Planting For The Future

There are many things that gardeners do which do not reward them with immediate results. As one senior gentleman told me years ago, “We plant trees for the next generation.” Indeed, unless you are substantially younger than I am, any trees you plant will not reach full maturity in your lifetime. It takes a certain

Keep The Learning Going

Mom, what exciting things are we going to do this summer?” my seven-year-old daughter asked. “I thought we would relax and read,” I replied. I was tired from the week’s activities. “Relaxing and reading doesn’t sound very exciting,” she said. She told me all about her upcoming school activities. To mark the last week of



Farmers’ Market Season Lifts Off

Those hungry to visit farmers’ markets again got their first taste for the 2011 season with a special kickoff last weekend at St. Norbert Farmers’ Market MAFRI staff were on hand to launch a special GPS challenge that jointly promotes visiting more farmers’ markets this summer as well as a second Open Farm Day scheduled


Plate Replaces Pyramid In USDA Food Guidelines

The pyramid guide to healthy eating that many Americans grew up with has been scrapped, and in its place the Obama administration is serving up a dinner plate icon sliced up by food groups. The U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled its new icon, MyPlate, recently to help guide Americans toward eating balanced meals. The dinner

Like Father, Like Son

High school rodeo is a place for young student athletes to become comfortable with competition and to get out and make new friends,” said 14-year-old Bailey Plaisier, commenting about the positives of being a member of the Manitoba High School Rodeo Association (MHSRA). Plaisier was drawn to the world of cowboys from watching his father


Start Composting

Starting a compost pile is as easy as following a cooking recipe. Just get the right ingredients together, mix well and let it cook. In a matter of months you’ll have finished “black gold” to mix into the soil of your flower, herb and vegetable gardens. Compost ingredients Compost is decomposed or well-rotted organic material.

Dwarf Lilacs — Perfect For A Smaller Landscape

In years past there were very few farm sites which were not graced with long rows of lilacs, some left to grow in their natural form and others clipped into neat hedgerows. The untrimmed ones put on a spectacular display of bloom in June and at the same time infused the farmyard with the wonderful


This One’s For You Dad

All spring, even before the last of the snowbanks finally disappeared, a meadowlark has frequently been on a fence post close to my back door. Not too significant, perhaps, but meadowlarks have always reminded me of my dad. He loved to hear them in the springtime and would stop when we were out walking in

Why God Gave Us Dads

He knew we’d need protection And shelter from the cold Food to eat and clothes to wear And memories when we’re old. He knew we’d need instruction To guide us day by day He knew we’d need a gentle touch When going our own way. He knew we’d need a champion When threatened by a