ones that affected me, stirred my emotions and made me reflect on 30 years of life on our family farm. They’re photos which I will share again on Canada’s Agriculture Day, along with others taken over the past year.
What pictures would you choose and which stories would you share?
