North Dakotans put ‘corporate’ farming to vote

North Dakotans put ‘corporate’ farming to vote

Voters back repeal of a law allowing corporate operation of dairy and hog farms

North Dakotans in a statewide referendum June 14 voted to repeal a law enacted last year that changed decades of family-farming rules in the state by allowing corporations to own and operate dairy and hog farms. Results posted on the North Dakota state government website put the unofficial final vote count from the ballot measure

farmer standing in a field with bales

The changing face of Canadian farms

A close look at the current census will give us a chance to examine the evolution of Canadian agriculture

Every five years, Canada’s federal government asks us to provide details on who lives in our household. The demographic information is used to guide decisions ranging from school planning to transportation infrastructure to government transfers. Among the census questions is one that asks if you intend to sell agricultural produce. This may strike most as


Editorial: A fine balance

Few would doubt the special nature of the agriculture industry. After all, it’s the only sector I can think of that rates its own census, and one of the very few which has its own federal and provincial governmental departments. There are programs such as AgriStability and provincial crop insurance and special dispensation in a

farm family

Diversifying the small family farm

The best way to avoid pitfalls in new markets — seek the advice 
of successful sector counterparts

Direct marketing grass-fed beef was how Colleen Biggs turned adverse beef market trends into an opportunity for her family’s ranch in east-central Alberta. “When times got really tough for us, we were doing the low-input swath grazing, bale grazing, everything we could to make ends meet on the ranch but when the market crash happened

NFU recommendations to protect farmland, tackle farm debt

1. Enact laws to restrict farmland ownership to individuals who live in the province the land is in and the same for incorporated farming operations, including co-operatives. 2. Provincial governments should monitor farmland ownership and report changes annually and also consider legislating the maximum amount of farmland an individual or incorporated family farm can own.


combing barley

‘Be the Difference’ is 2015 Ag Safety Week theme

Farm safety champion testimonials aim to inspire peers to adopt a safer work culture on Canadian farms

Be a better role model and set a higher standard for safety on your farm. That’s the message of Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, which kicks off in Prince Edward Island next week, urging farmers and those who work with them to become safety champions. The education campaign, held each year on the third week of

Local musician Del Barber sings about working farmers and rural life.  Photos: Meghan Mast


Agriculture enthusiasts descend on the town of Clearwater

Harvest Moon connects urban and rural folks through workshops, markets, concerts and more

After his father dies, a man leaves his family cattle farm to work on the oil rigs in Alberta. He works part time so he can return to tend to his pastures, bale hay and maintain his herd. This story is all too familiar for many Prairie ranchers, but this particular one is from Del

Province, city recognize UN International Year of Family Farming

Province, city recognize UN International Year of Family Farming

A flag honouring the family farm was raised at Winnipeg City Hall July 30

Provincial and municipal leaders gathered at Winnipeg’s City Hall July 30 to raise a flag honouring the United Nations declaration of 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming. Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn joined Brian Mayes, city councillor for St. Vital, to highlight the significance of family farming on a


two women outside in winter

Farming’s In-Law Factor

Elaine Froese of Boissevain and co-author Megan McKenzie write about 
how to create healthier relationships on family farms

No farmer would sit on the tractor stuck in the mud, going nowhere and refusing to even try. So why do farm families remain mired in emotional muck that sometimes lasts decades, and still be unwilling to resolve it? Certified farm family coach Elaine Froese and conflict resolution expert Megan McKenzie use the analogy to

A report worth reading

We’ve been somewhat skeptical of some of the recent efforts by the Conference Board of Canada to wade into the food and farm policy realm, but we were pleasantly surprised by the newly released report Seeds of Success: Enhancing Canada’s Farming Enterprises. From our perspective, authors James Stuckey and Erin Butler, do a stellar job