The provincial group representing farmers’ markets is back from the brink after nearly folding for lack of a board of directors this month. Things took a decidedly humorous turn at the Farmers’ Markets Association of Manitoba’s (FMAM) annual meeting here as names of persons willing to step forward were put forward over the weekend. A
Farmers’ market association assembles a new board
The Farmers’ Markets Association of Manitoba appoints four new board members
Dying with dignity a growing concern in rural areas
Local communities say local fundraisers are responsible for too much of the cost
Susan Stefanishyn knows how important quality time is for those who don’t have much of it left. As volunteer co-ordinator with the Russell and District Palliative Care Program, her job is matching volunteers to those in the community with a life-limiting illness. These caring individuals make a huge difference offering emotional and practical support during
Farmers’ market customers willing to pay for value
Vendors often sell themselves short by competing solely on price
Customers who seek out farmers’ markets or farm gate vendors are looking for value — not bargains, a provincial business development specialist told participants in the annual Direct Farm Marketing Conference here March 8. And what those who visit open-air markets or travel to a farm to buy direct value most is the experience of
Time for a rethink about outside investor land ownership
Nettie Wiebe says there are ecological and social consequences from investor-driven land purchases
The UN-declared International Year of the Family Farm is a good time to rethink global land tenure systems, a renowned Canadian public policy analyst says. Nettie Wiebe, farm leader and professor of church and society at St. Andrews College in Saskatoon told a Winnipeg audience recently there are long-term negative consequences of allowing unfettered access
Food manufacturers hooked on salt, fat, sugar, says speaker
Author Michael Moss says food companies have a real challenge making processed foods palatable without excessive amounts of three ingredients
When New York Times reporter Michael Moss started delving into why the foods we eat contain so much salt, sugar and salt, he didn’t expect his investigation to leave him empathizing with the food industry. “At one point I asked, ‘Everyone wants you to cut back on sodium because of high blood pressure. Why don’t
‘Farm teams’ of professionals more important then ever
The two-day conference focused on professionals and resources to support the farm business
The days when you could do it all are gone. That’s the message farmers took home after a two-day conference here focused on building a ‘farm team’ of professionals. Every business needs the input and expertise of professionals like accountants and financial planners, lawyers and lenders, and farm businesses aren’t any different, said organizers of
Federal government invests $3.4 million in farm safety
The funds will help the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association support education of farmers
A federal investment of $3.4 million over five years in the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) will fund more farm safety training and monitoring progress towards safer farms, officials said here last week. The funds support CASA efforts to implement the Canada FarmSafe Plan as well as initiatives such as annual national agricultural safety weeks
New on-farm meat shop near Miami not swayed by regulation
The Williments say attitude is key to getting such ventures off the ground
It was a combination of pragmatism and philosophy that prompted Wayne and Colette Williment to set out a year ago to build an on-farm meat shop. Wayne had farmed organically and raised grass-fed beef for over 18 years, while Colette brought her background in meat cutting to the enterprise. Looking for a way to diversify
Pilot Mound prosciutto makers start over
Dried meat seizure off the farm last summer brought a simmering debate to a boil
Six months after food inspectors raided their on-farm meat shop and seized their award-winning prosciutto, a Pilot Mound couple has learned all charges against them have been dropped. Clint and Pam Cavers, whose old-world-style sausage earned top honours at the Great Manitoba Food Fight last year, have also been given the green light to go
Most farms appear to have managed natural gas shutdown
Emergency measures plans put to the test after gas shutdown in southeastern towns and municipalities
One year ago — almost to the day — Trevor Schriemer walked outside to find his family’s greenhouse operation engulfed in flames. So when a natural gas pipeline ruptured near Otterburne and burst into flames early Saturday morning, his first thought was “not again.” “It was terrifying, all of a sudden you hear this massive
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
