Editorial: Cultivating trust

Nearly every farm conference agenda these days contains one or more speakers talking about consumer attitudes to farming, food and the agricultural sector’s “social licence.” The titles are often provocative, as in, “Will farmers be allowed to benefit from new technology?” or, “Don’t let your silence take away your licence to farm,” or, “Don’t let

Alan Levinovitz

Consumers seek paradise lost on grocery store shelves

Author Alan Levinovitz believes there is a role for storytelling in changing public perceptions of agriculture

What can a scholar of classical Chinese religions add to the agriculture debate? A lot as it turns out. Speaking at Keystone Agricultural Producers’ annual general meeting in downtown Winnipeg, Virginia-based author Alan Levinovitz said the debate around which foods are good for you and which are not has been going on for thousands of


Manitoba Egg Farmers, which in 2013 called a halt to installation of conventional cages, has publicly demonstrated enriched housing systems.  (Manitoba Co-operator photo by Shannon VanRaes)

Egg farmers to phase out cage housing over 20 years

Winnipeg | Reuters — Canada’s egg farmers plan to replace conventional hen cages with more humane conditions over the next 20 years, amid growing pressure from consumers, restaurants and food companies. The plan — announced Friday by Egg Farmers of Canada, an industry group that manages nearly all of the country’s egg supply — comes



New farm organization for direct marketers proposed

New farm organization for direct marketers proposed

Discussions now focused on possible partnership with 
Farmers Market Association of Manitoba

The Farmers Market Association of Manitoba (FMAM) may change its name and become the new farm organization called for in a report delving into supports needed for farms that direct market. About 50 people met last fall for a day-long meeting and consultation on how to create a more formalized group. “What we’re looking at

LIVE BLOG: Alberta FarmTech 2016

LIVE BLOG: Alberta FarmTech 2016

Event begins Tuesday, Jan. 26 and runs to Thursday, Jan. 28

Edmonton’s EXPO Centre at Northlands is the place to be for producers and the public during Alberta FarmTech 2016, running from Jan. 26 to Jan. 28. Want up-to-the-minute information on what’s going on at FarmTech? Check out our live blog page here! FarmTech features more than 50 sessions and a world class lineup of speakers providing attendees


Jolene Brown

Business interests can’t be dictated by family interests

Protecting both family and business interests can only be accomplished 
through prudent planning and ongoing dialogue

Ask Jolene Brown when the best time to start planning for farm succession is and you get a one-word answer. “Yesterday,” said the professional speaker and Iowa grain farmer. “It is never too soon to begin planning for the future.” Without a plan, the death of a parent can leave siblings fighting on the way

man eating meat

The link between meat and manhood

Meat has symbolized masculinity since the Stone Age

Researchers with the University of Hawaii have used crowdsourcing to raise funds for research into why men believe eating meat makes them more masculine. “Many men would gladly embrace the health risks associated with red meat rather than taking the slightest risk of being associated with the feminine attributes of a vegetarian diet,” said lead


Sleep deprivation can affect health

Sleep deprivation can affect health

Prairie Fare: Chicken and Biscuits Pot Pie

Mom, your feet shook!” my 12-year-old daughter said with a laugh. “What was that, anyway?” I asked groggily with wide-open eyes. She had dropped a heavy book on the wood floor near me to awaken me. The loud thump certainly worked. I’m lucky my family didn’t need a defibrillator because I nearly had a heart