If you’re considering starting or expanding a Prairie strawberry farm, autumn is the time to start sourcing and securing the plants and inputs you’ll need, a producer from one Alberta-based U-pick says.
Tag Archives Direct marketing
So you want to farm strawberries
Fall is the time for Manitoba farmers to set the wheels in motion for the 2026 strawberry field crop
Canada’s interprovincial trade push makes for strange allies
Breaking down interprovincial trade barriers has become a national group project among Canada’s provincial governments, and that’s made for some strange alliances
Breaking down interprovincial trade barriers has become a national group project among Canada’s provincial governments, and that’s made for some strange alliances
Imbalanced food system cuts into farm profit, advocates say
As Canadian grocery prices rise, agriculture advocates say farmers aren’t the ones benefiting
Canadian grocery prices have risen considerably. Where is that profit going if not to Canadian farmers?
Introducing Russell’s meat vending machine
New 'E Butchery' meat vending machine business lets consumers buy their meat in portion sizes they want, when they want it, direct from local farmers
The E Butchery on Main in Russell, Manitoba, introduces North America's first automated meat vending machine, offering consumers fresh, locally sourced meat in customizable portions.
Systems clash
Regen ag, consumer messaging and an agricultural schism
The point of marketing is to stand out from the crowd. Emphasizing the environmental angle of agricultural direct marketing is one way to do it. Agriculture’s environmental track record is under greater pressure from its customers and government. A recent example is the controversy over the federal government goal to reduce nitrogen fertilizer emissions by
Direct-market farmers on diversifying without sapping the joy from farming
Beat burnout by making decisions based on the quality of life you want, says author, farmer and chef, Shannon Hayes
How do you know when you’ve over-diversified the farm? The question came up during the Direct Marketing Conference, held virtually February 3-5 during a panel on diversification led by three farming women. Lourdes Still farms flowers she turns into dye for lavish wearable art and experiential tourism. Anna Hunter raises sheep, mills wool, and teaches
Women more likely to run non-conventional farms: report
EQUALITY | Access to land, social capital and difference in interests, skills may account for the trend
While women are less likely than men to farm in Manitoba, inequality appears to be lower for women in direct marketing or non-conventional farms, according to a recent report from the University of Manitoba. “There is a dynamic that women face that young men don’t face entering farming, but I also think that that’s changing
Creative pivots help small-scale food producers, sellers weather pandemic
COVID-19, hot and dry weather, grasshoppers and flea beetles made for a challenging growing season for Manitoba’s small food producers
COVID-19 threatened their markets and pests plagued their crops, but two small-scale vegetable growers say this has been a rewarding growing season. “In all regards, it’s been our best year,” said Chad Wiens, who, along with Laura Tait, runs Heart Acres Farm south of Winnipeg. When the pandemic hit Manitoba in March, it was unclear
Legal on-farm slaughter a potential boon for producers
Scale-appropriate regulation may benefit remote communities, create an entry point to direct market meat
Legalizing on-farm slaughter of livestock would be more humane, benefit remote communities and beef up producers’ bottom line, say two Manitoba producers. Recent regulatory changes in Alberta are “exactly what we’re looking for,” said Ian Thorleifson, president of the Manitoba Elk Growers Association. On July 29, Alberta announced changes to slaughter regulations which included the creation of an on-farm slaughter operation licence. The licence
U-pick operations to open with safety precautions
Online stores set up to assist sales of pre-picked berries
U-picks for strawberries, saskatoon berries and other fruits will open this June with safety measures in place, the Prairie Fruit Growers Association announced on May 20. PFGA, which represents 70 U-pick farms in Manitoba, has been working with Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development fruit crops specialist, Anthony Mintenko, to develop COVID-19 guidelines. “Some of the
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
